Master Works 16/15c Chromatic Ultralight Hammered Dulcimer

The Master Works Ultralight Hammer Dulcimer is a professional quality musical instrument that has a voice that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. Its full and mellow tone can only be out-shined by its durability, stability and portability. It has 16 treble courses and 15 bass courses of 2 strings per course providing 1 &1/2 chromatic octaves in the center of the instrument and over 3 octaves top to bottom yet it weighs a very portable 14 pounds (varies slightly with different types of wood used in the endrails). Each and every part of the Ultralight design has been thoroughly researched and developed to obtain the optimum balance between sound, strength and durability. All unnecessary bulk is eliminated from the bracing, pin blocks and endrails. Each quartersawn Genuine Mahogany soundboard is hand tapered to produce a much more active plate without sacrificing structural integrity. Proper string lengths and graduated string gauges produce an even tone throughout, and a firm, solid feel when striking the strings. Delrin bridge caps and a 45 degree angle on top of the Hard Maple pinblock not only help make tuning a snap, but also allow more accurate location of the strings to produce a perfect fifth interval of each treble course. This ultimately means that the instrument will hold its tuning longer and more accurately, and, if necessary, can be easily readjusted. The unique bracing system, developed through Russell Cook’s extensive experimentation over a period of fourteen years, produces a wonderfully rich, mellow tone with strong responsive notes even down the bass bridge (highly uncommon to lightweight instruments). Rosewood bridges aid in producing a rich mellow tone with Maple available for those who prefer a bit brighter tone (with Maple, sustain is somewhat controlled but not to the point of harming the richness that sets the ULTRALIGHT apart from most hammer dulcimers). Separation of the bridge cap rods (normally a continuous rod of delrin on the treble and bass bridges) dramatically reduces sustain and can be done in the building process or altered at home. The laminated back provides a super stable lightweight foundation and has a port for sound as well as ease of handling. Another feature unique to the ULTRALIGHT is the video camera tripod attachment! Use your existing tripod as a fully adjustable and portable stand! No other instrument on the market utilizes this logical concept. The ULTRALIGHT is available in two models - the standard diatonic model 16-15 and the full chromatic 16-15c. You can even have the chromatic option installed at a later time making the MASTER WORKS ULTRALIGHT HAMMER DULCIMER the most flexible instrument in the country! Standard endrail choices are Walnut, Cherry or Maple. Instruments come with single-sided hammers, tuning wrench, tuning scheme chart and the book entitled “Understanding and Fine Tuning the Hammer Dulcimer” by Russell Cook.