The first time I heard a hammered dulcimer, I knew I had to learn to play it.  I could not afford to buy one at the time so I had to build my first instrument. That was over 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve built several hundred hammered dulcimers, continually revising and improving my designs.

The instrument I am building now has a slightly arched top and adjustable tone bars inside, with solid maple pin blocks and frame rails of various hardwoods such as walnut or cherry. The top is usually mahogany or spruce. The soundhole rosettes are based on a celtic pattern.

Normally I build this in a 15-15 configuration (15 sets of treble strings and 15 sets of bass strings).This is the same as a 15-14 but with an extra low bass string. I normally tune that string to a low G but it can also be a low A.

This instrument, with a set of hammers and a tuning wrench, sells for $950. I normally have one in stock or I would be  glad to talk with you about custom options by phone or email.

276-755-3808
j.sebens@yahoo.com