Carrying a mountain dulcimer in a hardshell case was awkward and uncomfortable. I was forever swapping arms to relieve the heaviness of the instrument and case. Folkcraft's Deluxe Rigid Dulcimer case slips right on my back and makes carrying the dulcimer is easy. My hands are free for other gear. The front pocket holds my iPad and a plastic tackle box with tuner, noter, pencil, clips, etc.
Don't tell Richard, but I recently accidentally tested the integrity of the case when I left it on the floor when retracting the slide on our motor home. I heard wood breaking but couldn't immediately tell where it was coming from. When I realized what had happened, I imagined my precious instrument splintered. Fortunately, the case completely did its job: The dulcimer was unharmed. Unfortunately, one of the plywood sides was broken in two places. I learned an expensive lesson, but the cost of a new case was a fraction of the cost to replace the dulcimer.
My experience in ordering the new case could not have been better. I ordered it late one evening and the new case shipped the next morning, arriving in about a week.
I'm a believer in FolkCraft, my instrument, and this case. Thanks!