I say this is a great learning tool not simply because it has an easy learning curve and can sound good in a novice's hands, but because there are so many things that can be learned about chord structure when one starts to experiment with unauthorized tunings. The fact that it has only three strings is not a drawback, though sometimes I wish the fretboard was a bit wider for bending. The sound is great and if you get really into it there is a sibling version available with fretting like a guitar ie all the notes. I have one of each and love both.

If you enjoy Mountain Dulcimer but prefer to hold your instrument (like a guitar) rather than sit it on your lap this is the trick for you. Sound is Banjo-Dulcimer and I still cannot believe the amount of volume this is capable of generating for it's size. I do more picking than strumming with mine and find it very easy to learn and play new melodies by ear. Traditional folk songs and Christmas carols are a snap. I just play for my own entertainment but I think that this instrument would be perfect for campfire singing, or Christmas caroling, or anywhere you would want something portable and easy to play. Quality is good and the tuners are smooth. The strings that come with it are actually quite good. I just replaced mine after eight months of playing and they were still good enough that I kept them for emergency replacements. The instructional CD that came with mine was very informative. I did have occasion to e-mail the manufacturer with a question regarding re-stringing and the response was almost immediate. Good product.

Wow, I have been playing a dulcimer off my lap for years and bought the Strumstick for the different sound. It's a piece of cake to play, and sounds really good. It is lighter than I expected, but I adjusted to that pretty fast and was doing my limited repitiore in half an hour. I haven't read the intructions or played the CD yet, but plan on doing so in the next month. This is a neat instrument.

Great instrument. Found it on sale at a Dulcimer Festival we were performing at near Dayton Ohio. I play mandolin and guitar, never enjoyed playing dulcimer. This will be added in to our trio so we can do a three part dulcimer tune. Easy to play but great possiblities for more advanced play!!!

I think of it as more a mountain dulcimer. The sound is pretty much the same. It is very lightweight, but quality is not compromised. Being very light, it can be hard to hold, and even casual strumming will cause it to move. I think the neck may weigh more than the body, actually.

I bought mine more as a novelty, and would much rather use my real dulcimer for recording and just playing for friends.