Stoney End Mountain Dulcimer

The traditional Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is a lovely instrument with a delicate, sweet tone. Its name describes it best: "Dulce" is Greek meaning sweet; "melos" is latin for song. In the 1800's Appalachia, many daughters were named Dulcina, meaning "sweet one." No one is really sure of the dulcimers' origins, although there are references to a hammered dulcimer type instrument in the Bible. My impression from the books I've read is that the American 3- or 4-string Folk Dulcimer was made from any available materials in an effort to make music, so necessary to the soul.
At Here, Inc. we offer numerous styles of mountain dulcimers. You may choose from an hourglass or teardrop shape. At additional cost we have extra depth and courting dulcimers. A courting dulcimer has two fretboards enabling sweethearts to "make beautiful music together."

Our dulcimer bodies are made from solid black Walnut or Cherry woods. Choose between Spruce or Cedar for the delicate soundboard. Teardrop instruments are made with f soundholes; hourglass have have heart-shaped soundholes. Standard features include a 27-inch fret scale length, and a guitar style tuning head with machine tuners. Optional features available include a carved scroll head, fitted violin tuning pegs, rosewood veneer fingerboards, and 4 mother-of-pearl position markers.
We feature a standard lightweight chipboard case, as well as a standard grade padded bag.

Contact us and explore the world of these wonderful instruments. Also ask us about making a courting dulcimer for you and your lover.

St. Stephans Bodhran

The Bodhran, pronounced "bough-rawn," is the hand-held Irish drum which is used to puctuate the rhythms of traditional dance melodies. The rich bass texture of the Bodhran is finding its way into more and more of the music being played in the U.S., traditional as well as not so traditional.
Learning to play simple rhythms on the Bodhran can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time with an unlimited amount of more complex and subtle rhythms to master with practice and patience.

In Ireland the frame drum we know as a Bodhran has a history of use as a tray for carrying stuff mixed with its use as a musical instrument. The skin could have been a goat, as ours are, or a deer, greyhound, ass-foal, or even a horse. The wooden stick used for playing is usually known as a tipper.
Our Bodhrans are made from an 18-inch wood rim, wood spokes, and selected thick goat skins. The skin is tucked under and held on with 2 rows of upholstery nails. Each drum comes with a double-ended tipper and care and feeding instructions.