Life of Noveltea participates in affiliate marketing programs for products I love, including Amazon Affiliates. I may earn a commission on purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!
If you’ve been following the blog or my Instagram for a bit, chances are you’ve seen my Mize dulcimer and the newest addition to the family (a Blue Lion). Today, I want to share a little about Ron Ewing dulcimers.
Not sure what a mountain dulcimer is, exactly? Read this article to find out!
I bought my dulcimer years ago at the Western Carolina dulcimer week. Ron’s dulcimers are an excellent choice for beginners because of their playability, but they are also dynamic and lovely for experienced players.
Dulcimers with a unique shape
One of the first things that stands out about some Ewing dulcimers are their unusual shape. Dulcimers commonly come in an hourglass shape reminiscent of a fiddle or another style known as a teardrop. With Ron’s dulcimers, you have another option that’s a beautiful combination of the two: the Aorell.
Baritones and Dulcimettes
Ron also makes Baritone dulcimers that are larger and tuned to a lower pitch than standard dulcimers. Or, if you have a child interested in learning to play dulcimer, one of his smaller Dulcimettes is perfect. Dulcimettes are also great for traveling. They sound a bit more like a mandolin than most dulcimers, but are fun and easy to play for children or adults that favor a smaller stretch on the fret board.
Action and Ease of Playing on Ewing Dulcimers
My dulcimer is a standard Aorell, and I love it. It’s also one of my favorites to let friends play, because it’s kind to beginners. The strings aren’t difficult to press down to get a clear tone.
The length of the fretboard and spacing between the frets make it easy for most people to reach the notes. Also, the tone is bright and balanced, so new players can easily hear what they are doing.
Craftmanship of Ewing Dulcimers
Much like Blue Lion dulcimers, Ewing incorporates elements of guitar lutherie into his instruments. This means there is a very high level of craftsmanship and beautiful detailing.
He also favors using spruce or cedar for the top/soundboard of his instruments. Often used in guitars, spruce tops give a bright, resonant tone and extra volume.
Ron usually tries to keep a few instruments available for purchase, and he is also available to make custom dulcimers. He uses traditional or specialty woods and has quite a few options for custom work. Find his website here.
