cgifool Says:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 @12:15:24 PM

The simplicity makes me want to try and make one myself :)

rumcreek Says:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 @7:56:29 PM

I was fortunate to meet Stanley Hicks in Macon Ga back in 1973/74 and went up to see him a few months later at his home which I remember being near Banner Elk NC. I spent two days with him and documented him making his dulcimers and a fretless banjo. He and I worked on one dulcimer and he gave me a "kit" as well. I also bought one of his banjos which was lost while moving in the late 70's. I finished the dulcimer we started together and still have it but never built the other. I have carried similar pieces to the one's you show here in the original cardboard wrapped in twine through countless moves for all these years and it's nice to see there's a cousin to it out there and continuing interest in his work and in his life. My dulcimer is walnut and cherry. The two I own and the others I saw being made had sides that were cut out with a band saw rather than steam bent. They produce a basic, thick sound but have certain real quality, authentic to that style and technology. So your unassembled "kit" is not the only one around but it is certainly one of the last. I don't know if you plan to build yours but enjoy it, knowing that, like Stanley, it is and was, one of a kind.

PDolce Says:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 @8:26:09 PM

Hi Gary- Thanks for sharing the stories. It is great to hear from someone who cares for these instruments. I would love to see photos of yours as time allows. Do you have any idea of how many kits Stanley made? I have been gathering accounts from people who knew Stanley at some level, to get an idea of how many instruments he was putting out or capable of putting out. I'd love to hear what you think about that. It's neat that there is another unassembled kit out there. I do not plan on assembling mine. I also have one of Stanley's chestnut dulcimers (photos on my homepage). I do not have one of his banjos, but I have been working on that for a few years. Do you have one of his banjos currently? Thanks again!

Paul