FolkRoots Travel Dulcimer Reissue (Posted by Richard Ash on 9/1/2011)
At Folkcraft, we're always looking to the future. We use computer-controlled tools, and we even (gasp!) put pickups in some of the instruments we build.
But, we're always looking to the past, too. We have a collection of nearly fifty Folkcraft and FolkRoots instruments that date back to the earliest years of the company. Our predecessors (David Marks at Folkcraft, and Michael and Howard Rugg at FolkRoots) put out a lot of neat instruments, and one of those instruments is our latest project...
A 1986 FolkRoots travel dulcimer, made in Felton, California out of beautiful burl walnut.
On September 20, 2011, Folkcraft is going to be releasing a "reissue" of the 1980's FolkRoots travel dulcimer. First released in 1982 by the Rugg & Jackel Music Company (the company that built the FolkRoots line at the time), the instrument was pretty basic.
Available in either a plywood body or a solid wood body, the instrument had four strings, open gear tuners, and a 22" scale length.
The 2011 reissue of this historic instrument is made 100 percent of Honduras mahogany. With four strings, and upgraded open gear chrome tuners, the instrument has a clear, loud tone.
The new FolkRoots travel dulcimer still has a 22" scale, and is small enough to travel most anywhere. It even fits easily into the overhead bin of most airplanes.
So now we're looking for volunteers. Who wants to audition this instrument? We'll ship it to you (Fedex), along with a return shipping label so you can send it back to us. Try it out for a week, and let us know what you think. We'll want feedback, suggestions, and constructive comments.
After the selected fifty or so volunteers have returned the instruments to our shop, we'll hold a drawing and give away a dozen or so of these beauties. (The ones that have been floating around the country, being auditioned.)
Interested in helping out? Being the first person in your club to audition the new FolkRoots travel dulicmer? Maybe even winning the "lottery", and getting one of them to keep for yourself?
Let us know. We'll put you on the list of "auditioners"! Send us an email, or use this web form:
When people think of heirloom-quality instruments, they think of Folkcraft. Here's why: Our instruments are handmade in the United States of America, not in a cheap overseas factory. Our instruments are crafted one at a time, not on an assembly line. Our instruments are made of solid woods, not out of plywood.
Folkcraft instruments are made with pride and tradition, using the same methods as our founders used in 1968. Folkcraft Instruments is a family business, with two generations of luthiers putting their skill and experience into every instrument they create.
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