Cherry Spruce McSpadden Dulcimer | New/Old toy | Mountain Dulcimer

[@katherinenobles5034]

I have a McSpadden built in 1976. All walnut. The folks at the Dulcimer Shoppe are great at taking good care of her.

[@lanceriffle4841]

I have a Spruce-Cherry McSpadden. They all sound good. I can hear differences in Guitars with a side by side comparrison but not so much with a Dulcimer. At the last jam we had everybody go around and do a stum to listen to the sound. They all sounded good. Biggest difference was volume, not tone, a least to my ear. This I think is a good thing. Enjoy what you have. And this video was 4 years ago. The unit you have would be closer to 900 new I am thinking. I enjoy your channel.

[@markjeffords4041]

Sending a huge THANK YOU from Colorado for all the lessons you have thought. Tonight was the very first time I have ever sat in and played my banjo with others. Three guitars and a mandolin. Now they were awesome, and I hung in there. When we finished we got a big applaud. THANK YOU MANDY !!

[@BanjoLemonade]

That’s great Mark!! Haha, so much fun!

[@arieswaters]

I've just started playing dulcimer this week. I've always played guitar and I have a mcspadden and a Texas brand. So glad I discovered your Channel. So much good stuff to learn and I love the sound when I play

[@dorym8045]

I have your dulcimer’s younger sister. My full size standard McSpadden was built in 2020 by DeWayne Jolly. It is strung with 4 strings and is cherry with a spruce top and flathead with micarta fretboard. My tuning pegs are chrome however as are my strap buttons. When you played yours, it sounded just like mine, at least to my ear (although I don’t play as well as you by any means. ❤❤❤

[@jamesholmes7979]

Thank you for this great video. Love the tone of your Dulcimer. I just ordered a McSpadden chromatic Cherry/Spruce scroll top micarta. Can't wait to get it. Hope it is as pretty in appearance and tone as yours!

[@aaronflinner6431]

Are older Mcspadden dulcimers good? I just ordered a 1989 M12W walnut with Lynn McSpadden written on the sticker inside.

[@LynnKsCouture]

I found a spruce, cherry, ebony McSpadden flat head at a local store made in 2017 for $525 which is basically the online cost for a new one.

[@Cj-uq3kv]

I’ll Fly Away! Very nice! And all your other diddles! Like it a lot! How bout playing that Walnut beside that new one.

[@toddsherfey3652]

I forgot thank you. I've learned a lot with the banjo from your videos. So thank you and God bless you and your family..

[@BanjoLemonade]

Thank you for the blessing Colton! God bless you too. Glad you enjoy the videos.

[@georgealexander8661]

Got mine from McSpadden Bros, Mountain View, Arkansas..such a good deal, I feel like I cheated THEM!! Love it...Love it..LOVE it!! 🥰👌👏🌹❤

[@montycraig5659]

Mandy, you mentioned your extra frets, I am about to order one from McSpadden with the 1.5 and 8.5 frets. How would that change the way it plays, and what is the difference in they way yours, and this one will be set up? I got the idea for the frets from looking at the Seifert model of McAfferty´s dulcimer. I really need more info on how, what, and why we add extra frets. Thanks!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Doesn’t change the way it plays at all, just adds extra notes.

[@montycraig5659]

@@BanjoLemonade thank you for the speedy reply.

[@debraelder3217]

So, now that you've played with the micarta fretboard for a bit, what do you think of it? Does it still look good? Would you buy micarta again?

[@BanjoLemonade]

Micarta is a fine option. But - there’s nothing like ebony. It’s amazing.

[@arieswaters]

Love all your stuff banjo I hope you make a billion dollars and have all the happiness in the world. Seriously. I suggest that when you do those sound comparisons. You would do it like Scott Grove does with guitars comparing expensive ones and an expensive ones and and whatever they may be he'll show you what ones he's going to play and then he does not let you see which ones it is that he is playing and he plays each one and then you get to vote on which one you like best. Like when you play your cardboard dulcimer. The way to make it fair is don't let us know which one you are playing. Only let us judge by our ears. Godspeed

[@BanjoLemonade]

Great idea - tell Scott to send me some of his guitars and I’ll do it. 😂 Good idea though.

[@dr.jamesmartin2750]

very nice sounding instrument!!!

[@kathyscrazylife]

Would you show us how to change the strings on a flat head like that?

[@sunvalleylaw]

What scale is this McSpadden? I understand the "stock" ones are 28.5, but you can get them set up some closer to 26 as well. Thanks!

[@BanjoLemonade]

28.5”. I sold it, way to long for me. You’d have to buy it that way, you can’t set up a long scale as a shorter scale unless you move the bridge and that would have it in the picking scoop.

[@sunvalleylaw]

@@BanjoLemonade Thank you. I found you could order one from McSpadden with the shorter scale, but I found a used (well, purchased but never really used) 1998 FolkCraft CF-300 with Paduk backs and sides and spruce top (the sound I wanted after listening a bunch) with their shorter scale, so I went with that. Should show up in a few days, and I can start learning. I am a long time guitarist (Dad hack, but I have fun) and look forward to mixing it up with this cool sounding and looking instrument. Thanks for your vids. They helped, and you were the one that tipped me I needed to look at scale.

[@timothygrothen1101]

yes, nut and bridge are of micarta material...

[@938quilt]

Beautiful! Do you still play this one? I know you have some awesome ones from folkcraft❤ I’m doing my, um, never to support the dulcimer economy 😬😂 including dulcimer rescue of the oldies so I’m afraid mine can’t get a good workout 😂 but I’m learning and live strumming and noodling around

[@BanjoLemonade]

No I don’t actually. Sold both my long scale dulcimers. I play a much shorter scale length now and it’s a lot more comfortable.

[@newcreation55]

Hi! I'm catching this video a few months after the fact so I hope you see this. I have two dulcimers at the moment - one made locally in Gatlinburg (Mark Edelman) and an Ed Maze. Both were low in price. I'm taking lessons with Brett and also have been watching yours. I'm a bit discouraged with my dulcimers. For instance pull offs are next to impossible for me and I think it's because the sustain isn't very good on my instrument. I've thought about a Folk craft but you have me sold here with the McSpadden. What is the VSL for yours? My fingers are short so a 28 is difficult for me. What are your thoughts. I've had my dulcimers for 3 years but still feel like a beginner.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Have you discussed any of this with Brett? If you are taking lessons with him I bet he would like a shot at answering your questions. I know Mark, I took a class with him and built a dulcimer 5 years ago, nice guy. I’m going to do a video on that dulcimer also. Pull offs are in your fingers and not on the dulcimer per se (not sure if that made sense) but I don’t know how to describe it. Some dulcimers are just easier to play than others, but I have very TOUGH fingers from years of playing stringed instruments so I can do a pull off on a rock I bet. I do enjoy the McSpaddens, but mine are standard size with a 28” VSL. That’s too long for you, I’d definitely go with a 26” if I were you. McSpadden does have 26” dulcimers, and they are quality made stuff for sure. Now don’t forget about that little cardboard dulcimer either. Watch my videos on that little sucker because that is FUN to play. Have you tried out my Week 1, 2, and 3 videos? They don’t have to mean the week your year you are on. They can get you jump started again on the right track. Keep things simple and enjoy the process. Blessings, Mandy

[@newcreation55]

@@BanjoLemonade Thanks so much, Mandy for your quick response. I am a patron of Brett and am taking his youtube lessons. I know he is a McSpadden distributor so I'll ask him. I have met Mark in person although I actually bought his dulcimer off Ebay about 3 years ago. The dulcimer fell and broke part of the nut so I took it in to him to repair. A very nice guy. I've thought of your one on one lessons but my budget can't manage that right now. I love your personality and your faith in God! Thanks again and I will check out the week 1 -3 three videos you mention. I hadn't seen them yet. God bless.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Yes, Brett is a dealer for them. Ok no worries. Also in my Mountain dulcimer lessons playlist there are a lot of videos that talk about techniques and tips. Best to you, and thank you. May God bless your life as well!

[@newcreation55]

@@BanjoLemonade Thanks, Mandy! I'm working on week 2 right now - Skip to my Lou. I really love your teaching style! You are about to acquire a new patron! God bless you as well.

[@mikebadilla6970]

Nice Thank you

[@catherinelittlebear9863]

Amazing!

[@lmallard3788]

Looked like you were pressing on different strings with your left hand

[@toddsherfey3652]

How much would a beginner pay for a dulcimer?. On a fix income.

[@walteryoung2025]

I bought my teardrop dulcimer for a little over 200

[@BanjoLemonade]

Hey Colten! You can get these for well under $100. www.backyardmusic.com/dulcimers.html They get great reviews. I will be getting one to review soon also.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Have them add the extra fret for $2.00 also.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Hey Colten, I just saw an apple creek dulcimer that is all wood on Amazon for $48 with free shipping. I’d go that route I think. I may get that one instead to review.

[@donnagooch4049]

Sounds incredible!!!!! Love it.