Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer 4-String Vaulted Fretboard Spruce Knotwork - Walnut

As one of our most recent additions to our Roosebeck Mountain Dulcimer line, this Grace model has many great features! Its vaulted fret board makes it lighter and as a result there is more soundboard vibration and excellent sound quality. It has an hour glass shape and its body, neck, nut, bridge and fret board are solid walnut. Its tail piece has a silver color and is shaped like a crown. The soundboard is spruce and has a charming walnut skirt design on both ends, as well as 4 knotwork openings. This model also features 4 mechanical geared right angle tuners with a 14:1 ratio and has 4 strings, including 2 melody strings, 1 middle string and 1 bass drone string. Many tunings will work, but we recommend the traditional DAD method to make it easy to pick up and play. The following accessories are included with item: pick, noter and owner's guide.

The 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 Frets: 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.

SPECIAL NOTE ON STRINGS: There is no warranty on strings. Manufacturers recommend that you change the strings on your instrument as soon as you receive it. Your instrument has completed a long journey before it ever begins the final leg to your home. During this time the elements affect the strings and may shorten their lifespan. It occasionally happens that a string will fail during that final leg of the journey. Therefore, it is recommended that you purchase a replacement set of strings and consider changing your strings soon after it arrives. If you are a student you may want to change your strings every 3-4 months. If you are a rock star you may need to change your strings every week. If you store your instrument, you should consider changing the strings when you pick it up again.

Features:

• 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 walnut
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches
• Total length: 34"
• 4 tuning pegs/levers
• 18 Metal Frets (Including the 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 Frets
• Strings: 2-Melody, 1-Middle & 1-Bas
• Lovely Hour-Glass Shape
• Vaulted Fret Board For More Reactive Sound
• Spruce Soundboard, Cream Colored, Straight Grained
• Right Angle Tuners with 14:1 Ratio
• Stylish Celtic Knotwork Sound Holes
• Ship weight: 8 lbs
• Brand new