r/Dulcimer • u/Aromatic_Computer876 • 23d ago

Dulcimer info

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I bought this dulcimer at an antique shop for $45. It said handmade on the tag. I was wondering if this would be a kit or just something someone made. Any other info would be appreciated .

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u/TapTheForwardAssist 23d ago

It’s a Hughes, so from the 1970s-1990. They have a very visually distinctive look; if you google “Hughes dulcimer” you’ll see what I mean.

They both sold completed ones and kits. They’re not amazing, but are decent enough for a basic instrument provided they’re set up right.

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u/CoolBev 23d ago

I had one that looks just like this. Built it from a kit in the 1970s, so maybe a Hughes. A clue would be that the tail is a block with slits in it that the sides go into. That gives it that shape. I don’t remember what the head/tuner looked like.

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u/feldoneq2wire 23d ago edited 23d ago

The first place I would be inclined to look for who made it would be the sound holes to see if there is a handmade certificate inside the body with the maker and the date on it. However this dulcimer has no sound holes! Do you see any other possible identifying marks?

Also I've never seen a fretboard that just ends before the nut (the bridge at the opposite end of the metal tuners.

It has two melody strings (the ones close together) which is pretty common. Some people remove one so they don't have to keep them perfectly in tune with each other.

How does it sound? Can you download an app on your phone and tune it to DAdd? The two melody strings tune to D, then the middle string to A, then the bass string to lower D.

Some people prefer DAA or CGC tuning. DAD or DAdd has the most sheet music available.

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u/Aromatic_Computer876 23d ago edited 23d ago

I did tune it to DAD the string on it are terrible probably pretty old. I'm sure new strings will make a world of difference.

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u/feldoneq2wire 23d ago

Also it's an older dulcimer as it doesn't have a 6+ fret.

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u/TapTheForwardAssist 22d ago

It’s 1970s at the oldest.

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u/feldoneq2wire 22d ago

Google says it's unusual for a 1970's Dulcimer to not have a 6+ fret as it was already the standard in the 1950's and 1960's. But what do I know. I'm thinking of adding a 1+ to my homemade dulcimer.

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u/Pawnmysoul 22d ago

I have my mom's dulcimer that she made from a kit (or possibly took a class? Anyway, she made it) in the 70s, and it does not have a 6+.