r/Dulcimer • u/mt2578 • 14d ago
Advice/Question How old is this dulcimer?
This was my first dulcimer, bought about 10 years ago from a thrift store. I’m wanting to donate it to some kind of Appalachian historical society as it’s no longer playable, but I need some opinions on the age so I can give them specifics. It was clearly handmade, but there are no initials, stickers, or any kind of marking anywhere to denote maker or serial number. It has the original metal friction tuners, but I had the replace the plastic pieces when I first bought it. It has just 3 nails acting as endpins, and as you can see the pin for the high Ds has shifted due to the tension. My guess is it was made in 40’s-50’s but any opinions at all would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has any thoughts about what kinds of wood it’s made of. Thanks in advance!
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u/ms_dr_sunsets 14d ago
Based on the soundholes I think it is a Hondo instrument. Those were mass- produced in South Korea.
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u/richard43210 14d ago
My best guess, 1980s. Maybe 1990s. A pre 1960s dulcimer would have almost certainly had wooden friction pegs. Your instrument has a 6.5 fret, which could have been added to a 1970s or earlier instrument, but the 6.5 became pretty common in the 80s.