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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.

Prelude

Prelude

Dulcimer Video Page

Overview

  • 2½ octaves
  • laminated Finland birch soundboard and back
  • traditional 5th-interval tuning
  • 12/11 configuration

The Prelude is the perfect setup for a beginning hammered dulcimer player. Built with a laminated Finland birch soundboard and back, it is an exceptionally sturdy, stable instrument that offers a sweet, balanced sound. The 2½ octave, 12/11 arrangement corresponds to all the well-known instructional materials. The Apprentice model is the same instrument, but with black finish.

The Prelude comes with the basics to get someone started playing: single-sided wooden hammers, a T-handle tuning wrench, note indicator strips and the Hammered Dulcimer Owner's Guidebook. Additional options include a case for protection and transportation, and choices of playing legs or folding stands for supporting the instrument.

Prelude: $545 (includes T-handle tuning wrench, regular single-sided wood hammers, note guide strips, owner's guidebook)

Compare Dulcimer Models

Complete Price List

How to Order

Options

Burgundy-colored padded soft case for hammered dulcimer

Padded carrying case

Price: $175
Hammered dulcimer support options include this folding wooden stand Variety of stand and leg choices

Tuning & Specifications

Range

The Prelude, Apprentice and D10 have 2½ octaves of range; the lowest note is the G below middle C. There are 12 courses of strings on the treble bridge and 11 courses on the bass bridge. This configuration is often referred to as 12/11. Easily available keys are G, D, C and F, along with their relative minors. There are a variety of chromatic notes available in each key.

Tuning and Strings

String chart for Prelude, Apprentice or D10 hammered dulcimerSuperscript numbers indicate octaves (C4 is middle C). Dots indicate marked courses. All strings are plain steel with loop ends, and the wire gauges are shown in inches.

Click here for downloadable string charts and string ordering information.

Dimensions

  • Hammered dulcimer diagram with top and bottom rails labeledBottom rail: 38½ inches
  • Top rail: 20 inches
  • Height: 15 inches
  • Thickness: 3¼ inches
  • Weight: approx. 13 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

Reviews

Reviews & Testimonials

1 Review(s)

  • David
    Apr 7, 2018
    I bought my Prelude on a trip to the US from the UK in '99, having been captivated by the sound of the dulcimer playing on the Rich Mullins Homeless Man film. It's still going strong today with a beautiful tone. It's the perfect entry level instrument which came with helpful instructions for the complete beginner. I'd love to progress on to one of the chromatic models, but I'll still keep my Prelude.
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"I'm enjoying every minute of exploring this great instrument!"

-Mitzi Barker (Chugiak, Alaska)

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