Best Dulcimers of 2025

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Dulcimers are a type of stringed musical instrument that have been used for centuries. They are known for their unique sound and are popular in folk music. Dulcimers come in various shapes and sizes, but they all have a long, narrow body and a fretted fingerboard. They are played by striking the strings with a small hammer, called a dulcimer hammer, which produces a soft, mellow sound. Dulcimers are easy to learn and are a great option for beginners or anyone looking to add a new instrument to their collection. They are also a great choice for anyone who enjoys playing traditional or folk music.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Dulcimers
Applecreek ACD100 Dulcimer
Experience the Applecreek 4-String Dulcimer, crafted with a laminated spruce top, back, and sides, along with a solid maple neck and fingerboard. Tuned like a guitar, this 31" dulcimer offers a 24" scale with 6/12 frets. Made in Romania, this instrument comes with a bundle including a gig bag, method book, strings, and a pick. The spruce body provides rich tones, while the geared tuning machines ensure precise tuning. Its compact size makes it easy to carry, perfect for beginners and experienced players alike.
Appalachian APD-1 Dulcimer
The Appalachian Dulcimer Starter Pack is an ideal choice for beginners eager to dive into the world of music. It comes with everything you need, including a convenient gig bag for easy transport, an adjustable strap for comfortable playing, a pick for strumming, pitch pipes for tuning assistance, and an instructional DVD to guide you through your first lessons. The dulcimer itself features a solid spruce top, maple back and sides, and a mahogany fingerboard, ensuring quality and durability. Its traditional shape and geared pegs make tuning straightforward, allowing you to focus on creating beautiful music.
Applecreek Solid Cherry Dulcimer Bundle
The Applecreek Dulcimer Bundle is expertly crafted from solid cherry, ensuring a rich, warm tone that enhances your music experience. With a 27-inch scale length and 18 frets, this dulcimer provides ample space for playing a variety of melodies, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians. Its hourglass body design not only adds aesthetic appeal but also contributes to comfortable playing. Equipped with high-quality Grover gold-plated tuning machines, you can expect precise tuning adjustments, which helps in maintaining the instrument's sound quality over time.
Jaromin Mountain Dulcimer KIT
Jaromin Dulcimer Kit is a build-it-yourself 4-string dulcimer with a cherry neck. The Baltic birch plywood body and cherry neck make it durable and stylish. The press-fit body allows for easy assembly without needing clamps, making it a fun hands-on activity for kids and adults. With 16 frets and a double melody string, you can create a fuller sound. Its small and lightweight design is perfect for travel and storage. This DIY kit includes all hardware, printed instructions, and a pick for a complete experience.
Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer
The Roosebeck Dulcimer features a neck width of 1.25 inches at both the nut and body joint, providing a comfortable grip for players of all skill levels. The nut, made from durable sheesham wood, ensures smooth string action and enhances the instrument's sound quality. With a scale length of 25.5 inches, this dulcimer allows for easy playability and versatility in music styles. Additionally, it comes with four tuning pegs, enabling you to quickly adjust the pitch and keep your instrument in tune with ease, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced musicians.
LPD-ACD200K Cherry Mountain Dulcimer
The LPD Cherry Mountain Dulcimer is crafted from solid cherry wood for a rich, warm sound that enhances your musical experience. Its 37-inch total length makes it a comfortable size for playing, while the 2-inch body depth contributes to its resonant tone. With a scale length of 27 inches, this dulcimer is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players, allowing for easy finger positioning and smooth playability. Plus, it comes with a case, ensuring that your instrument is protected during transport and storage, giving you peace of mind as you take your music on the go.
Jaromin Boondocker Dulcimer Guitar
The Jaromin Dulcimer Guitar features a beautifully crafted Sapele Mahogany body, neck, and top, providing a rich tone that enhances your music experience. With 8 frets, including a 6-1/2 fret, you can enjoy a wider range of notes, making it easier to play your favorite songs. The vintage-style pearloid tuning knobs with open gears ensure that your instrument stays in tune effortlessly. Additionally, the Katalox bridge paired with an adjustable Corian saddle allows for low action, making it comfortable for you to play without straining your fingers.
Roosebeck DMTSL3 Trail Dulcimer
The Roosebeck Trail Dulcimer is a 3-string instrument that is both fun to play and easy to learn. It features a solid spruce soundboard, which gives it a warm and resonant tone. The ukulele style tuners make tuning the dulcimer a breeze, ensuring that you can quickly get it in tune and start playing. The compact size and lightweight design of the Roosebeck Trail Dulcimer make it perfect for taking on the go, whether you're going camping, hiking, or simply want to play some music outdoors. With its user-friendly features and portability, this dulcimer is a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.
Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer
The Roosebeck Dulcimer features a unique string configuration with two melody strings, one middle string, and one bass string, allowing you to create rich harmonies. The vaulted fretboard enhances sound reactivity, giving you a more responsive playing experience. Made with a spruce soundboard, this dulcimer not only looks great with its cream color and straight grain but also produces a warm tone. Additionally, the right-angle tuners with a 14:1 ratio make tuning precise and easy, ensuring your instrument stays in perfect pitch. These features combine to provide a delightful playing experience for both beginners and experienced musicians alike.
Roosebeck Hammered Dulcimer
The Roosebeck Rosewood Dulcimer is a beautiful instrument crafted by artisans worldwide. This dulcimer is ideal for those who dream of becoming world musicians. Its authentic materials give it an exquisite sound that resonates with your soul. The craftsmanship ensures a high-quality instrument that will inspire your musical journey. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this dulcimer will elevate your music to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the 2 types of dulcimers?
There are two main types of dulcimers: the hammered dulcimer and the mountain dulcimer. The hammered dulcimer is played by striking the strings with small hammers, while the mountain dulcimer is played by plucking or strumming the strings with fingers or a pick. Both types have their own unique sound and playing techniques.
2. Is a dulcimer easier than a guitar?
Yes, playing the dulcimer is generally considered easier than playing the guitar. It is easier to play chords on the dulcimer, and even beginners can learn to play melodies, harmonies, and simple songs. Advanced players can finger-pick complex arrangements and play various genres of music, including classical, folk, and rock.
3. Is it hard to play the dulcimer?
The dulcimer is a great choice for beginners as it is one of the easiest stringed instruments to learn. However, mastering the dulcimer can be challenging and will require practice and dedication. As you progress, the dulcimer will continue to provide new challenges and opportunities for growth as a musician.
4. How long does it take to learn dulcimer?
The time it takes to learn the dulcimer varies from person to person. Some people may be able to jam with others after three months of practice, while others may still rely on tabs after six months. It is an individual journey, and consistent practice and dedication are key to progressing and becoming proficient on the dulcimer.
During our dulcimer research, we found 24 dulcimer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,764 customer reviews through our big data system to write the dulcimers list. We found that most customers choose dulcimers with an average price of $231.07.
The dulcimers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of dulcimers, including Instrument Alley, Appalachian, Jaromin, Roosebeck, LPD-ACD200K. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 125 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.