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Discover "The Cumberland" River Guitars & Dulcimers – Your New Favorite Musical Adventure!

Preorders in 2024 are now closed, but we'll be returning in 2025! Sign up to be alerted when the time approaches and in the meantime, learn more about the Cumberland River Guitar, a beautifully handcrafted instrument by Inglewood Instruments.

Both the guitar and dulcimer versions seamlessly blend timeless craftsmanship with modern playability, offering an unforgettable musical experience for beginners and pros alike.

The Cumberland is perfect for any level. 

It's light, portable design means you can take it anywhere – from jam sessions with friends to spontaneous performances on your porch.

Choose Your Edition:

Deluxe Guitar & Deluxe Dulcimer

Features a vintage style ambered shellac finish and white binding, paired with a dark African ziricote fretboard and diamond abalone inlays.

Player's Guitar & Player's Dulcimer

Player's includes the same maple body and neck with cherry top, but with a clear finish and no binding.  We've also swapped out the fretboard for a rather distinguished purpleheart with a classic pearl dot inlay.

What's the Difference Between the Guitar and Dulcimer Versions?
While both versions share the same body, neck, and size, the fret placement and tuning set them apart.
Guitar Version: Features a chromatic fret layout (all frets) and is tuned like the top three strings of a guitar (GBE). 
Dulcimer Version: Has a diatonic fret layout (some frets are skipped) and is tuned to DAD, making it easier to play in specific keys. 

Why Preorders? 

Each Cumberland is handmade to order in Nashville by partnering luthier, Nick Stratton, ensuring you receive a truly unique and heirloom instrument.

Ready to Play?

Sign up for the waitlist today, and let your musical adventure begin!
Here's a few demos with some of our amazing partner musicians. Jump over to YouTube for more examples!


 

  • I've never played music before. How easy are these to learn? Super easy! I have over 100 (and growing) tutorials and downloads, many for free. If you’re new to music, I suggest starting with the Dulcimer version. If you've tried guitar before but struggled, the dulcimer is easier, and the guitar version is less complex than a 6-string. Plus, the skills are transferable, so you can work your way up.
  • You say it’s a 3-string instrument, but I see 4. What’s the deal? It’s designed as a 3-string instrument, but there's a 4th string that doubles the highest one, creating a lovely “chorusing” effect, similar to a mandolin. If you prefer a true 3-string, you can easily remove the extra one.  

  • Will you offer left-handed models? Yes! Left-handed models will be available as an option at the time of purchase.
  • How long will delivery take once orders start? Delivery is expected to take 5 months from launch, given there are holidays and any retooling required.
  • Can I pay off my River Guitar? Yes, we will have payment plans in place for those looking pay while they wait. 
  • Can you install a pickup in them? It’s possible, but not recommended, as it requires drilling and might affect the sound. We’re working on a pickup version, but it won’t be available for several months. If you need one now, you could try a surface-mounted piezo, though it might not be ideal.
  • Will there be a full electric version? Definitely, but it’s still only on Ryan's mental list, not yet in the works. We’re aiming to prototype in mid-2025, but there are too many variables at this point to commit to anything other than excitement and intent. If you're interested, please let me know via email so I can gauge demand.

 

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The Story Of the River Guitars, "The Cumberland" (aka "Model 1") In Images

It all starts with a sketch (Jan/Feb '21)

The First Physical Rendering (Mar/April '21)

Things Are Starting To Happen!  (April-July '21)

 A Sneak Peek Into The Design

And here's where we landed by the end of 2022

(Then a year of doing that day job thing...)

Fast forward a bit... and we successfully launched preorders in September 2024!

There were a LOT of substantial changes made between the prototypes in 2022 and the Cumberland you'll receive now. For a complete rundown of the current version, have a look at the video waaaay back up on this page ;-)

READY TO OWN ONE?!