Orphic Airs Dulcimers

Dulcimer Family

Historically, the dulcimer is related to the ancient epinette, langspiel and "fretted zither" families, but is itself a fairly modern instrument. One story goes that immigrants, unable to carry unneccesary items like musical instruments, made them from memory and scratch when they entered the New World. This is as good an explanation for the evolution of it's design as We've ever seen, so We'll believe it.

This one has a bookmatched Sitka spruce top, maple fingerboard, mahogany sides and head. 7th fret. Quality chromed tuning machines (adding five-star planetary tuners adds $95 to the $250 price). This design was originally concocted for Ben House, the only player We've met who plays equally well in either position with the instrument. The long, sloping cutaway of the outboard side mutes the treble slightly to bring more low end and midrange tones out. Add/widen soundholes for extra brightness. Antique American finish pattern.

The Western Woods model is made from native Northwestern woods and can almost compete with a guitar for volume. Almost . . . Hand-carved signature headstock, quality chrome tuners, Delrin nut and bridge. ($275) Add $25 for the Rosette model

This one was custom made for Julie Langendoerfer of the Eugene Permaculture Guild and features a custom daisy motif and a backstripe of wenge and white maple, a hand-carved signature headstock, quality chrome tuners, Delrin nut and bridge. We can build one for you for $325)

Another Custom model, known around here as the "Wildwood Flower" model. It has a Sitka Spruce top, matching Oregon Walnut sides and back (highly figured), and a Walnut/Maple headstock and tailblock, the whole thing bound in Oregon Myrtle. Hand carved flower motif decorates the top. It was designed to have an antique appearance throughout and sounds just delightful! While the particular instrument depicted sold for $325 (top quality tuners and hand-selected, unique woods) the model can be had for as low as $225.

Some sketches made a long time ago, experimenting with a variety of designs, some of which we vow to actually get around to building someday soon:

Another sketch. This is essentially the Teutonic/Nordic version of the instrument called a Hummle or a Langeleik. To the right you can see the instrument into which it ultimately evolved. It sports 3 dual-course strings over the fingerboard, while 7 more fly off into a fan-shaped harp. Tuners are mounted on the top, the strings passing through the headstock to wind upon them.

Here's an oddball . . . It's a harp-dulcimer and probably not the world's first. Red Oak and Spruce, semi hollow-body electric. Ordinary dulcimer stringing over the frets and a seven-note harp alongside. This one was made for a lodge that uses the seven vowels of the Greek alphabet as a sort of chant.

Wanna see some photos of an exquisite French-made Carac Dulcimer that came through the shop?

Ever seen a "courting" dulcimer? Neither had we, until we saw this one on E-bay last December. Even so, we'd love to get our hands on some more images.

This is the beater, Danae's old standby. We've always been amazed at the sheer volume this thing can produce and it's his first choice when he has to be heard over hand-percussion and concert flute. The odd diamond shape results from modifying an hourglass kit to a more eliptical form. It is discretely electrified by a tiny pickup screwed to the tail end, driver's side. We can build you a prettier version of this axe for $225 sans pickup. Add $50 for a quality K&K pickup installation.

Click here to see what Mel Bay has to offer for this instrument. If you see some titles you like, download our Mel Bay Order form here and snail-mail or email it to us for a 10% discount on all their products!

NEW! Signature Series Dulcimer from Dänae

One of the most beautiful dulcimers to have come from this shop to date, this Signature Series Dulcimer from Master Builder Dänae sports a White Maple/Afr. Mahogany/White Maple back stripe detail, Cherry sides, back, head and tail. Figured Maple fingerboard, signature seagull-shaped sound-holes, inlaid position markers and an Orphic Lyre complete the detail. Unique shape provides an even loud tone. This model sports a set of Grover precision tuners and a high-quality glossy finish! You'll not find a better instrument at any price. $300, continental US shipping is free!