Roosebeck 5 String Appalachian Dulcimer (Vaulted Fret Board, F-Scrolls, Extra String Set)

This Roosebeck 5 string Appalachian "Grace" mountain dulcimer has offers great features at a low price. Its vaulted fret board makes it lighter and as a result there is more soundboard vibration, producing excellent sound quality. It has the traditional Appalachian hour glass shape and its body, neck, and fret board are solid Sheesham. Its end peg has a silver color and is shaped like a crown. This model also features 5 mechanical geared right angle tuners with a 14:1 ratio and has five strings, including 2 melody strings, 2 middle strings and 1 bass drone string.T he soundboard is spruce and has a charming rosewood skirt design on both ends, as well as 4 of the classic f-hole openings. Includes Extra String Set ($10.95 Value), pick and slide. Free Shipping.

Many tunings will work, but we recommend the traditional DAD method to make it easy to pick up and play.

This model includes the 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 frets. Most early dulcimers had a strictly diatonic scale; that is, the frets were placed so as to produce a major scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do) with no extra half steps. More recently, dulcimer players have found that the placement of an extra fret between the 6th and 7th frets and between the 13th and 14th frets allows two things; (1) a major scale can be produced starting at another point (on the open string), and (2) most songs containing "accidental" notes can be played. The 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 frets add versatility. The disadvantage is that it takes a while to get used to the extra frets if you have been playing a dulcimer without it. Important Specifications: 

Neck at Nut: 1.25 inches in width 
Neck at Body Joint: 1.25 inches in width
Nut: 1.25 inches in width, made from rosewood
Scale Length: 25.5 inches 5 tuning pegs/levers
18 Metal Frets (Including the 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 Frets)