Design Your Own Folkcraft LAP-JO®

Design your own musical instrument! If you haven't yet heard a Folkcraft LAP-JO, here's the lowdown: A Folkcraft LAP-JO is a dulcimer/banjo hybrid. The fretboard is 100 percent mountain dulcimer, and the instrument is played just like a standard dulcimer. The tone-generating end of the instrument is 100 percent banjo. Banjo rim, hoop, ring, lugs, tailpiece, bridge. This is the only dulcimer/banjo hybrid that actually sounds like a banjo. It can be played quietly, but is also loud enough to hold its own with a guitar, or with a hammered dulcimer. There are plenty of videos on YouTube where you can see a Folkcraft LAP-JO in action. Go to YouTube.com, and search for "Folkcraft LAP-JO".

The Folkcraft LAP-JO (our dulcimer/banjo hybrid, which is Loud And Played - JOyously) is handmade in our Michigan workshop. Built of solid mahogany, this instrument has a dulcimer neck/fretboard with a banjo body - play it like a dulcimer, get the sound of a banjo. With a full two-octave range, a 28" VSL, and your choice of "extra" frets (1 1/2 and 8 1/2, or even fully chromatic). If you choose the Folkcraft LAP-JO Pro, you'll also get an ebony fretboard veneer and "custom-made for Folkcraft" L.R. Baggs LAP-JO pickup.

LAP-JOs all have real banjo heads, and hollow banjo-style bodies. Our head of choice is an 11" diameter Remo Fiberskyn head, which gives long life (it is a Mylar film head) with a special coating on top which gives it the look and sound of a traditional hide head.

Bing Futch playing his Folkcraft LAP-JO

Every instrument we design with you is built by hand, one at a time, in our workshop in Rock, Michigan. We've been making dulcimers since 1968, and each dulcimer carries our five-year warranty. It comes with our padded soft case, made in our shop (a rigid case is available as an upgrade), and strap buttons.

Not sure which options to choose? Our reference page explains them, and you're always welcome to call us at (317) 539-1855. Please allow three to four months for us to build your instrument.