The Appalachian mountain dulcimer is the only original American musical instrument. As its historical antecedent, the German Scheitholt, traveled down the wilderness trail with European settlers, it gradually evolved into the instrument seen today in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia.

The Golden Wood dulcimers are made from all solid woods. Meant to last, they are designed and constructed using traditional musical instrument making methods employed in Europe and the world for over five hundred years.

The Golden Wood studio is located right on the California coast in Mendocino county and employs locally milled native & exotic hardwoods and softwoods in numerous combinations listed on the price sheet. Any blend of materials can be had on a custom basis along with all wood bindings & purflings, abalone & mother of pearl inlay.

The unique Golden Wood design is a combination of traditional Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer mechanical elements plus guitar/violin features. The popular teardrop shape has been used in conjunction with a short neck with either a peg box for planetary or friction tuners or a Golden Wood style flat headstock with Schaller mini tuning machines. The body of the Golden Wood teardrop is shorter but deeper than the traditional teardrop and has an arched back for strength and appearance. The instrument has been designed to accommodate both regular laptop and western style stand-up playing when used with a strap.