Design Your Own Mountain Dulcimer

Because every Folkcraft dulcimer is handmade, we can build yours exactly the way you want it. Pick a model below, then choose your woods, body, head style, scale length, sound holes and fret pattern. We'll build it by hand in our wood shop in Rock, Michigan, one at a time, just for you, the way we've built dulcimers since 1968.

Not sure where to start? Here's how our models compare:

Model Body Sound Starting price
FolkRoots® D Series California (8" wide, 2 1/4" deep) Big, bold, our loudest $1,095
Folkcraft® FSH Series Kentucky (about 7" wide, 1 3/4" deep) Sweet, delicate, traditional $1,195
FolkRoots® H Series California Same big voice as the D, with flat head and ebony fretboard veneer $1,295
Folkcraft® Custom Series Kentucky or California Our most refined tone; every option $1,695
Custom Six-String Kentucky or California Doubled courses for extra power and sustain $1,695
DulciVox® Wide, guitar-braced body Extra volume and sustain $1,495
LAP-JO® Banjo rim and head A dulcimer that sounds like a banjo $1,495
Resonator Aluminum resonator cone Bright, ringing, bluesy $1,895
Double Neck California Two fretboards for two tunings on one instrument $1,995
Courting California Two fretboards, so two players share one instrument $1,995

If you're new to the choices, start with our guide to the Design Your Own options, or call us at (317) 539-1855 and we'll help you decide.

Helpful guides: Which Dulcimer Should I Buy? · Design Your Own options · Scale length · Fret patterns · All dulcimer guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a custom dulcimer take?

Please allow about three to four months for us to build and ship your instrument.

What scale length should I choose?

About 75 percent of our customers choose a 25" VSL. Choose by hand size, not tone: the difference in tone between lengths is negligible. See how to choose the right scale length.

Which woods sound best?

Black walnut with a butternut top is our most popular combination. Our woods guide explains how each wood sounds.

Which frets should I get?

We strongly recommend the 6 1/2 and 1 1/2 frets; 95 percent of our instruments include the 1 1/2. Fully chromatic is also available.

Can you build it left-handed?

Yes. Tell us when you order and we'll build it for a left-handed player.

Is a case included?

Yes. Every custom dulcimer comes with our soft carrying case, made in our workshop. A rigid case is available as an upgrade.

Is there a warranty?

Yes. Every Folkcraft instrument comes with a five-year warranty.