Only $40.00 away from free shipping
Only $495.00 away from free shipping

Create a Folkcraft account for free rewards! Click HERE


Differences Between D Series, H Series, FSH Series, and Custom Series

This is one of our most commonly-asked questions. What's the difference, and why should I choose one option over the next?

As with most answers, it can be complicated. But to break it down into broad generalizations, I'll suggest that you choose the body style you want first (Kentucky or California), then choose the instrument that has the level of refinement that you want. 

When I say "refinement", I'm not talking about the actual construction quality - all of our instruments are made to the same standard of quality, by the same people, of the same woods, and in the same workshop in Woodburn, Indiana. Refinement in this case is referring to the dulcimer's sound, and to the available options.

So, first decide if you want a sweet, delicate, traditional sounding dulcimer, or if you want a more modern-sounding guitar-like dulcimer? We call the traditional sounding instrument a Kentucky style, and we call the modern sounding instrument a California style. Here's an article talking about Kentucky versus California. LINK HERE

Once you've chosen Kentucky or California, we can start narrowing down a recommendation for you.

Kentucky Style Body

  Folkcraft FSH Series Folkcraft Custom Series
(choose Kentucky body)
Body Wood Choices 3 11
Top Wood Choices 3 (top matches body) 16
Fretboard Veneer Choices No fretboard veneer 7
Pickup Options 2 3
Scalloped Fretboard Yes Yes
Scale Length Choices 7 7
Fret Pattern Choices 3 3
Fret Wire Choices 6 6
Radiused Fretboard Option No Yes
Sound Hole Options 40+ 45+
Head Options 2 3
Galax Performance Back Option Yes Yes
Instrument Dimensions

 
California Style Body

 

 

FolkRoots D Series FolkRoots H Series Folkcraft Custom Series
(choose California body)

Body Wood Choices

3 3 11
Top Wood Choices 7 7 16
Fretboard Veneer Choices No fretboard veneer 1 7
Pickup Options 3 3 3
Scalloped fretboard No No Yes
Fret pattern choices 3 3 3
Fret wire choices 6 6 6
Radiused fretboard option No No Yes
Sound Hole Options 45+ 45+ 45+
Head Options 2 2 3
Galax Performance Back Option Yes Yes Yes
Instrument Dimensions

 

talk about woods and other options, links to detail pages

talk about scallops, FB open to body (FR) vs scallops (FC)

Talk about strum hollows, refinement of head shapes (FC wins on both)