Figured Claro Walnut

March 5, 2015

Another Claro walnut dulcimer, nearly out the door, bound for Texas. Fully chromatic. This instrument also gets one of our new rigid cases embroidered with the recipient's name.

 

This one's getting the Keane action, named for the instrument setup from dulcimer players John and Karen Keane. The action (simply defined as the height of the strings above the fretboard) of a dulcimer is a very personal choice. John Keane has a low action (for a strummer), but he has the control in his right hand to make it work. Karen Keane's "fingerpicking" instrument is great for fingerstyle play, but is so low that it wouldn't be a good strumming instrument.

 
All Folkcraft and FolkRoots dulcimers ship with a medium action, about where I like it for my personal playing. A lower action is easier to play, but you can't strum too aggressively, or you'll get fret buzz. A slightly higgher action allows for much heavier strings, and a more intense strum activity.

Richard Ash