FS: Darkstar Dulcimer - Not a uke but interesting to ukers

You probably saw me post this in my Mandobird listing. I just picked it up because it is so cool. But alas, I can hardly play my uke with any competency much less this instrument. So, I'm going to keep focusing on my uke playing and let someone else play with this. I bought it from Eric Holland at DarkStar for an amazing $295.00 plus shipping and that is what I'm going to let it go for. In addition, I had a nice gig bag laying around that this just squeezes into so I'll let you have it too for free.

Here's its link: http://www.darkstarguitars.com/index.php?id=176

Since it is so long, shipping will not be real cheap so I'll split it with you. Let's say $330.00 for the whole package, dulcimer, nice gig bag and shipping.

I also have a Epiphone Squareneck Deluxe Dobro that really isn't a uke that is for sale or trade.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254909

PM me here or e-mail me: dprovines@provines.net

amazing dulcimer. You have some video? I don't found anyone

Which model, I don't see dulcimers listed.

rbeetsme said:

Which model, I don't see dulcimers listed.

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It is the one that pops up when you click on the link. http://www.darkstarguitars.com/index.php?id=176
If not, click on the gallery link, dulcimers, and then scrolled solid bodies. It is the orange-ish starburst one.

fabioponta said:

amazing dulcimer. You have some video? I don't found anyone

Click to expand...

I don't have any video, I can't play it good enough to warrant making one.

If you're only an average player on the uke, how do you play a three string dulcimer. Same chords or what? Looks like fun and great sound...kind of like dueling banjos. I could get interested if I thought I could play it. How about some more info.

Here's a link to a guy playing a 3 string dulcimer. Some folks use a small stick instead of their fingers to fret the melody lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INu3UQ35yVk

The best way to explain it is to watch some videos. Thanks Tim for the link. It is tuned kind of like a dobro in open tuning but with only three strings in DAD. You cannot play every chord on this instrument because of the open tuning and the way the frets are laid out. For example, you cannot play a F chord. To compensate in a jam situation, you play the other notes in the chord but not the root F. Dulcimer music is arranged specifically for the keys this instrument can play in like G where there is an F#. Now it is possible to change keys using a capo like the guy in the video is using if you really know what you're doing, which I don't. The chord shapes are nothing like a Uke. This is a whole different critter.

Just to add on: the dulcimer (and its guitar-shaped relative, the stick dulcimer, an electric version of which is what's on offer here) is usually composed of 3 strings (sometimes 4, with the high string doubled), tuned 1-5-1 (DAD, GDG, etc, though other tunings are common), and diatonically fretted (i.e. only giving the frets to play a major scale, though usually with an extra "6 1/2 fret" for an added 7th). The most basic style is to play the melody on the high string while strumming all 3 - the 2 lower strings act as drones and with the open tuning and diatonic fretting, it's impossible to play a bad-sounding note. Of course more complex playing with 2- and 3-finger chords is also possible - you can get some surprisingly jazzy and sophisticated sounds, far beyond the Turkey in the Straw stuff you might associate with dulcimers.

The main disadvantages are that you can't pay those missing sharps and flats, and consequently you can only play in one key unless you either capo or retune (putting the capo at the 1st fret gives you a minor (technically a Dorian) scale, just like the pennywhistle scale starting from one note above the bell note).

Bob McNally's Strumstick is the most well-known stick dulcimer, but there are lots of makers of both acoustic and electric ones. I have two acoustics (a McNally and a Mole in the Ground) and an electric from Jupiter Creek, which I absolutely love. I would jump on this but the 26+" scale length would be too long for chording with my short fingers (plus I'm afraid I would poke an eye out on that headstock )

Want some videos of electric stick dulcimers? I couldn't find any Darkstar examples but here's a McNally, Zither, and Jupiter Creek (played by yours truly) to give you a taste of the possibilities of these fun instruments.

McNally electric strumstick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VrQpnYXhyo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQCkhV-NOwk

Zither wizard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0bMcRSh2j4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PetgK5B6-6g

Jupiter Creek strummer from downunder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qniV91TGKI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO6b5HSAvTk

Father's Day Bump- still for sale or Uke trade. I also have a Seagull Parlor guitar with case available. PM me for details.

Dulcimer is SOLD- Thanks folks.