I agree with the majority of the posters here. Play your dulcimer, enjoy it and when you are ready for a higher quality sound/instrument, then move on up! That's exactly what I did with my violin. I rented one for $25.00 a month to make sure I really was going to play it, then got a little better quality one from eBay and after about a year, I went to a real violin shoppe and got a quality instrument with wonderful tone. I wouldn't do it any other way!!!

No matter what, have fun and enjoy yourself!!!

Michelle