This is a Romanian import, and I’ve come across several of them already. I’ve seen ONE that was actually playable. The frets are horrible - misplaced, crooked, not finished. Action is all over the place. It’s plywood, and not even musical grade plywood. And the highest “list” price I’ve seen for this is $99 with the case - and that’s about $75 more than it’s worth (the case is not bad!).
I emailed the seller asking (and apologizing if I sounded sarcastic) if he perhaps misplaced the decimal point when he entered the auction price. Did he really think the instrument was worth that price? His answer was:
“YES!”
Martin - if you want to see dulcimers, go to my website (in signature). Especially look at the “Sweet Woods Instrument” page. THOSE are mountain dulcimers. The Applecreek is a “DSO”. “Dulcimer Shaped Object”.
He has the frets set correctly to pitch, although the nylon tends to stretch a bit and not stay in tune well. He tried stringing it with metal strings, but the tension was too tight, and it would break.
There’s a whole “argument” as to whether things like banjimer, the “dulcinator”, and all ARE dulcimers. But - if you can’t get a decent pitch out of it - if you have to continuously retune it, if your fingers bleed when you attempt to fret it, then it’s a DSO.
On tuning - historically the dulcimer was tuned to the “voice” of the player, and it’s only been recently that “accepted” tunings have come along so you can play with other instruments. There is also a lot of argument on what THE tuning should be, we tune DAd (D below middle C, A below middle C and d above middle C) to allow us to capo and play in Em, G and A without retuning. My bass is an octave lower (D’A’D).
Hmmm. Let’s see. I could buy a DSO from ebay for $700 or a handcrafted one from you guys for $200. Seems like the choice wouldn’t be too hard You have very nice instruments.
I used to play mountain dulcimer. I have one that I got from folkfan on www.everythingdulcimer.com for less than $150 (which is now part of my future yard sale because I don’t play it anymore) and it’s an awesome instrument. Nowhere near $500.
I kept it tuned in D but since I never get to play with anybody else, I played dulcimer onto a tape recorder and then played whistle along with it and had my own little live music sessions.
Wow…that starting price is almost shocking. And their name…they concocted one that sounded sorta-kinda homey and comforting with vague echoes of respected makers. Arrgh. My kit-built student dulcimer looks better than that critter in the case…At least there aren’t any bids. :roll:
No, it’s a “music-grade plywood” one a friend built years ago, not because he needed another dulcimer but just to see if he could build one; when I told him I was wanting one of the cardboard ones – I think they look sort of cool too–he was appalled, and kindly gave me his, instead. It’s ugly but sounds fine; okay for a learner. It was for the best; the dogs would have torn up a cardboard one immediately.
I notice he says it’s never been played. Probably not for lack of trying.
Gentleman’s got quite an assortment of items there, including a particularly large collection of “sexy–women items” (not to be missed!).
I especially liked the alleged “Sterling Silver Serving and Snack Tray,” which appears to be aluminum and molded glass. I think I saw one just like it at the Dollar Store.
Tis truly one of my favorite stores. They have such pretty and simple journals. I’ve bought…hmm…about 7 of them. And I found all kinds of lovely thank-you cards a whole pack (with envelopes) for $1. I am of the theory that one can never have too many thank-you cards bought up.
One thing I REALLY got a kick out of – the buy it now price is $750, about 3 times what most good dulcimers cost, and as much as the most expensive dulcimers I’ve come across. But they say “all sales are final, no refunds , exchanges” etc. Who on earth would pay that much for a no-name European dulcimer with a no return policy when you can get a heavily customized Blue Lion with all the whistles and bells for less?
They often have some good stuff. I cruise through regularly looking for choice items. The larger Dollar Trees here, especially the ones near the beaches, get a shipment of Pears soap in about twice a year. At $1 a bar, it’s a great buy! Doesn’t last long, though. The Brit shops buy the whole lot and resell it. (Same thing with English bone china teacups at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.)
They’re really good for toothbrushes and toothpaste, too. Multipacks of Oral-B and Butler, huge tubes of name-brand toothpaste, and good floss. You have to watch the toothbrushes, though, as they don’t always have soft bristles .
Oddly, a lot of the products seem to be imported. Italian toothbrushes, for instance, and South African toothpaste. Same brand that’s made here, but the labels clearly indicate they were manufactured overseas for sale overseas. You wonder why they would have sent it here to begin with. Especially to sell it for $1.
And baskets! They have nice little plastic baskets and things. Just before Christmas, they had really excellent stuffed bears.
You have very nice instruments.
Especially to sell it for $1.