McNally D-33 Grand Strumstick

Up front I want to note that I have a Master's of music degree (in music composition) and played rock guitar/electric bass/synthesizer in my own band as well as the pit orchestra at college for several musicals. I can play the mandolin and a little tenor banjo as well as wind instruments. I know the ins and outs of a lot of music styles (folk/rock/classic/electronic) and instruments.That said, I was pretty much unfamiliar the dulcimer and when I stumbled upon this variation when reading up on folk instruments from around the world. It's sometimes called the "guitar dulcimer" because of its guitar-like neck coupled with the string/fret set up of the traditional dulcimer.After finding some videos of people playing these instruments (both home-made as well as the Strumstick) on You-Tube, and hearing the complex chords and voicings some players were achieving -- with just three strings no less -- I decided I had to have one. I settled on the Grand Strumstick since I saw some pretty good reviews of it on the Internet.Three days later the box arrived at my door step.The Grand Strumstick at first glance seem a little disappointing in its size and weight -- almost like a toy, though nicely finished, handmade, with some nice touches like some inlay on the headpiece and some inlaid/cutout wood on the sound hole. But the body was tiny compared to a guitar or even mandolin. How could it possibly be loud enough to hold its own with other instruments or a singer?Well, a few strums showed my fears were unfounded. The Strumstick kicks out the sound. In fact I was amazed that something with such a small sound box could make such a large sound.If you haven't heard the Strumstick, it's tone is a lot like a tenor banjo -- which also is somewhat of a surprise given its wooden body and small size.It really is easy to play. My only problem is that when switching back to playing a mandolin or guitar, it takes a few moments for my mind to change gear to the complexities of chromatic fretting and playing the melody across strings rather than mostly on the high string (this switching of mental gear becomes shorter as I get used to the process).The construction and design of the Strumstick displays great ingenuity and elegance. The design simplifies construction without compromising on the instrument's music-making abilities. For example the neck has been carefully leveled and the frets placed right into it rather than gluing a fret board to the neck. This makes perfect sense (especially given the accuracy of modern cutting equipment), yet was still a surprise when I noticed it. Why hadn't someone done this before? Perhaps they have, but this is the first instrument I've ever own that was made this way.Likewise the "head" is really just the neck with three holes drilled in it and tuning pegs screwed in place; simple but effective. Given that splits often result in the extended head sections of an instrument, this undoubtedly makes for less waste at the factory and also likely will add to the life of the instrument as well.The nut rather than being a plastic or bone section (and a part that often breaks on guitars and other stringed instruments) is simply formed from the top fret wire with tiny grooves cut into it to keep the strings in place; simple, elegant, and it works perfectly.The bridge is a single piece of wood and when I saw it I thought, "Oh, oh." Yet when tuning the instrument and testing the fret positions against the harmonics at the octave, I found the bridge was perfectly placed -- one of the many nice surprises I had with this instrument.The Strumstick is easy to play and it really is pretty hard to hit a sour note (though not impossible if you start fingering more than just one string at a time). The trick in playing it with simple songs is to make the high "melody" string sing out a bit louder than the others -- but that was surprisingly easy to learn as well. So I would have to say that this is quite possibly, outside of perhaps a percussion instrument or a kazoo, one of the easiest, fastest instruments to quickly see results with. Not only that, the results are the ability to play a melody AND accompaniment, not just one or the other as is the case with many stringed instruments.Now one might think three strings would sound a little thin. After all most of us are used to hearing chords comprised of six or more tones on the piano, guitar, or other instruments. But in truth the human ear/brain has trouble hearing more than three tones at a time without a lot of training (and even then....) so for most people, three strings on the Strumstick can create the illusion of some very complex chords once you start fingering all three. The texture isn't as rich, but the rich harmonics of the Strumstick helps out so that once you've heard it for a few moments, the chords "sound" more complex than one would expect with just three strings.The instrument comes with an instruction video and booklet that shows you how to do some of these -- again allowing you to advance to some very complex sounding chords in a very short time.There are a few things worth mentioning. The small body of the Strumstick makes holding the instrument a bit awkward at first. It seems to want to twist face up (at least for me) and figuring out how to hold, strum, and finger the fretboard was a challenge. I tried a strap but that seemed to cause it to flop over on its back even more. Currently I'm sort of holding it with my strumming hand and thumb of my playing hand, resting the lower corner of the body on my thigh.There are no inlays to mark fret positions on the fingerboard. This might seem like a minor thing but I find it a problem. So I may add some sort of small markings on the top of the fretboard, though I hate doing this because the instrument looks so nice. But sometimes a little thing like this can make a big difference in performance and it is the quality of the performance, not the pristine condition of the instrument that listeners remember when it is all said and done.The chromatic frets are left off the neck -- that's what makes it next to impossible to play a wrong note. But that also locks the instrument into a few keys and also rules out any music that needs an extra half tone to play a melody (there aren't a lot, but a few). So it's limited, but that is also a plus when you're learning the instrument. And for me, that seems like a very good trade off. (Adding a capo isn't the solution some might think, although it does allow playing in a few more scales/keys, but it isn't much of a solution because of the lack of chromatic frets. A mandolin/tenor banjo capo is supposed to work on the Strumstick - but I have not tried this as of yet.)I should note that melodies tend to be played on the high string, so sometimes your hand does a lot of scooting up and down the neck, and fingers no little stretching to get all the notes in. Oddly enough, once you get the hang of this it works pretty well (and makes for a more interesting performance to watch). It does cause a little gear shifting if you play the Strumstick for a while and then switch to a similar instrument where the melody is spread across several strings. However, again, with practice and more familiarity this becomes less and less of a problem. (If a guy wants to play the melody across the three strings rather than using the two lower strings as drones, this allows much easier use of the instrument. This might be ideal when using the Strumstick in a group where a guitar or other instrument was handling chords, allowing the distinctive sound of the Strumstick to carry the melody. In such a case I suspect alternate tunings of the string might also add to the flexibility of the instrument.)I want to make it clear that the drawbacks I've mentioned above are all very minor. The pluses of this instrument, from its light weight, low price tag, high quality, and ease of playing, are immense. It's not only a great instrument for beginners but also a nice instrument that a professional musician should consider adding to his bag of tricks, both because of its unique appearance as well as its distinctive tone and ease in learning to play.I'm very glad I bought my Grand Strumstick. It's one fantastic music maker.

Im gonna say the plus sides first. It's a light but sturdy body. It has a nice unique sound and plenty loud when played with a pick. If you're familiar with DAD then in 15 minutes you'll be a campfire legend. Would fit in well at a camp fire jam as long as the songs were in the right key. Down sides, too expensive for what it actually is. It's nice but maybe worth $125 or so, shipping included. Mine came with a glop of glue on it that bothers me. The strings easily push/slip off tge edges of the neck. Don't get me wrong, I do like it over all. I am having fun playing it.

I LOVE MY STRUMSTICK! I'm a 69 year old grandmother who plays the ukulele and banjo ukulele in a local ukulele orchestra. As I approach my 70th birthday I've been working on checking off items from my bucket list. One of these was to also play the dulcimer.After doing a lot of research I purchased the McNally D-33 Strumstick. The instrument is very easy to play and a lot of fun. It comes with excellent instructions to help you start playing. It has a gorgeous sound, is well made and keeps its tune.Whether you're new to making music or you're an experienced musician, I think you'll like the Strumstick too.I've attached the recording so you can hear the sound of the Strumstick. It's made VERY well and has a gorgeous resonance. It tuned up easily and incredibly is keeping its tune. As a ukulele enthusiast I'm used to buying a new uke or strings and waiting weeks for the strings to stretch and settle in. Not so with my Strumstick.I highly recommend this instrument for anybody who is interested in making music. You don't have to be a virtuoso or even be able to read music to make pretty music.Enjoy!

Arrived with a broken strings.

I have a G-29 for a few years, and love it. Take it on vacation, campsites, really fun to get a campfire singalong going! Wanted the deeper sound of the Grand D, so order this. Couldn't be happier! as usual Bob does excellent work on his instruments, and this one along with my G-29, gives me the full sound I am looking for! Buy it, I highly recommend it!

I love my Strumstick, shoulda bought one years ago, has a banjo /mandolin sound, and immediately transports you up into the mountains, what a cool little instrument, and so simple to play… good quality too!

Great is all I can say but the cost is to high I feel, It is small thus do not be to disappointed when you get it, But as with t others it is easy to play.

I saw one of these 25 years ago in a small shop in Helen, GA and wanted one, but didnt at the time. Over the years I have mentioned it to my wife..Finally last week I bought one for my 19 year old boy who has decided he wants to play an instrument. In 3 days he and his 18 year old sister, by just spending a little time with the instrument, are playing 3-4 songs each. Plus playing rhythm for a few others. We had family over for lunch after church and they both played now everyone in the family wants one. Get ready Bob M.. they may go fast. This thing has been a complete joy for my family. I just ordered the Kid Picker for my 5 year old grand daughter and think I am going to have to order one for my daughter too as they both want to sit around and play it all day. I want to get one for me too..