Monochords, Kalimbas, Koshi & Zaphir Chime & Gong Drums– Handmade Sound Healing Instruments
Dusty Strings Music Shop, Seattle, WA
Explore Dusty Strings: A Beloved Seattle Hub Sharing the Magic of Hokema Kalimbas
At We Play Well Together, we’re always honored to collaborate with music stores that bring heart, history, and craftsmanship to their communities. One such gem is Dusty Strings in Seattle — a cherished cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest music scene for over 40 years.
We connected with the Dusty Strings team to learn more about their journey, their community, and how Hokema Kalimbas have found a harmonious home in this inspiring space. Below is their story.
1. Can you tell us a little about your store?
For forty years, we've been the Pacific Northwest’s premiere dealer of high-quality acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, amps, pedals, folk harps, hammered dulcimers and mountain dulcimers, accessories, books, and much more. We also have a bustling music school! You can book private, one-on-one lessons with our professional and experienced teachers. Whether you’re an existing student or have been thinking of beginning lessons, it's always a good time to start!
2. What makes your store unique compared to larger retailers?
Dusty Strings is much more specialized than most music retailers. We cater largely to the folk and roots music community of the Pacific Northwest. There is no other location in our region where one will find as extensive a selection of acoustic instruments as here in our highly customized showroom. Dusty Strings Music Shop is also the main showroom for the Dusty Strings brand of harps and hammered dulcimers that our company manufactures here in Seattle.
3. Why did you decide to carry We Play Well Together instruments, specifically Hokema Kalimbas, in your store?
The founders of Dusty Strings discovered the Hokema Sansulas while visiting a music store in Europe. There are dealers of Dusty Strings harps and hammered dulcimers in several European cities, so the founders are frequently visiting music stores internationally and often come across unique items such as the Sansula, which they brought back to show us at the retail store. We thought the quality of these instruments was excellent and felt they would fit right in with our selection of products.
4. What has been the customer reaction to our instruments? Any favorite stories or experiences?
There is a story that I heard not too long ago that I found particularly inspiring. I might not have all the details correct, but the gist is as follows. A local Seattlite came into our store looking for inspiration and a new musical direction in his life. He stumbled upon our Sansulas and was immediately taken with them. He bought one, learned to play it and later told us how it had changed his life in so many positive ways. That customer was Brandon Blake, now a featured artist for Hokema.
5. Do you or your customers have a favorite Hokema Kalimba? If so, what do you love about it?
Our store manager, Morgan, was telling me recently how he loves his B11 Electro kalimba. He uses it with an EHX Freeze pedal and a looper to create ambient soundscapes that echo throughout his practice space, piquing the curiosity of his cat.
6. Who are your typical customers?
We cater largely to the folk and roots music community of the Pacific Northwest, but that can be anyone from absolute beginner ukulele enthusiasts to veteran Bluegrass flatpicking virtuosos. We have a product selection that ranges from the highest quality entry-level instruments up through the truly boutique handcrafted pieces from the top American builders. We love to expose people to instruments they may have never had the opportunity to try before. Sansulas are a great example of that, as well as our own harps and dulcimers. We like to think of ourselves as a hub in the local and regional musical community and want to support people in furthering their musical goals.
Where to find Dusty Strings:
We're located at 3406 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA
You can also find us on social media at
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustystringsmusic/
