A dulcimer is a stringed instrument with frets that generates beautiful and lyrical tones. Mountain dulcimers, sometimes known as lap dulcimers, are normally played on one’s lap, though some individuals play them while standing. Although it is widely popular in the United States, its origins may be traced back to Appalachia’s Scott-Irish settlers. It’s possible that the instrument is related to the German lap zither. Many music superstars, including Don Pedi, Robert Force, and Jean Ritchie, have used the instrument to create beautiful and uplifting music that will be remembered for generations.
Finding the best mountain dulcimer on the market to meet your needs is far from simple. To make your shopping experience easier, we took into account factors such as weight, scale length, size, and many others that affect the instrument’s performance and sound quality.
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Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer 4-String Vaulted Fretboard Spruce F-Holes
- Neck at Nut: 1.25 inches in width
- Neck at Body Joint: 1.25 inches in width
- Nut: 1.25 inches in width, made from sheesham
The Roosebeck Grace is a top-of-the-line, rough, and dazzling mountain dulcimer that’s ideal for newcomers still learning the ropes. Although there are identical models from other bands, most people choose the Roosebeck Grace because it is so simple to operate. Its eye-catching design and stunning polish are also out of this planet.
This rough mountain dulcimer, made of superior quality spruce wood, can survive repeated use and will last a long time. This magnificent piece’s body, bridge, neck, and fretboard are all made of genuine Sheesham. The Roosebeck Grace is distinguished by its domed fretboard, which enhances the soundboard’s vibration. As a result, the instrument’s sound quality and volume improve. This high-performance mountain dulcimer contains four strings, including a brass drone string, two melody strings, and one center string, as well as four mechanically geared tuners with a 14:1 ratio.
The Roosebeck Grace is a solid mountain dulcimer and a must-have for newcomers, although it does have a few flaws. For starters, it is not ideal for professional athletes even though it is a work of art. It’s also a little heavier than similar models from other brands. If you’re a beginner wishing to advance your skills, the Roosebeck Grace is the way to go.
Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG Dulcimer Guitar Natural
- Solid mahogany top
- Rock maple, string-through body.
- Rock maple neck, drive-through neck design
The Seagull Merlin G is a beautiful, lightweight, high-performance mountain dulcimer that is incredibly simple to play. It stands out from other models because to its elegant style, exceptional craftsmanship, and great performance. This extraordinary dulcimer was handcrafted in La Petrie, Quebec, Canada, and is meant to generate rich, exciting notes.
The Seagull Merlin G is a compact and lightweight mountain dulcimer, unlike other mountain dulcimers that are huge and unwieldy. You’ll be able to move it about with reasonable ease because it’s portable.
The Seagull Merlin G is a fantastic instrument that was created to create beautiful, uplifting music that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This striking mountain dulcimer is 14.75″ x 4.8″ x 7″ and has a solid mahogany top, rock sides, maple sides, four strings, a 20.75 scale length, 1.28 ” nut width, and 3.94″ waist length.
Without a doubt, the Seagull Merlin G is a fantastic instrument with many unique qualities. It does, however, have a few flaws. Some consumers have complained that the low G string grinds as they go up and down the neck. It is also unsuitable for professional players. The Seagull Merlin G will be an excellent option for you if you’re seeking for a portable, lightweight, and sturdy mountain dulcimer.
Applecreek ACD100 Dulcimer
- 6 1/2 Frets
- All Wood
- Laminated spruce top, back, and sides
The Applecreek ACD100 mountain dulcimer is a low-cost, lightweight, and highly effective instrument. It will astonish you with its stylish design, dazzling polish, and amazing performance. It is distinguished by its outstanding sound quality and attractive design. It may be used by both pros and amateurs because it can produce high-quality sounds. This instrument’s sides, top, and back are laminated with high-quality spruce, and it’s protected by a durable protective shell. Because the Applecreek ACD100 is durable, you can use it for long periods of time without concern of it breaking.
This high-performance mountain dulcimer’s fingerboard and neck are composed of durable and tough maple wood. Its strings are flexible, allowing them to smoothly slide over the instrument’s wood and generate wonderful tones. You can make wonderful notes with relative ease with this superb mountain dulcimer. You will be able to play the instrument with ease whether you set it on your lap or hang it with a strip.
The Applecreek ACD100 is an economical and excellent mountain dulcimer reviews, as you now know. It does, however, have a few flaws. To begin with, the tuners are a little too sensitive, and the pick that comes with it is a little too stiff. In addition, some users may find the string height at the bridge to be too high. So, if you’re searching for a high-quality mountain dulcimer on a budget, the Applecreek ACD100 is the way to go.
Johnson FI-220 Lap Dulcimer with Featherweight Case
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Johnson’s FI-220 Lap Dulcimer includes ornamental heart-shaped sound holes on the body, making it a particularly well-designed dulcimer. It is also a high-quality dulcimer, in addition to the design. This dulcimer model makes Appalachian mountain music accessible to everyone at an affordable price point for dulcimer playing.
This dulcimer has four strings and is crafted of mahogany for the body. The dulcimer is a small instrument with a small size that makes it easy to transport. A bespoke case is also included in the package, which adds to the instrument’s portability. The dulcimer has a 15-fret fingerboard and a scale length of 26 12 inches, making it a simple instrument to play. It is suitable for usage by not just novices but also professionals.
The product comes with a lifetime warranty, indicating that it is composed with high-quality materials and may be used for a long time. Some stores also have a seven-day return period, which makes it an even better deal for the best stick dulcimer.
Roosebeck Emma Mountain Dulcimer 4-String Vaulted Fretboard Spruce F-Holes
The Roosebeck Emma is a high-quality, lightweight, and robust mountain dulcimer made of premium materials. Most mountain dulcimer enthusiasts favor it because of its attractive design, outstanding performance, and superb finish. One interesting feature of the Roosebeck Emma is its lightweight vaulted fretboard and spruce soundboard, which allows for more sound vibration and good sound quality. This outstanding mountain dulcimer’s eye-catching form and superior craftsmanship will leave you speechless at this price range.
The Roosebeck Emma boasts a strong fretboard, body, and neck, as expected. This means you can use it for long periods of time without danger of it breaking. The Roosebeck Emma’s carved scroll peg head has melody string, two gold mechanical geared straight tuners, one bass drone string, and one middle string. Unlike the classic mountain dulcimer, which has three strings, the Roosebeck Emma has four. This allows it to make more complex noises. This wonderful mountain dulcimer includes a pick and an owner’s manual.
The Roosebeck Emma is, without a doubt, a piece of beauty, but it does have one flaw. The string slot in the pegs is relatively small, according to several customers, making it difficult for greenhorn players to operate. So, if you’re a professional mountain dulcimer player looking to step up your game, the Roosebeck Emma is the instrument for best dulcimer for beginners.
Roosebeck DME5 5-String European Mountain Dulcimer
- Fun to play, easy to learn
- Birch soundboard for outstanding performance
- Machanical tuners for easy tuning
The Roosebeck is a stunning instrument built of top-notch materials. Its one-of-a-kind design, exquisite craftsmanship, and exceptional sound quality set it apart from similar products.
The drone strings on this magnificent mountain dulcimer are drones, while the other two strings run over the frets and are precisely marked. It also has a birch soundboard and a rosewood frame. Unlike other mountain dulcimers on the market, the Roosebeck is capable of producing inspiring and moving music with ease. This is made possible by the instrument’s two well-cut sound holes, one on the front and one on the back.
A noter, pick, and extra strings are included with this mountain dulcimer. The Roosebeck is 33.5″ x 5″ x 2″ in size, weighs 4.75 lb, and has a scale length of 26.5″. Obviously, the Roosebeck is a high-end instrument with a unique design, yet it has just a few flaws. Some buyers have expressed dissatisfaction with the price. It’s also bulky and difficult to maneuver. Of course, none of this detracts from the great performance of this mountain dulcimer.
So, if you want a mountain dulcimer with a unique design and a slew of remarkable features, the Roosebeck is the way to go.
Applecreek ACD200 Hourglass Solid-Top Cherry Dulcimer Pack
- Body Type: Hourglass
- Cutaway: No
- Top Wood: Solid Cherry
The Applecreek ACD200K mountain dulcimer is a lovely, sparkling, and strong instrument that is suitable for both beginners and pros. Handcrafted in Europe by recognized and experienced luthiers, this premium mountain dulcimer is a must-have. It was built using the highest-quality materials and the most modern and precise construction techniques available. You can be confident that the Applecreek ACD200K will last you for years to come because it is composed of robust materials and assembled by professional experts with years of experience.
The Applecreek ACD200K is ideal for recording and professional presentations. It’s also quite simple to set up and use. This rugged mountain dulcimer’s fingerboard and maple neck are composed of sturdy, long-lasting wood. Unlike rigid-stringed versions from other brands, the Applecreek ACD200strings K’s glide effortlessly over the maple and produce rich notes. This is an excellent mountain dulcimer, although it has a few flaws. To begin with, it is expensive, especially when compared to other companies’ models. It also features plastic knobs that aren’t guaranteed to endure.
In the end, the Applecreek ACD200K is a fantastic instrument that is ideal for both students learning to play and professional players wishing to advance their skills.