Bass and Fdo and Jean Ritchie Dulcimers

Walnut FdO
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Detail of Bridge Pins

Force-d'Ossché Six String

This instrument was designed in collaboration with Robert Force and Albert d'Ossché to represent the best features of their personal instruments which they developed to complement in sound and appearance their contemporary stand-up dulcimer style. This six string dulcimer is equally at home played in the traditional lap style where its distinctly rich, full sound will enhance any type of music. Due to the doubled strings this dulcimer is loud and has great presence; it works well as a chording backup instrument in addition to its unique sound as a lead instrument.

The Force-d'Ossché is crafted with walnut back and sides; (curly maple or rosewood is available for an additional charge). A Western red cedar top is standard, although Sitka spruce is available as an option.

The use of bridge pins for the string attachment, a feature of the instruments crafted by Al d'Ossché was adapted into our design, enabling the player to use ball end strings without causing damage to the tail of the instrument. We use rosewood pins with mother of pearl inlays to complement the fingerboard overlay.

Force-d'Ossché Six String - $805.00

Sitka Spruce top - $35.00
Curly Maple back and sides - $90.00
East Indian Rosewood back and sides - $195.00
Australian Blackwood (Acacia) back and sides - $200.00

Specifications

Bookmatched back and sides of walnut
Bookmatched Western red cedar top with black-white-black purfling
Satin lacquer finish
Honduras mahogany fingerboard, rosewood overlay
Mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays
Bone nut and saddle

Dimensions

Scale length 26 1/4"
Overall length 36 1/2"
Overall height 2 3/4"
Width 7 1/4"
Depth of body 2 1/8"
Width of fingerboard 1 1/2"

Jean Ritchie Walnut

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Jean Ritchie Dulcimer

We are proud and honored to be the authorized builders of the Jean Ritchie Dulcimer. It is a traditionally styled Appalachian mountain dulcimer built to Jean's specifications; each instrument's label is personally signed by Jean Ritchie.

It is available in walnut with a Western red cedar top and features the "Hearts-A-Flower" inlay on the fretboard and peghead, designed by Jean.

The design of this instrument tends to produce a more "traditional" sound, but it is well suited to all styles of dulcimer playing.

Jean Ritchie Walnut $675.00

Dimensions

Scale length 27 1/2"
Overall length 36"
Overall height 2 3/4"
Width at lower bout 6 7/8"
Depth of body 2 1/8"
Width of fingerboard 1 3/8"

Specifications for JRW

Bookmatched back, sides and peghead of solid walnut
Bookmatched Western red cedar top
Satin lacquer finish
Honduras mahogany fingerboard, rosewood overlay; Hearts-a-Flower inlay
Hearts-a-Flower peghead inlay
Ebony nut and saddle
Planetary tuners
6 1/2 and 13 1/2 fret standard

Acoustic Jam—Walnut
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Acoustic Jam Dulcimer

The Acoustic Jam dulcimer is designed for use in acoustic jam sessions or any playing situation requiring a loud instrument and forceful picking or strumming. This dulcimer is based on the Blue Lion Bass and Baritone body shape, but with less body height, a 26 1/4" scale, guitar-type bridge pin string attachments and a slightly higher action. These attributes result in an instrument that produces excellent volume and playability and allows a player to easily set up the instrument for maximum effectiveness.

The guitar bridge pin string attachments allow the use of ball end strings which are easily available in any gauge required. We recommend stringing with .012/.012, .014 and .024w for the easiest playabilty in DAD or DAA. If you tune DAA exclusively you may want to string with three .014's and a .024w bass string, or .014/.014, .016, .024w. A good compromise for players who use both tunings extensively would be .013/.013, .014 or .016, and .024w or .026w. The lighter strings give easier playability while heavier stings yield more volume.

The Acoustic Jam is crafted with walnut, cherry, or maple back and sides and a Western red cedar top. A Sitka spruce top is available as an option.

We would be happy to discuss your individual needs and tailor an instrument to best meet those requirements.