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To our Dusty Strings community,

In order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Washington state has mandated that all non-essential businesses close their stores and offices so that Washington residents can stay home as much as possible. During this time, we will not be in the office to answer the phone, but some of our staff will be able to work from home, and we will be as available as possible by email. We look forward to staying in touch with you, and appreciate your patience if we are slower than usual to respond to your questions!

String & Accessory Orders

We know that music may be essential for many of you to get through this period with your sanity intact, and we are doing our best to ship what we can, while adhering to the guidelines for isolation. We should be able to fill most string orders, and can ship some other small accessories, but our capacity and supply are fairly limited. You are welcome to place online orders during this time, understanding that your card will be charged, and that, depending on the items ordered, it may be several weeks or even longer before we are able to ship them. We will communicate with you if your order is delayed, and once it is safe to go back to work, the orders that were placed earliest will ship first.

Instrument Orders

If you are interested in a harp or hammered dulcimer, please contact us by email! We are not able to build or ship instruments in an isolated way, but would be happy to answer questions and offer guidance, and can put you on a waiting list to get in touch with you when we are back up and running.

Overture

Overture

Dulcimer Video Page

Overview

  • 3 octaves
  • natural or black lacquer
  • laminated Finland birch soundboard and back
  • traditional 5th-interval tuning
  • 16/15 configuration
  • also available as a package with a case and stand

The larger version of our popular and affordable Prelude model is also built with a laminated Finland birch soundboard and back, and has the same stability and sweet, balanced sound. Extending the standard 2½ octave range downward, this instrument opens up a wider choice of playing keys and affords greater versatility in arranging melodies and harmonies.

The Overture is available as an instrument only (including hammers and a tuning wrench) or as a package with a C45 case and folding sit-down stand, providing a complete ready-to-go option. There is also the option to choose black finish instead of the standard clear lacquer. (For an idea of what this looks like, see the Apprentice.)

Overture, natural or black: $695 (includes T-handle tuning wrench, regular single-sided wood hammers, note guide strips, owner's guidebook)

Overture Package, natural or black: $995 (includes above accessories, plus C45 case and folding sit-down stand)

Compare Dulcimer Models

Complete Price List

How to Order

Options

Burgundy padded soft case for hammered dulcimer

Protective carrying case

Price: $215
Hammered dulcimer support options include this folding wooden stand Variety of stand and leg choices

Tuning & Specifications

Range

The Overture has a three-octave range, and the lowest note is the D below middle C. There are 16 courses of strings on the treble bridge and 15 courses on the bass bridge - a configuration that is often referred to as 16/15. Easily available keys are G, D, C, F and A, along with their relative minors, and there are a variety of chromatic notes available in each key.

Tuning and Strings

String chart for Overture hammered dulcimerSuperscript numbers indicate octaves (C4 is middle C). Dots indicate marked courses. PB = phosphor bronze wire. PBW = phosphor bronze wound. All unmarked strings are plain steel. Wire gauges are shown in inches.

Click here for downloadable string charts and string ordering information.

Dimensions

  • Dulcimer diagram with top and bottom rails labeledBottom rail: 42 inches
  • Top rail: 19½ inches
  • Height: 17¾ inches
  • Thickness: 4 inches
  • Weight: approx. 14 pounds

Woods

  • Soundboard and back: laminated Finland birch
  • Pinblocks and rails: Eastern hard maple
  • Main bridges: maple
  • Side bridges and soundhole inserts: sapele or walnut

Compare specifications

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