Differences Between D Series, H Series, FSH Series, and Custom Series
This is one of our most commonly-asked questions. What's the difference, and why should I choose one option over the next?
As with most answers, it can be complicated. But to break it down into broad generalizations, I'll suggest that you choose the body style you want first (Kentucky or California), then choose the instrument that has the level of refinement that you want.
When I say "refinement", I'm not talking about the actual construction quality - all of our instruments are made to the same standard of quality, by the same people, of the same woods, and in the same workshop in Woodburn, Indiana. Refinement in this case is referring to the dulcimer's sound, and to the available options.
So, first decide if you want a sweet, delicate, traditional sounding dulcimer, or if you want a more modern-sounding guitar-like dulcimer? We call the traditional sounding instrument a Kentucky style, and we call the modern sounding instrument a California style. Here's an article talking about Kentucky versus California. LINK HERE
Once you've chosen Kentucky or California, we can start narrowing down a recommendation for you.
Kentucky Style Body
| Folkcraft FSH Series |
Folkcraft Custom Series (choose Kentucky body) |
|
| Body Wood Choices | 3 | 11 |
| Top Wood Choices | 3 (top matches body) | 16 |
| Fretboard Veneer Choices | No fretboard veneer | 7 |
| Pickup Options | 2 | 3 |
| Scalloped Fretboard | Yes | Yes |
| Scale Length Choices | 7 | 7 |
| Fret Pattern Choices | 3 | 3 |
| Fret Wire Choices | 6 | 6 |
| Radiused Fretboard Option | No | Yes |
| Sound Hole Options | 40+ | 45+ |
| Head Options | 2 | 3 |
| Galax Performance Back Option | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Dimensions |
California Style Body
|
|
FolkRoots D Series | FolkRoots H Series |
Folkcraft Custom Series (choose California body) |
|
Body Wood Choices |
3 | 3 | 11 |
| Top Wood Choices | 7 | 7 | 16 |
| Fretboard Veneer Choices | No fretboard veneer | 1 | 7 |
| Pickup Options | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scalloped fretboard | No | No | Yes |
| Fret pattern choices | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Fret wire choices | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Radiused fretboard option | No | No | Yes |
| Sound Hole Options | 45+ | 45+ | 45+ |
| Head Options | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Galax Performance Back Option | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Dimensions |
talk about woods and other options, links to detail pages
talk about scallops, FB open to body (FR) vs scallops (FC)
Talk about strum hollows, refinement of head shapes (FC wins on both)