While driving around northern Georgia and into North and South Carolina to the "Gorge," we came across a shop called "Dulcimers" or something like that. And, boy howdy, wouldn't you know it but they sold Dulcimers. Maybe even hammer dulcimers. I was with an old roommate who is Dutch and he always referenced the hammer variety. Thus, your European reference might be right on.

Ferrick

> Almost all dulcimers are hand made. You can get a kit, but if there is a dulcimer factory somewhere, I don't know about it. I'm talking about the Apalatchian dulcimer. I understand there is an instrument called a hammered dulcimer, probably native to Europe, but I don't think I ever saw one.