The evolution of my mando / dulcimer hybrids.

Some of you know that I build somewhat traditional mountain dulcimers.





And somewhat non traditional mountain Dulcimers.





Nice instruments , but they are meant to be played lapstyle, while seated.

I wanted the sound of the dulcimer in a more compact and portable package,
so I converted a couple of cheapo Rogue mandolins with broken necks into what I was looking for.


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These were 25" scale length. They both had P Bass pickups and the A style had a piezo bridge as well.
I had a lot of fun with them at open mics



and eventually sold this one.

But as the arthritis in my left shoulder got worse, It was getting increasingly harder for me to play the 25" scale.
As luck would have it, the gods of flea bay heard my plea and guided me to a "The Loar" mandolin with a broken neck.
It was superior to the plywood Rogues in every way. Solid wood construction, carved back & sides.
So I snagged it and did my thing to it, but this time with a 21" scale length. It worked so well for me I just finished it's cousin made out of another broken "The Loar" One is diatonically fretted like the dulcimers, with three pairs of strings. The other is chromatically fretted with 4 strings.



These things are loud!
I'll never hack up another plywood mandolin again.

Pretty damn cool.

Hackmaster said:

Some of you know that I build somewhat traditional mountain dulcimers.

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And somewhat non traditional mountain Dulcimers.

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Nice instruments , but they are meant to be played lapstyle, while seated.

I wanted the sound of the dulcimer in a more compact and portable package,
so I converted a couple of cheapo Rogue mandolins with broken necks into what I was looking for.
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looks like giant slug

Awesome stuff, as always, @Hackmaster !

Ramo said:

looks like giant slug

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I knew I could count on you, Ramo!

LiveeviL2000 said:

Pretty damn cool.

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Thatbastarddon said:

Awesome stuff, as always, @Hackmaster !

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Thanks guys. Haven't been crafting many projects lately.

Hackmaster said:

Thanks guys. Haven't been crafting many projects lately.

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make signature series.... hackslag revolution