http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2005-30,GWYA:en&q=cardboard+dulcimer

There's a wide variety of sounds and styles in Appalachian dulcimer playing. A new player might want to start with a cardboard model -- several can be found at the above link, typically fir around $50 -- then check out who's playing what at a dulcimer festival or two before deciding on a higher-priced model. The Blue Lions cited above are set up with four equidistant strings -- and non-traditional tunings are usually employed -- and are particularly suited for jazz and blues playing. Modern Mountain Dulcimers, with 3-strings and a resonator back, are ideal if old-timey fiddle tunes are what you're after. Warren May's in Berea, Ky, are well-suited for gentle tunes and are as pretty as any instrument made... Highly recommend one or both of the "Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer" CDs as a sampler of the range of dulcimer-playing styles.