Design Your Own Folkcraft DulciVox Pro

Dulcimers ship for free, worldwide!

This instrument was named the DulciVox because it has a big, sweet voice, like that of a great singer. Thus the "Vox" part of the name - "Vox" is the Latin word for "voice".

The Folkcraft DulciVox is available in two varieties - the "Pro" version, available here for $1895 (plus options, if chosen), and the DulciVox "Standard", available on this page for $1495.

These two instruments are identical, except that the Pro version has a built-in Fishman passive under-saddle pickup, and the Pro version has an ebony fretboard. Both versions of the Folkcraft DulciVox have tapered fretboards - higher at the nut than at the bridge - which allows the bridge and saddle to be at the optimum height for sound and tone, while still allowing a standard capo to be used at frets one, three, and four. We also undercut the fretboard beneath the last four frets, allowing the top to vibrate more freely.

The benefits of a Folkcraft DulciVox over a traditional dulcimer? This dulcimer has more power and more sustain, while maintaining the sweet voice of a dulcimer. We accomplished this by having a bridge that wasn't part of the fretboard - this allows the top to vibrate more freely. By bracing (internally) this instrument like a traditional guitar, volume and sustain were both dramatically increased.

For both the Standard and Pro versions, we've chosen mahogany and spruce as the woods, and we don't offer other wood choices. With the internal bracing featured on this dulcimer, we're chosen our "Classic F" sound hole as the best option.

With this Pro version of the DulciVox, you can choose the fret pattern (diatonic in various flavors, or chromatic), fret wire (both size and material), and an upgraded pickup (from the included passive Fishman AG Series pickup to the amazing active Fishman pickup with the Prefix Pro Blend preamp onboard). You can also choose the string setup - three strings, or four strings (nut and bridge slotted for both double melody strings and four strings, equidistant).

For both the Standard and Pro versions, we've chosen mahogany and spruce as the woods, and don't offer other wood options. With the internal bracing featured on this dulcimer, we're chosen our "Classic F" sound hole as the best option.

Woods used
Back, sides, head, fretboard: African mahogany
Top: Sitka spruce
Internal bracing: Sitka spruce
Fretboard veneer: ebony

Dimensions
VSL (scale length): 25"
Fretboard width: 1 1/2"
Side height: 2 1/4"
Overall: 38 1/2" x 12" x 3 1/4"
Body: 31" x 12" x 2 1/2"

Features
Fishman AG-Series Passive Undersaddle Pickup (Fishman Matrix pickup with Prefix Pro Blend preamp available for $350)
Traditional flat head
Enclosed gear tuners, black finish

Also included
Strap buttons
Padded case with shoulder strap

And here's a video of Bing Futch (Folkcraft Endorsing Artist) playing prototype number three of this instrument.

And here's a video that shows Bing at the Folkcraft shop, showing how the Folkcraft DulciVox is made: