Description
We believe the 16/15 Phoebe is the best sounding, most reliable, full size entry level hammered dulcimer on the market today. And this Cherry Phoebe is our best Phoebe version yet!
Features
- 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 (Prefer sound holes in the front? Check out The Lady Victoria’s Nomad Package)
- 42″ long, 19″ wide
- Weighs about 17 pounds
- Comes with hammers and T-handle tuning wrench
- Great beginner dulcimer
Stays in Tune Well
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 people to the dulcimer with our instruments. This is why we strongly recommend the 16/15 Phoebe to most folks interested in the hammered dulcimer, especially those that aren’t already accomplished on other 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.
But the Phoebe isn’t just for beginners. It can do almost anything musically a dulcimer player might want to do. They are durable, stable, sound good, and are extremely reliable.
The Characteristic Songbird Sound
All of our instruments are designed to have a “middle of the road” sound. They have relatively low “sustain”, but with enough of that brightness to sound good like a hammered dulcimer should. They work equally well playing fast fiddle tunes, or slower hymns.
An instrument with high sustain will start to sound “muddy” when playing faster melodies; the notes will muddle together until it is hard to hear clearly. These dulcimers can sound wonderful when playing slow melodic songs. On the other hand, a very low sustain dulcimer can work just great for fast songs, but sound dead on slower ones. In this case, there’s too much space between the notes.
But our instruments are designed to work equally well in all situations. They are not a compromise, but we firmly believe we are making the best hammered dulcimers money can buy.
The Phoebe: Durable, Reliable, and the Perfect Full Size Starter Dulcimer
So unless you are planning on purchasing another dulcimer later (for instance a Chromatic dulcimer or one with more decorations), this is the model that we believe will last you into the next century. Your grandkids could be playing and enjoying it far into the future! It is that good.
Check our Return Policy before you buy.
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 
daniel pokorski –
I got the Phoebe so my wife could play one of my favorite tunes (Music Box Dancer). Her 14/15 could not get to the higher notes. I ordered it on a Friday and had it the following Thursday. Chris and Melanie made this so easy!
Now, about the Phoebe; my wife is not a professional performer, by any stretch. But, you wouldn’t know it listening to her play. This dulcimer produces a very rich and deep tone. Well constructed and beautiful, it is also a fantastic piece of art, in itself. Very satisfied. Not only does ‘Music Box Dancer’ sound great, all the tunes she played on the original instrument now sound like she is playing in a studio or concert. Great instrument.
Alissa Frey –
My dad bought a Phoebe Songbird Dulcimer at a benefit Auction about 16 years ago. It has been well used and still sounds beautiful and has held up well. Excellent craftsmanship! I am planning to purchase new strings, and am excited to see how it will sound.
Songbird Dulcimers –
Lovely! So happy to hear the instrument has been well used and passed to a loving home. Were you able to get new strings, and are you still enjoying it? Thank you so much for your review. 🙂 All the best!