Hammered Dulcimer Models

Compact
Forte
Rizzetta Extended Range
Rizzetta Piano Dulcimer
Augusta Grande… not described, but available.

Other Instruments

Cimbaloms

I've tinkered for years with a lighter-weight cimbalom design, trying to find something for the typical klezmer tsimbalist to use that won't break her back, something a gypsy can play on the street and be able to run with.  A big problem has been the tuning schema: the traditional cimbalom is not systematic, and the very newest chromatic hammered dulcimer tunings, while systematic, are not traditional.  Happily in the 1950's the Hungarians came up with a tuning that is more systematic yet preserves much of the traditional schema. One of these is in the works.

Shenandoah Valley Sheitholt

After examining and measuring a number of Valley instruments, I have produced several instruments that are a good, workable, recreation of this 18th century forerunner of the fretted dulcimer.  They have a clear, sweet sound.  Since they share many features with the Flemish hommel, I have set up a few with the hommel-style split fretboard which adds chromatics to the diatonic setup

Tambour de Bearne

After taking up playing the Provençal galoubet and tambourin, I was intrigued by the neighboring tradition in Béarn, where the one-handed flute is accompanied by a simple form of the hammered dulcimer, an unusual string drum.  I created one for myself,

modeled after the traditional style and have been asked to produce them for a few other folks.  The original tambours are at a higher C/g/C/g/C/g, but I've made them A/A/A/e/e/e/ , to be able to shift the drone. Set up with a pickup and amplified, you can almost stir stew with the bass notes.