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Catalog > Stringed Instruments > Lap Dulcimers updated October 18, 2010
Black Mountain Blue Lion lap dulcimer
FolkRoots
June Apple
Strumstick

Cases
Instruction books

Some of the following are special order items. Please read this information on special orders.

FolkRoots
  • American made by Folkcraft Instruments
  • All FolkRoots dulcimers include a 6 1/2-inch fret
  • Standard scale length is 29.5 inches (unless otherwise noted)
  • Hourglass shaped (unless otherwise noted)
  • Consistently good sound from these high quality instruments
  • Not all models in stock all the time -- please contact us
  • Case not included
Contact us for current selection and availability. FolkRoots dulcimers are highly customizable.

Black Mountain

50 Series Heirloom Instruments

  • Traditional hourglass shape, heart-shaped sound holes
  • Scroll heads, quality mechanical tuning machines
  • Nickel/silver fretted fingerboards with strum hollow
  • Solid wood tops and backs; lacquered, hand-rubbed finish
  • Not all models in stock all the time -- please inquire.
Model 56 Solid spruce top; mahogany back, sides and fingerboard. Standard geared tuners $199.00
Model 58 Solid redwood top, American cherry wood back, sides and fingerboard. Deluxe geared tuners. $235.00
Model 51 Rare black walnut back and sides, redwood top. Walnut fingerboard with mother-of-pearl position dots. Top and back are bookmatched. Deluxe geared tuners. $235.00

Black Mountain Dulcimer Kits
Model 56K Spruce/Mahogany $122.50
Model 58K Spruce/Cherry $140.00
Model 51K Spruce/Walnut $140.00
Cardboard Pattern Choose and cut your own wood! Popular with students $55.00
June Apple

Handmade by Carl Gotzmer of Accokeek, MD, who was named one of the best American craftsmen by Early American Life (1991). Gotzmer has more than 25 years of design and building experience. All mountain dulcimers are made of solid wood, and come with noter, pick and instruction booklet.

Most June Apple instruments are available by special order. Please contact us for current price and availability.
Or click on the "quote" button.   What does the "quote" button do?

Mountain Dulcimers & Zithers
Juniper
Slender ellipse-shaped body style common to southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and North Carolina. Aromatic red cedar (Virginia Juniper). 2 3/4 inches x 4 1/2 inches x 35 1/2 inches
June Apple Hourglass Style
In the Huntington, West Virginia tradition. Heart-shaped soundholes. Black Walnut sides; redwood, red cedar, or spruce top. Also in solid cherry or solid walnut. 1 3/4 inches x 6 inches x 35 1/2 inches
Teardrop
In southern Virginia style. Solid black walnut, also available with redwood or spruce top. Decorative back seam inlay. 1 3/4 inches x 6 inches x 35 1/2 inches
Poplar Hill
Wider, deeper body for larger volume, more bass. Same woods as June Apple. Decorative back seam inlay. 2 1/4 inches x 8 inches x 36 1/2 inches
Scheitholt Pennsylvania German Zither
Can be played as a simple 5-string zither or fretted like a mountain dulcimer on double melody strings. Solid black walnut body w/red cedar, redwood, spruce, or walnut top. 1 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches x 35 1/2 inches.

Specialty Dulcimers
6-String Mountain Dulcimer
An elongated version of Poplar Hill model, with a rich, vibrant, booming sound. 3 double-strung courses produce high volume without amplification. Black walnut body, redwood top. Carved tailpiece. 2 1/4 inches x 8 inches x 43
Tandem (Courting) Dulcimer
Perfect choice for musical couples - two dulcimers in one instrument. Two fretboards on one wide-bodied soundboard; can be played by two people facing one another with the dulcimer resting on their laps. Black walnut body, redwood top. 2 1/4 inches x 14 inches x 36 1/2 inches.

Reproduction European Zithers
Deluxe German Scheitholt
Predecessor to Appalachian dulcimer, with more boxlike body, wooden lace soundhole rosette, handcarved headstock of human head with long flowing hair. Solid Honduras mahogany, double melody strings, 5 unfretted drones. 2 1/2 inches x 4 14 inches x 38 inches.

Large mountain zither, one flat side edge, wide curved edge on other side. 8 strings, 4 on fretboard, 4 unfretted drone strings. Black walnut back, decorative inlay, redwood top w/rosette. 1 1/2 inches x 9 inches x 36 inches
Humle with handcarved human head headstock
Norwegian Langeleik
Long and large box shape. Exact reproduction, based on travels to Norway. One string runs over fretboard, 4 strings are full drones, additional 3 strings run over movable wooden frets to control the tuning of the bass chord. Handcarved curved headstock, 8 solid rosewood tuning pegs, handcarved top and soundholes, 4 wooden feet to support tabletop playing. Black walnut with redwood top. 3 inches x 5 1/4 inches x 38 1/2 inches.
Icelandic Langspil
More slender than langeleik, with an unusual body shape. Headstock is slotted, with 3 rosewood tuning pegs. One side of fretboard is diatonic, like a mountain dulcimer, other side is chromatic, like a guitar. Often played with a bow. 1 1/2 inches x 7 inches x 35 inches

Strumstick by McNally

Handcrafted wooden narrow-necked mini dulcimer with 3 strings, 12 frets, diatonic. Small soundbox, one hole. Easy to play right or left-handed. Can be slung around the neck and played mandolin style. Very popular travel instrument. Soft nylon case with shoulder strap included.

These make great gifts, but be sure to order well in advance of the holidays - they are handmade and very popular so availability is limited and we are often sold out.

Strumstick in G -- $170.00

Strumstick in G with rosette -- $185.00

Grand Strumstick in D -- $200.00

strumstick
Lap Dulcimer Cases
Chipboard case -- fits hourglass models $34.95
Chipboard case with plush lining -- fits hourglass models $57.95
Cordura nylon softshell case -- waterproof, fits hourglass and teardrop models $45.00
Hardshell case -- fits hourglass and teardrop models $130.00
Other styles of cases available, please contact us.