---I had the honor of building a dulcimer for Terry Duggins, a well respected and recognized professional mountain dulcimer player, here is what he had to say about his dulcimer"Wild Hearts"--- Aloha Tom, How are you? Wild Hearts is ku'aina (back to the land) and  I am amazed at the big sound it has and the sustained sound. The action is very good on it. Easy to tune up.  The craftsmanship is WOW! Really unique wood combinations. The binding is so great looking on it. The wood is awesome!  I took it to the studio tonight to show it off and my studio producer LOVED the look and the sound. He took it away from me and tried to play it. IM going to record with it on a song called,"On a white sandy beach in Hawaii." Because it has such a good tone. I am still just amazed how rich and full it sounds. The sound is really good. Hawaiian music is great played on dulcimers like that. Helps keep up with those 8 string ukulees..and your dulcimers have a lot of power. So you know where your dulcimer going to be played. Kana Ka Pila with the ukuleles. And concert stage. It's going to be one of my main dulcimers for stage. I hope you have a picture of the dulcimer "Wild Hearts" to show on your web site. And tell your wife big mahalos "Thank You" for the hand embroided wild heart on the dulcimer bag. That dulcimer bag is so kool..it reminds me of the sixties dulcimer bags. Jean Ritchie use to sell  those dulcimer bags with her dulcimers she sold in the 60' and 70's. Anyway its great idea to keep the dulcimer warm and safe. Mahalo nui loa -Terry Duggins ---He later wrote back and added--- Aloha Tom, more to say about your dulcimer...it has moved into slot number one as being one of my best sounding dulcimers. I have been carry it every where I go, in hard shell case of coarse. The woods are so beautiful (seven exotic woods used, I know I counted) and the tone is very big. I can pick the strings individually and you can hear clearly with other stringed instruments. My band noticed right away. They love the tone of it. And told me to play it  whenever we had concerts to perform. It is quite a dulcimer. Your dulcimer you made for me is able to ring out loud with other instruments, that it's self is more than most dulcimers can't do.  I am very serious  about this. Your dulcimers are awesome!!!  I love your design of the dulcimer.  (One note about your design, you don't KNOW it, I don't think, BUT it IS very old design you use, and the head of the dulcimer laid on the sound board is very old European style. That is what attracted me to your dulcimers. Is that old European design. The body style is yours YES I agree, but look at some of the 1400 century dulcimers from Europe. You'll agree?) That's a good thing. Your helping bring back that style. I would love for you to make me a Norwegian longaliek. Can you do that?  http://www.dugginsdulcimer.com/ Ke Aloha Meles~Terry Duggins Blame it on my wild heart... Terry Duggins recording with "Wild Hearts" Photos by Gregg Perry

---Here is what the owner of "Jule" had to say--- Tom,   I received "The Jule" today.  It is absolutely beautiful!  What a piece of work by the Master!  You are truly talented.  The entire instrument is a beauty - the contrasting redwood top, the soundhole carvings, the mahogany back, but I especially like the Mappa burl sides.  I just learned my first song on it and am enthusiastically looking forward to playing many more.  The sound is incredible!  I am fascinated by the the different wood combinations and how everything fits together so perfectly.  It really shows that you love what you do. Wishing you much success in all your future endeavors!  Julie

---Here is what the owner of "The Journey" had to say--- Hi Tom, I trust you folks made the trip OK and are recovering from exhaustion in your Texas abode. I'm also sure you wont be wanting to do that again. . . at least not anytime soon. My dulcimer arrived in great shape on Wednesday, 9-24. Seems that we didn't allow quite enough to cover shipping so I'll take care of that as soon as I get a mailing address. Tom. . . I can never thank you enough for your efforts (and the results of your efforts). While you kept me up to date on your selection of woods and their application, I had no idea that "The Journey" would be drop dead gorgeous. I'm glad we decided on the walnut top as the tone is just what I hoped for. Also, your use of the tail button as the pick up plug was quite ingenious. I realize that the name "The Journey" reflects much more than the move to Texas. The instrument shows to what point you have progressed and, as you move from a part time endeavor to a full time occupation, "The Journey" is a fitting tribute to this place in history and to your mastery of the craft. I am honored that you would entrust me with such a creation. I know you were in a rush to photograph "The Journey" and record a sound clip before you got out of Dodge. If you ran out of time get do the photography you had in mind just let me know. The attachments were done very quickly. . . threw an old sheet on the drive way and grabbed some fast shots. Guess what I'm trying to say is, if you don't have the shots you wanted for your web site, scrap book, or what ever. . . just say the word and I'll get serious about it.  Thanks again, Tom. . . Warmest regards to all you Texas Yocky's, Bob

--Here is what the owner of "Totem" had to say--- Tom,   Totem arrived a few minutes ago and I couldn't wait to let you know how much I love him!  He is absolutely the most beautiful instrument I have ever seen, and the sound is heavenly!  The storage bag is a nice compliment to the dulcimer and thank you lovely wife for that!  You two are truly a special couple with a special gift to offer others.  Hold onto your dream-there is no doubt in my mind that you will reach it!   In Friendship,   Debby  Later she added: Hi Tom,   Totem is awesome!  That's the only word that comes to mind to describe him!  Put me down as another truly satisfied customer!  The dulcimer, together with the bag is such a complete package.  You two are a great team!

--Here is what the owner of "Dragonfly" had to say--- Hi Tom, Dragonfly arrived this morning, safe and sound. I am thrilled. The sound is sweet and melodious and projects great and sounds even better than the sample you had on the net. I played that sample sound every day while waiting for Dragonfly's arrival.You are blessed for having this talent to make such an instrument. Thank you Anita  Soldotna, Alaska

---Here is what the owner of "MO" had to say--- Hi! Tom, I can’t tell you how much I love my new Dulcimer you made for me. It is so beautiful. It sounds so full and lush. I haven’t written before this as I haven’t been able to come up with words to let you know what it means to me.  I knew I was getting a Dulcimer for xmas or was pretty sure. At one point we were going to drive to the States and go instrument shopping as we have nothing here in Canada as far as folk instruments go. We have our own Audio /Video Custom Installation business and just didn’t find time. I kept checking out your site from the “Everything Dulcimer “market place. I told Gary that was really impressed with your work and so he checked it out and here we are. Thank you so much, I will love it forever. Our oldest son plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, my Dulcimers and you get the idea. He is here visiting for the holidays and in the process of trying to build a violin from scratch and is blown away with your work. I am used to a much smaller instrument so it is taking a little getting used to but I will enjoy that I’m sure. Thank you again,  Maureen ---Here is what the owner of "Sweet Thing" had to say--- Hi, Tom. I received "Sweet Thing" yesterday and I am delighted with her. I had listened to the audio sample before I bid and I liked the sound. Of course, it doesn't sound quite the same when I play. Ha. I'm working on scales. We went to a Mountain Music store in Kansas City last night to get a noter, a tuner, a "How to Play the Dulcimer" book and a book with "Wildwood Flower" in it. They didn't have any noters but they had everything else. The dulcimer sounds beautiful and looks beautiful. I am very pleased! Tell your wife I really like the storage bag too. As soon as I send this, I will leave very positive feedback for you with eBay. Thank you so much for this lovely instrument that I will treasure and enjoy. Best regards, Brenda  ---Here is what the owner of "Freebird" had to say--- Wow Sarah and Tom...it's beautiful! I am confident that my friend will just love it. Her birthday is January 10 and I just can't wait for her to open it and see it. The craftmanship in the dulcimer is fabulous. I bet that you stay very busy fulfilling orders! I will spread your good work around to others in my area. I love the bag for the dulcimer too. Together its wonderful. Thank you both very much. I wish that I knew how to play the instrument to fully appreciate it. I will let you know in January what my friend says! Gratefully, Helene

---Here is what the owner of "Serenity" had to say---  Hi Tom Serenity arrived yesterday.    She's beautiful!  And I have to admit the walnut is GORGEOUS! ;)  I love the maple strips and the olive ash burl mmmm..... I'm a very visual person so beautiful things really delight me. Working with wood must be so fascinating. Even more beautiful than the pictures.And she sounds wonderful and is very easy to play. So when I know what I'm doing a bit more it will be awesome!   Thanks so much Tom   BTW - here's another nice thing somebody said on the board   My wife & I each have a T. Yocky dulcimer. We have had them for several months & they are our favorite to play.We own over 12 dulcimers. All price ranges including some we made to 2 that are quite expensive. So far, none of them compete with the dulcimers that Tom makes. We like the ease of playing as well as the superb craftsmanship.The sound is just fantastic. http://everythingdulcimer.com/discussion/read.php?TID=783&page=2 Nothing better than word of mouth is there???   You should do a search for your name and read ALL the nice things.  You'll have to keep tabs on what people are saying.  You'll be famous... (and I knew him when...)   Peace and blessings Susan

---Here is what the owner of "Circling" had to say--- Tom, thank you!   Circling came to my door today and we were instant friends. I also had an infected tooth so I've not felt like playing much. What I have found is that not only do you build very beautiful dulcimers but also ones that have the purist sounds I've heard.   Circling is so far above the one from Fredrickburg that I'm not even sure they could be called the same instrument! Your's holds true tone throughout the scale. The frets are very easy to use. Just right for picking and strumming.   Something I had not told you is that I have essential tremor, a condition that makes me shake, kind of like Parkinson's disease. Your design has the wrist rest for the right hand and this allows me to strum or pick with out great effort to keep from moving when I don't want too.   Thank you, you've made an old man very happy!  Charles

---Here is what the owner of "Summer Twilight" had to say--- Hi, Tom--The dulcimer just arrived, and it really is spectacular in design, appearance, and sound. Your dulcimer is unique enough and such nice quality,I'd think you should certainly have a shot at making your dulcimers full time.  Best of luck!  Adair

---Here is what the owner of "Briar Rose" had to say--- Briar Rose arrived today, and what a perfect name! We knew she was a beauty, but she did have to sleep for a little while before she could sing, and she sings with the voice I was hoping she would have. To compare her to Proudfoot is to compare apples and oranges. They're both great, but different, and that's exactly what I wanted; Briar Rose's somewhat "bluegrassy" sound will nicely complement Proudfoot's rich "folksy" voice. You can be really proud of both of them, I know I am. And tell your wife the bags are now perfect. Edith  ---She then wrote again and said--- Just wanted to give you an update now that "Briar Rose" has had a chance to "open up" a little. Her "sustain" is incredible. It gives the feeling that music is just absolutely swirling everywhere, and each time she's played the sound gets better and better. Because of the sustain I changed the "melody" strings to 13 gauge so that there would be a little less contrast with the bass. It seems that she's a lot like a very good guitar; starts out sounding good and then just gets better and better with age, which makes her name even more appropriate. Because of the spruce top and hardwood back I suspect she will continue to "open up" for awhile and just continue to get better and better. There is a huge sound difference between "Briar Rose" (spruce top/hardwood back) and "Proudfoot" (redwood top/redwood back), so the siblings don't have to argue about who gets to play what; Briar Rose gets rowdy and Proudfoot gets sweet. And, by the way, everyone who has seen them has commented on your outstanding workmanship. Thanks again for a couple of really great instruments. Edith

---Here is what the owner of "Spring time" had to say--- I am the proud owner of the Springtime Dulcimer you made.  First, let me say THANK YOU for following your dream in making dulcimers. You definitely have a gift with wood and turning it into a thing of beauty. The sound on my dulcimer is amazing.  It plays beautifully; even though I am a beginner I do not have a hard time holding down the strings like my other dulcimer.  My friend who introduced me to dulcimers, literally drool when I brought it to work.  She has played the dulcimer the years.  She said the sound on my dulcimer was very rich and would only get better as time went on.  The quality craftsmanship, the beautiful colors in the woods you selected are all a part of why I love it.  Thank you again for my dulcimer.  I know I am going to have many, many years of enjoyment and can proudly say I own a Tom Yocky original. P.S. I gave your info to my friend.  She has to have a Tom Yocky original too.

---Here is what the owner of "Sara" had to say---  "SARA' arrived today, Monday 5-19 03 at 10:40 am ET. I was expecting a beautiful instrument but did not expect the combination of wood, metal  and sound to be this good. It is perfect. Just strumming the open strings makes a pleasant sound. Even I made a "musical" sound or two strumming and fretting the thing.              My grandson in less than a minute was playing the first notes of Farina's "Celebration For A Grey Day".I know this melody is a simple folk tune,  but it was fun to see and hear my grandson play it on this dulcimer named after his grandmother. He hinted after thirty minutes of playing that he wanted  to take it  home and keep it. I told him he would have to give me a decade with it first!  Tom, you really are an "Artist" of the dulcimer as a builder and player. Thank you for a job exceedingly well done.  Grayson Lassor

---Here is what the owner of "Blooming" had to say--- Tom received dulcimer yesterday, It is beautiful,was every thing I had hoped it would be .Thanks very much. It was a pleasure to have you build my dulci, you were very responsive to my request and very helpful to what I was looking for in a dulcimer.The mellow tone I wanted was accomplished with the wood selection you made for me your knowledge of wood and tones made it easy for me to buy with confidence,and I would definitely recommend your Dulcimers to anyone looking to Purchase a One of a kind Instrument.Once again Thanks I am Looking to many pleasant hours of Playing this Dulcimer .If anyone is looking for that special dulci, I would definitely say Yocky has it.  Paul Fowler Sr. Louisville Kentucky.

---Here is what the owner of "Moon and Stars" had to say--- Tom,   I just love it! The most striking thing when playing it is that band of figured maple down the center of the fingerboard. It seems to move with the music. I just played "Simple Gifts" before writing this note. Music is indeed a simple and complicated gift. Thanks for the present!   This baby is definitely going to the mountains Memorial Day weekend. It can be protected by leaving it in the car at night. I love all the different woods. Each one is beautiful in it's own way. I'm pleased with the choices that I made, and how they all look together.   The moon and stars are great. I really like the "nose" on the moon!   The sound is lovely. I have a goal of learning to finger pick. Take care of yourself and your little family. I'll keep you posted on the dulcimer.  Your new friend,   Susan

---Here is what the owner of "Celestial" had to say--- Tom, "Celestial" arrived in the mail today.  :::smiling:::  You have created a beautiful Dulcimer for me, and I thank you.  I am very happy with the moon and stars  theme for the soundholes.  It is a priceless "Gem" and the sound is fantastic!!!!!  I am going to find a special place on the wall to display it. Thank you, Sharon

---Here is what the owner of "Natures Song" had to say--- Recieved, tuned,played, enjoyed. The best sounding and looking of my collection. Could have sold it 3 times today. Thanks very much.   Your new friend,    John -Then later he wrote again and said- Hay Tom, Just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed Natures Song since I recieved her. I changed the set up a little went from a .24 to .22 to tone the bass a little and double the melody string. I play in the DAA mode with a noter( I love the slide sound you get that way). I have to say from one artist to another that this is the sweetest sounding dulcimer that I have the pleasure of owning. I took it to a club event over the weekend, and when I eased Natures Song from her bag ( by the way tell that sweet wife thank you the bag is awsome ) everyone in the room couldn't wait to see her. We had a visiting guest that was going to give a concert that night, she asked if she could try her and I let her. Let me tell you when she played her everyone in the room was awestruct, this woman made her sound beutiful. She asked to borrow her for her concert that night and I let her (under the understanding that I delivered her back stage before the concertand took her back afterwards. The concert was great she used her for about a 3rd of the songs that she preformed. After the concert she told me that she usually borrows 3 to 4 instrument other than her own 2 that she carries so that she has a back up in case a string breaks or one becomes out of tune. She then went on to say that this was the first dulcimer that she ever used that stayed in tune for as long as it did and did not wear her out becouse of poor action. She will probably either contact you or try to win one off of E-Bay. Everyone who has seen and heard her has wanted to buy her, but no matter what they offer she will stay mine. I told my oldest daughter that when she gets a little bigger and shows me that she is truely serious I will have you build her one. She loves to play mine when I let her and has on several ocassions tried to trade me all of hers for it. She has started praticing her lessons more after I told her my promise. I have to say that you have put a lot of thought into the design of your instrument and the choice of woods, and the way that you blend them, and then the indiviualized sound hole desings and names, seperates you from the common builder and puts you in a class of the master builder. From the several seperate insturments that I have veiwed of yours, it is apparent that you put a part of yourself in each one that you build. It takes a special person to look a a piece of wood and see the hidden treasure in it and then it takes a master to bring it out, I know I myself has to do it every day... Tom I wish you all the best in the world and hope that you to can acheive your dreams. Keep up the excellant work and know that you creating not only a most beautiful sounding insturtment but a work of art that each owner will be proud of for the rest of  their life. I look forward to years of use from mine and know that each time that I play her I will engoy her even more, partly becouse each time I will get a little better. Thank you for creating a everlasting earloom to my family, I copied most of your wed site so that in the future when something happens to me and she is passed on the next person in the family, will have a piece of the history behind her. Thanks, John Smedley

---Here is what the owner of "Dove" had to say--- The dulcimer arrived yesterday.  It is truly beautiful both in appearance and sound.  I spent the entire  evening playing and getting acquainted with my 'Dove'.  (That is why I am just getting to e-mailing you now.) I  thank you so much for all your time and effort that you put into this instrument.  It was worth every minute of the wait.   I appreciate the fact that you were very nice, kept me updated and, obviously,  put your heart and soul into your craft. You can definitely add my name to the list (ever growing, I am sure)  of your fans.                                                               Thanks again!                                                               God bless,  Jura

---Here is what the owner of "Proudfoot" had to say--- Hi Tom, Proudfoot arrived and I've left feedback for you, but ebay doesn't leave enough space for me to tell you how really pleased I am. It showed up this morning just as I was leaving for my banjo lesson, so I took it along, box and all, and we opened it  there (outstanding job of packing, by the way) and let it come to room temperature during the lesson. My instructor has a place called the MusicCafe so people are in and out all the time and everyone wanted to know what kind of instrument it was. A lot of them stayed around until after my lesson so they could hear it, so I tuned it, and tried it out in front of an audience. Luckily the fret and string distances aren't too much different from the one I've been playing (I use a "noter" of my own design) so I was able to play several songs without too much trouble (kept it simple), and everyone loved it. Then my instructor picked up my banjo and started playing with me, the bass player who plays with his band jumped in, and it turned into a jam session. We had a great time, and the dulcimer wasn't drowned out by the banjo. We did have to "mic" it when we added the electric bass though. We had so much fun, and drew such a crowd that we've decided to put together a set and play for everybody in a couple of weeks. I also really like the bag your wife made for it, but I have a suggestion... If the cord was a little longer the ends could be tied together and then it could be carried over the shoulder. I was also wondering if you've considered making hard carrying cases for your dulcimers?   Feel free to quote me, or use me as a reference if it will help, because I've really enjoyed dealing with you and I REALLY love this instrument. On a personal note: When is your baby due? Where in Oregon is your property? Edith - Edith wrote back and ordered another dulcimer- I decided I'd better get a custom instrument from you before you get too famous as a luthier and I can't afford your instruments anymore.

---Here is what the owner of "Gaze Up" had to say--- Dear Mr. and Mrs. Y(and baby Y??),        I am so thrilled I could just weep-and I did,yesterday, when I opened up that professionally wrapped box from warm, warm CA!!!! I have never seen a lovelier instrument and I really can't thank you enough!!  My "Gaze"(and count me as thrilled that you named it that!!)is even more beautiful than I thought it would be-you gave me constellations instead of just a star and comet--I feel really blessed to have it!! And the sound of that instrument is beyond what I had imagined--I want to be with it all the time(poor banjos)- your craftsmanship and understanding of wood is unbelievable-such care and love-AND-what a very nice present to have included that lovely hand-made bag for Gaze!!!THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!  I will definetly be ordering another one sometime in summer and I am thinking about that burl and shaded redwood- and 4 of your wiggly flowers or something close to that--was wondering what your modern designs look like, though-I love are deco and machine-age stuff--just thinking outloud----is 1 dulcimer ever enough? peace-love to you and your newest family member-Kaz in not-snowing-today PA ps-forgot to add that I also fingerpick and Gaze is soooooo easy to play!!!