Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop

Lisa Blair-Rogers

2024-01

I’m writing this review because I came here to read reviews before I decided to go and the reviews I read were not what I found. I think this place must have changed in recent years. I had read the Google reviews and seen the pictures here and had an expectation of a showroom with many dulcimers to choose from. The larger building that apparently used to be the store is now a church, according to the sign out front, and the dulcimer shop is a very tiny space. There were two other customers there besides me and my husband and it really couldn’t have held more than another couple of people. There were literally no instruments except a few hammer dulcimers and two mountain dulcimers that the owner’s daughter was demonstrating on. When I told her we were interested in a dulcimer made there, she pointed to three dulcimers on the wall behind the cash register and said her dad was a year behind on taking orders for them and that those were waiting for their owners to come pick them up. The two dulcimers she was demonstrating on had been purchased from some where else and they are reselling them but those two were what we had to choose from. The daughter was extremely nice but it was a very odd experience. I think they should update the webpage to indicate they no longer have handmade items to purchase on site.

Scott Cherry

2020-05

This is a wonderful store for handcrafted mountain dulcimers and hammered ones too. It's an Appalachian gem! Plus they are have a Saturday night Bluegrass jam session. A great Smokey Mountain attraction!

Dargie Arwood

2022-05

I had to call for an appointment. But they met us right away. It was fun and educational.

Bud Reagan (Nightowl)

2018-05

If you are looking for a dulcimer, this is a the place to look. I found a very nice locally made dulcimer with case. I was traveling so I had them ship it to my home. It arrived in perfect condition.

Frank Taxidermy

2022-05

Great little tourist store with very interesting musical instruments and possible to have a local musician play a few for you as we did

Joy Miller

2021-05

Had heard of this shop and how kind the owners were. We stopped in today and ended up buying a chromatic dulcimer after talking with Mike. They definitely lived up to their reputation, and the instruments they sell are beautiful. Bonus points for having the sweetest dog ever. ❤️ Visiting here was a highlight of our trip.

Tony Templin

2018-05

While spending the day with my young adult daughter, I decided to stop into this shop on our way back home, as she is an aspiring musician. I didn't know what to expect, but the visit was absolutely wonderful, with warm and friendly staff members. The selection of instruments (and accessories) was impressive, and beautifully displayed, and we were welcomed to touch and try anything we liked.After a 5 minute demonstration/lesson on a hammered dulcimer, my daughter was able to play....er, well, make pleasing sounds at least, from this instrument which neither of us had ever even seen before. :)I'll certainly consider future gifts from this shop, and intend to make it to one of the free evening concerts some day soon.

Mrs. Russell

2022-05

Had a wonderful experience! Called ahead and they had several dulcimers in stock. I found just what I was looking for and got a short beginner's lesson to get me started. Found a beautiful hand-crafted American Chestnut dulcimer I will use in my classroom! 😊

Mark Tidwell

2023-05

Very kind people very sweet people. I enjoyed my visit with wood and strings. I put one of the dulcimers on layaway there and will be picking it up very soon. Enjoy the town and the people at wood-n-strings

Ryan Fischer

2018-05

This place smells incredible. Great place if you like music or smells. They make many of the dulcimers in house so you can learn more about the instrument your buying. They also have a great selection of sheet music books, art, picks, etc. Ask for the quick dulcimers lesson. Worth stopping in even if you aren't going to buy anything.

Kevin Eckhart

2019-05

What a beautiful shop! Connie helped us directly. They have very finely crafted instruments and they provide an excellent environment for you to try them. I ended up selecting a Cherrywood Mountain Dulcimer. My wife selected one of their Lap Harps. All of their pricing is quite good given the hours of labor and love that went into these instruments.We live in California, so they will be shipping them for us, and we can't wait for them to arrive.Beyond the shop and the instruments, these are just great people. Connie, thanks for being so kind. If we lived closer, we know we'd be friends and be regulars on the "pickin' porch". God Bless you and we hope to see you again soon!Kevin & Terri

David Fowler

2018-05

I was staying the area last year for about nine months and discovered the shop driving home after spending the day in the hills. It was closed at the time and few days later I went back. What a great experience. I also went back for the Monday night jams. I made lots of new friends. I bought an instrument called a Banjammer. Sharon was so gracious as to give me some simple lessons.I wish that I could live and work in East Tennessee.

Freddy Beem

2020-05

Great professional and yet down to earth business people. I talked to Connie and Mike on the phone and completed a transaction while on the phone, with plenty of time taken with me. The dulcimer was shipped as I was told and it was very securedy packed . I have talked with them since asking for advice on a different issue and was surprised but was called by my name. I dont think I could or anyone else nterested in an instrument could find a better place to purchase from.Thanks for being so customer friendly ,which is a rarity today.

Karen Johnson

2021-05

Lovely little Shop with very friendly host. Items are gorgeous pieces of functional art, one more beautiful than the next. Nice sheet music selection as well. Such a sweet little find.

Jack Richardson

2015-05

Great Shop, I own two Mike Clemmer dulcimers which I love and have a third on order. The people are nice and helpful but when I use their online email form I get no return emails. I'm sure the form is not working at this time as knowing their service I'm sure they would return my inquiries.

Linda Powell

2020-05

What a blessing to have met Mike & his wife. He showed me many things about the Dulcimer and how to play it. Ordered one and so excited to get it and start learning to play it. Such a blessed visit there.

Richard L Matthews

2020-05

We got our start in the mountain dulcimer universe right here. Now both my wife and I own, strum, and love our Clemmer dulcimers. It's sad that they are only open 3 days a week now, but you can still find superb mountain and hammered dulcimers and other instruments, accessories, music, plus other things in their shop. Can't wait to get back sometime!

Ethan Hodges

2019-05

Wood-N-Strings is my MOST favorite instrument shop in the East Tennessee area!! They've got so many beautiful handcrafted instruments, and the staff is so helpful and kind! Especially Lynn. I honestly feel right at home there and I come in very often just to play the Ukuleles, Microbasses, and Dulcimers. They have a great selection of books for learning just about anything that you can think of! 10/10 I would recommend

Jim Vail

2020-05

Mike and Connie are long time friends. Mike is an amazing artisan and musician. Connie is the sweetest and both have been kind wonderful friends through the years. Their shop is amazing and reflects the heart of the Appalachian....hope vail of Baker, FL

Renee Jacquemain

2022-05

My only experience with this buisness was via internet. I give it a 3 because you can select "catalog" but when you get there there's not one price shown for any of the instruments. Sorry, but I don't trust any buisness that hides costs while encouraging you to "just give us a call."

KAT P

2018-05

It's a beautiful place. They are very friendly and helpful. There was a lady giving a dulcimer leason while my husband and I were waiting to get my dulcimer restrung. It was so relaxing to walk around and hear a dulcimer playing. The man who restrung my dulcimer.....if only I could play like that!!!

kevin zelhart

2019-05

Excellent shop. They have both mountain and hammered dulcimers, as well as lap and Celtic harps, withers, mini basses , native flutes, and beginner's steel drums. The owner, Mike Clemmer, is a builder of mountain dulcimers, and a dulcimer banjo hybrid called the banjammer. The staff are very helpful, and will take time with beginner's to show them how to play

Mark Boyd

2018-05

Delightful shop with very friendly and knowledgeable staff, beautiful dulcimers and other handmade instruments from different instrument makers. If you're in the area, it's a great stop and a living, breathing education.

Debbie Blair Williams

2017-05

Mike Clemmer is much more than a musician. The craftsmanship and artistry shown in his hand-crafted dulcimers is unsurpassed.With his wife, Connie, he's built a music shop unlike any other. Many stringed instruments, music books, recordings, and accessories are offered by a warm and friendly staff. It's likely that you will hear an instrument being played, probably while showing others how to play a mountain or hammered dulcimer. And, on most Saturday evenings, a free concert is offered on the pickin' porch.It's a fun place to visit that I would hang around listening and learning forever if only there was time.

Ned & Tracye Baber

2019-05

Friendly and helpful folks and a real cool place. I bought a mountain dulcimer and I love it. Plan on attending one of their Monday night jams soon.

Claire Dienst

2022-05

Great selection of music books. We also purchased 2 dulcimer cases. Great customer service!

John and Carol Thomas

2018-05

If it's in his store for sale, you are generally asked if you would like to attempt to play them ( Musical instruments)! And they are very nice folks to deal with !

Ernest Rackley Ivey

2021-05

Fantastic owners that love their craft so much that they will keep the store open after closing time just to share with us about their handmade instruments. Their passion shows

Don Eisenberg

2019-05

This is an amazing place! Wonderful selection, and they are happy to show you around and demonstrate the instruments. You should drop by even if you are instrumentally challenged like me!

Clan Mack

2019-05

Awesome shop. Mike and Connie are very knowledgeable and very helpful. The concerts on the Pickin' Porch are relaxing. I highly recommend this place.