Player comments

Prelude
Apprentice
D10
PD30 “Piano Dulcimer”
D35
D300
D600
TriStander Hammered Dulcimer support system
Send us your comments

Prelude

“I’m enjoying every minute of exploring this great instrument!” — Mitzi Barker (Chugiak, Alaska)

Apprentice

An early impression of a new instrument...

“I love my hammered dulcimer. My 12-year-old twins are having blast, the first day too! I got to play it at 3 am. Thank you!” — Ellen M. Howse (Millersville, MD)

...and a later comment from the same customer:

“I teach music at a nursery school, children ages 2-5. Once I became more proficient, I brought the dulcimer in to play for the children. They enjoyed hearing me play but REALLY enjoyed actually playing themselves....My son, Christopher grabbed the hammers this morning and played his favorite song before running to the bus stop.” — Ellen M. Howse (Millersville, MD)

“Wonderful! So much to learn, but I played it all day and night when I unpacked it. A mountain brook in my living room. Thank you.” — Lynn Patten (Commack, NY)

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D10

“The dulcimer arrived in plenty of time for the holiday and was in perfect condition. I bought this as a present for my wife and she was both surprised and delighted with it. It appears to be exceptionally well crafted. The selection of materials with no defects, the finish, and workmanship are all exemplary. ... It’s nice to see something so well made when the pervasive mindset behind the products of our time are driven by economics to fail and thus power a marketing treadmill. You are building heirlooms of lasting quality that will be treasured by future generations. I salute you in that endeavor and trust you enjoy deep satisfaction by knowing that your work will survive as highly regarded.” — David Moniot (Chesapeake, Virginia)

“I have one of your amazing D10s, dated 10-19-82, number 942. She is still in wonderful shape, despite going through a hurricane. She still holds her tuning quite well, still sounds like a bell and I will never part with her. Your signatures are a bit faded inside, but she is a real trouper. As a 42-year-old Mom, it’s great for me to play for my kids now, and to have them learn to play themselves. The old girl is on her 2nd generation of players and I expect to pass her down (not as soon as my kids would like, though). I’ve never written or called your company, but I’d just like to say ‘Thank You!!’. I’ve enjoyed many hours with her.” — Elisabeth McCarthy (Algonquin, Illinois)

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PD30 “Piano Dulcimer”

I am having a blast! Have played piano for nearly 40 years, so this is new horizon. I've always loved the dulcimer’s soothing sounds. — Beverly Ridings (White Post, VA)

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D35

“I just bought a D-35 from Prussia Valley in southern Ohio. I LOVE this instrument and want to compliment you on it. I play a lot of different instruments - guitar, mandolin, and piano to name a few but I am now obsessed with this one. I can’t believe how beautiful it sounds. I’m just sorry I waited this many years to buy one and am glad I decided on one of yours. Prussia Valley sells a lot of makers but yours was by far the best sounding. You’ll easily get ‘free advertisement’ from me in this area. Thanks again for making such a fine instrument.” — Geoff Walker (Springfield, Ohio)

“Stays in tune ... beautiful wood & workmanship. I love it ... I’ve finally got my dream instrument!” — Sandy Sage (Wautoma, Wisconsin)

“This is a fine instrument. This one makes #2 that I’ve bought of the Dusty Strings line. Very happy with qualtiy.” — Jodi Adams (Tomball, Texas)

“It has a beautiful sound and is beautiful to look at! Great craftmanship!” — Karen Sterhkopf (DePere, Wisconsin)

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D300

“I thought you might like to hear about my recent experience with tuning stability of my D300, now 11 years old. I played 8 evenings at the Grotto's Festival of Lights between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve - outside, for 3 hours each time. Since I was playing solo, being a bit sharp was not a problem, and I only adjusted the occasional wayward string for over a month of going in and out of the cold like this. At the end, the instrument was still largely in tune and at concert pitch!” —Carl Thor (Vancouver, WA)

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D600

Joe Kreitzer and his D600

“My **third** Dusty Strings dulcimer.” — Joe Kreitzer (Shoreview, Minnesota)

“Beautiful workmanship ... I look forward to a lifetime of musical joy with this instrument!” — Shaine T. Luther (Sierra Madre, California)

“I’ve gotten many glowing compliments on the sound. The low bass notes have just the right sustain and fullness ... It’s also a very beautiful instrument to look at. It makes you want to just play and play ... The D600 isn’t much bigger or heavier than any other dulcimer ... they’ve somehow succeeded in doing all of this without making a big monster for you to carry around.” — Timothy Seaman (Williamsburg, Virginia)

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TriStander

“The TriStander has been a major advance over the scissors-type stand, which I had to guard from falling over. The TriStander is more stable—it’s just not going to get knocked over—and it’s also very small and light to carry, and very adjustable ... you can set it at any angle and height. It’s a great improvement.” — Timothy Seaman (Williamsburg, Virginia)

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Send us your comments

If you have one of our hammered dulcimers and would like to share your comments about it, please send an email with your name, location, dulcimer model, and comments to handcrafted@dustystrings.com. If your comment is used on our web site you’ll receive our heartfelt thanks!

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