With sadness I have to say that I had a frustrating experience with The Dulcimer Shoppe, the maker of McSpadden dulcimers. It was the first time that I dealt with this company. I ordered a Ginger short scale dulcimer, and the instrument that was shipped to me had two nicks-dings on the top. Ok, just cosmetic, but it bugged me. I wrote to The Dulcimer Shoppe and added photos. The owner answered that when they check an instrument before shipping they "do not use a magnifying glass"... which I think it is not the right attitude towards a customer who has a problem. He also said that he offered to fix the dulcimer, or that I was free to return the instrument, as long as I was going to pay for the shipping cost... Again, I am not sure this was right because I was not returning a perfect instrument just because I changed my mind, but I was returning an instrument with a cosmetic issue. Anyway, before deciding to return the instrument, I asked the shipping department how much they were going to deduct from my refund because of shipping costs. The answer was: $25.81. So I shipped it back. Today I received the refund, and they deducted $84.25 from it, for shipping expenses... that is more than 3 times than what I was told. I wrote to them asking to explain. Response: " Sorry for the misunderstanding. When I replied to you I was focused on the return shipping and not the previous one. Due to the fact that you are returning and not exchanging, our policy is that the customer pays for the shipping both ways. If you had elected to exchange or have it repaired, we would not have charged you the shipping". I would have much appreciated if they had given me this detailed info upfront, which they didn't. If I knew that I was going to lose 85 dollars, I could have chosen a different option, as having the dulcimer fixed or having it replaced. I am sad to see that they didn't do any effort to put themselves on the customer's side and understand my frustration. It looks like, for the Dulcimer Shoppe, a few dollars are more important than losing a customer for life. I am sure that there are many customers who have been very satisfied with their experience with The Dulcimer Shoppe and McSpadden dulcimers, this is one of the reason why I decided to go with a McSpadden. But in my case, unfortunately, It looks that I had bad luck. My frustration is not that I received an instrument with a cosmetic issue (it happens). It is the way I have been treated when I tried to resolve the issue. Confusing information about the amount of refund that led me to believe that the return would have cost me just 25 dollars, when instead I discovered a return policy that establishes that even if a customer receives a defective instrument, he has to pay both shipping charges if he wants to return it. Something that I have never seen applied by any other reputable maker. And something that it is not mentioned on The Dulcimer Shoppe web site... read more

Any musician, of any kind, must stop! Hand-crafted goodness! Mountain and Hammer Dulcimers made here. Walked in the door, within a minute a woman asked, "Do you play?" And when my husband said no, she said, "Then take one down and try it." Who says that about their hand-crafted babies?! My husband was in Ozark-music heaven! Everything about the Shoppe made him feel warm and fuzzy inside, like if grandma's chocolate chip cookies were a place. And even for a non-musician like myself, you'll appreciate what happens here. Their workshop is a separate room in the back, but with giant windows so you see the magic being made. Impressive through and through! read more

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I didn't have time to look around the whole shop or see em being made, but I got a free concert (demo) from a kind, skilled gentleman after his friendly wife made him come out and show me what a dulcimer is. Red River Valley, You Are My Sunshine, and I don't think I knew the second song. I wish I coulda come back before leaving town. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. read more

Located on the left just as you are turning into the Ozark Folk Center when driving from the town square in Mountain View, this place is a little gem. It's where they manufacture McSpadden Dulcimers. I never regret stopping by any time I visit Mountain View. You can watch the craftsmen at work through a glass window that makes up one wall at the back of the store. There is almost always a demonstrator / expert who will play and talk you through all the options around buying a mountain dulcimer. Prices are reasonable, and I always learn so much. Last time I stopped in I bought an electronic tuner and a capo for a really affordable price. I've taken perhaps a dozen people to this shop over the years, and it's always a highlight of our visit to this wonderful town in the Ozarks where music is king. The shop itself if filled with all manner of interesting things that the folks who work here are really patient and friendly. We asked about music and while they have lots of it for sale, they were quite happy to give us a printed handout with the best websites for free music sheets. http://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com/ 1104 Sylamore Ave, Mountain View, AR 72560 read more

Worth a stop. Friendly folks, Music, local musician CD's, instruments, local artisan wares, and a lot more.