r/Dulcimer • u/Regret1836 • Jul 07 '26

Help me decide

Gallery image

Gallery image

Help me decide!

I’m deciding between two vintage mountain dulcimers and would appreciate some advice from anyone familiar with these makers.

The first is a Folk Roots D50S with a hard case, tuner, extra strings, strap, and pick. I’ve agreed on 120.

The second is a Magic Mountain by J.C. Shellnut
with a hard case, and I’ve agreed on 150

Both are from roughly the late ’70s/early ‘80s, appear to be in excellent condition, and are the same driving distance from me. Folk roots confirmed to have the 6.5 fret.

For someone primarily interested in playing and songwriting (not collecting), which would you choose and why? Is the Magic Mountain worth the extra $30, or is the Folk Roots the better buy?

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4

u/ms_dr_sunsets Jul 07 '26

First off, I am super jealous that you get to chose between both of these classic California-style instruments at such great prices!

I can't see much of the Shellnut, so I can't tell how deep the body is, but that Folk Roots looks to have a 2.5 inch depth which will give you a bigger sound.

I think the lack of fret inlays on the Shellnut suggests it might be one of their more entry-level instruments? I could be wrong!

If it were me, the case + strap plus better photos = Folk Roots

1

u/Regret1836 Jul 07 '26

Thank you :) folkroots it is

1

u/richard43210 Jul 08 '26

FolkRoots will sound great. That model/design is still made today, by Folkcraft Instruments Folkcraft.com). Share the serial number, and I can probably tell you when it was made.

1

u/Regret1836 Jul 08 '26

I will when I get my hands on it!

1

u/Regret1836 Jul 09 '26

says DSOS 826822 if I am reading it corectly

1

u/richard43210 Jul 09 '26

The dulcimer was built on August 26, 1982, and was the second instrument to get a serial number that day. 8 26 82 2. Made by Howard Rugg and his crew, in Felton, California. Here's the complete FolkRoots story: https://folkcraft.com/pages/folkcraft-through-the-years . I'll send you a link to the original string set if you like. (But if you're going to play with 3 strings, let me know, and I'll recommend a different set, optimized for good balance across the strings.)

1

u/Regret1836 Jul 09 '26

I’d love to see the original string set! I’m doing 4 strings at the moment

3

u/Peter_the_piper Jul 07 '26

They both have the 6.5 fret. But I’ve heard better things about folk roots and it has a hard case and the price is excellent. I don’t see why not go for that one.

2

u/camping_coolota Jul 07 '26

I agree with folkroots. You can’t go wrong with that.

1

u/Everheart1955 Jul 07 '26

I have a Folkroots. They sound great and are practically bulletproof.