Description
The Phoebe Chromatic sounds great, is amazingly durable, stays in tune, and is utterly reliable. And this Cherry Phoebe is our best Phoebe version yet!
Features
- 17/16/8
- Built with a lovely cherry veneer on a durable ply top
- Almost 100% American made, except the tuning pins
- Maple bindings, bridges, and pin blocks
- Cherry rails to match the top
- Sound holes in the back
- 42″ long, 19″ wide
- Weighs about 17 pounds
- Comes with hammers and T-handle tuning wrench
- Great entry level dulcimer
- Fully chromatic, extended range
- Can customize with your choice of Art finish (ask us about it!)
Stays in Tune Well for Beginners
Since the material is so solid, it makes the Phoebe stay in tune extremely well. An out-of-tune dulcimer will be unpleasant to play, which can deter beginners from breaking out their tuning wrench. They often see tuning as a daunting task, and may avoid playing as a result. Sometimes they will quit altogether.
Our theory is that a dulcimer that is in tune gets played more, and the player makes much faster progress. We have proven this theory over and over having introduced many thousands of people to the dulcimer with our instruments.
With a Phoebe hammered dulcimer staying in tune longer, this will keep you motivated to keep progressing! We also encourage you to watch tuning videos, check out our tuning resources, ask questions, and focus on having fun! Tuning will become easier with time.
Great Musical Range for All Players
Chris was thinking one day that the only thing that kept us from being able to make a really… seriously… reasonably priced fully chromatic three bridge extended range hammered dulcimer was the bridges. Chromatic bridges have angled holes drilled in them, and are very time consuming. That thought process led to a new and better way to make bridges, and eventually to building the first Songbird 17/16/8 Phoebe Chromatic.
This newest version of the Phoebe Chromatic is built on the same body as the regular Phoebe with the same cherry veneer on a durable ply top and with the new bridges. It has its own unique sound with clear trebles, and rich bass. This is a true break through both in construction, and price. There is nothing at all similar on the market. The full functionality of a chromatic, with deep, low notes on the extended range bridge, the durability and tuning stability of a Phoebe, and great sound all at prices for us normal folks. You won’t find a better dulcimer anywhere, just different… and more expensive. This is the only dulcimer you will ever need.
Finishing Options
We have many finishing options, so you can have a true custom dulcimer. There is the standard Phoebe finish, but if you want a really distinctive dulcimer, think about ordering one with one of our “Art” finishes. Contact us about Art finishes if you want one!
Click here to learn more about “Art” finishes and to view samples
Availability: We are a small Mom and Pop enterprise, and can’t have everything we make in stock all the time. We should have all of the accessories and small items all of the time. We also try to keep natural 
Curtis Thorpe –
My first dulcimer! I could not have found a better instrument for getting my wet in the world of the hammered dulcimer. I carry my Pheobe Chromatic all over the city with my modified back-pack case. On trains, buses, taxis, hikes up the mountain, going on tour, and more. It has held up incredibly well and it’s tuning remains incredibly stable and consistent. It’s sound is sweet and resonant. Thanks to Chris and Melanie for creating such wonderful instruments. I will forever be a fan! Cheers
Greg Norsworthy –
After extensive research I purchased the Phoebe Chromatic, not knowing how to play or even if I could play it. I found it to be easy to set up, maintain, and tune, and play it almost every day at home and at events probably 3 times per month. It has been extremely durable and people generally comment that it sounds angelic. My sister heard it and bought one also. For the value there is nothing out there even close. Also support has been fantastic. I would highly recommend it.
Adam –
My first dulcimer.I bought the phoebe chromatic hammered dulcimer. When I first received the dulcimer I had no idea how to play it after watching videos on youtube from Brett ridgeway learning for life hammered dulcimer lessons I could play a little now I know how to play it it got a fantastic and incredible sound it was my dream instrument I’m so glad I bought it I would recommend it to anyone to buy it. Thanks to Chris and Melanie for creating wonderful instruments. I will forever be a fan !
Songbird Dulcimers –
We are so happy to hear you dove right in to learning the dulcimer with Brett Ridgeway’s videos! He is an excellent teacher. And what a happy story that you were able to turn your dream instrument into a reality! We hope you are still enjoying the learning process and all the pleasure this instrument provides. Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts. Warm regards 🙂