Andrew Mountain Dulcimers

Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Hummingbird Dulcimer Solid Walnut
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 15:12:16 +0100

Hi Mickey,
Thank you for your quick response. I note the difference in price between the Hummingbird and Folkcraft cherry. Would you say that the Hummingbird is of a higher quality to justify the higher price or is the extra cost for the design? I would appreciate your opinion on both models - perhaps this is a difficult question - but which would you buy? It's difficult to buy an instrument without playing it and handling it so I would appreciate as much information as possible. I play mainly folk songs on my present dulicmer and I particularly enjoy chording and pick and strum methods of playing. Does the Hummingbird have a more mellow tone than the Folkcraft Cherry, and what's it like on volume? Would it be possible to have a pick up fitted and how much would it cost? Sorry to bombard you with all these questions. Thank you in anticipation of your response.
Regards, Ann

Greetings Ann,

I believe the higher cost on the Andrew Hummingbird AWHB-3 is mainly because of the solid spruce top...it does have both the bottom end and volume over and above most I've played...in fact, I'm trying to put up video samplers on this one soon...keeping in mind, it does have the volume and tone and does offer the more expensive woods...the finish is nice enough...the Folkcraft has an exquisite look and finish to it...you can assess this yourself by looking at our close-up images...

I like them both for different reasons...I love the exquisiteness of the Folkcraft...and I love the tonal range offered by the Andrew Hummingbird...I would have a hard time choosing between the two...and, therefore, I, myself would own both of them for different reasons...

The Folkcraft Cherry seems to have the mellower tone of the two...the Hummingbird has the volume...

Yes, we install the McIntyre Feather pick-up system for 150.00...and with the pick-up system, volume should no longer be an issue for you...

Hope this helps, Mickey