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Dulcimer Shoppe no longer offers the Special option:

Prior to May 2006, the primary features separating a “Special” from a standard model were:
  1. The standard model had a plywood back and the Special had a book matched solid wood back.
  2. The Special model had Mother-Of-Pearl position dots and position dots were not offered on a standard model.
  3. An ebony overlay was an option on Specials. Ebony was not offered on standard models.
In May, 2006, changes were made to McSpadden standard models that made the Special option obsolete. McSpadden standard models (except for Schnaufer models) built after that date all have solid wood backs. An ebony fretboard overlay including MOP position dots is now available on any standard model. (Position dots are offered only in conjunction with the ebony overlay).

Features And Option For Custom Dulcimers:
  • Additional wood choices are offered for custom dulcimers in addition to the walnut or cherry body and the walnut, cherry, redwood or spruce options available in standard models. Additional woods that may be selected include curly maple, quilted maple or koa.
  • Even if you choose woods that are available in standard models, we select the best and most attractive wood pieces to use for customs and take extra care to match color and grain to maximize the visual and acoustic properties.
  • A custom dulcimer has an ebony overlay on the fretboard and if it has a flat guitar style peghead it has ebony overlay there also (no overlay is available on a scroll style head.)
  • A custom dulcimer has Mother-Of Pearl decorative inlays in a 3 leaf “fleur-de-lis” pattern on the peghead (flat peghead style only) and at the 3rd and 10th frets. This is in addition to MOP position dots at the 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th and 17th frets. Other inlay patterns are available through an outside inlay specialist.
  • A custom dulcimer has inlaid black-white-black wood purfling around the edge of the soundboard.
  • A custom dulcimer has a contrasting ebony joining strip inlaid into the center book matched back joint.
  • A custom dulcimer has a higher gloss finish than offered on standard models.
  • A deluxe case is included in the price of a custom dulcimer.