Mountain Dulcimer, 4 Strings, Lacewood with Spruce Top

Construction & Materials This 4-string mountain dulcimer features a solid spruce top paired with lacewood back and sides. Spruce is a time-honored choice for soundboards, prized for its light weight and strong acoustic projection. Lacewood brings a visually striking figured grain to the back and sides while contributing warmth and resonance to the overall tone. The instrument is built in the classic hourglass body shape with a lacewood fretboard running the full length of the top. Four f-holes are cut in pairs on either side of the fretboard, adding character and allowing the sound to bloom freely from the body. Open-geared tuning pegs with cream buttons provide smooth, reliable tuning at the slotted headstock. Sound & Playability The combination of spruce and lacewood produces a balanced tonal voice with clear melodic definition across the fretboard. Spruce delivers crisp articulation on the high end while lacewood rounds out the low end with a subtle woody warmth. The fretboard spans approximately 15 frets with position markers to help players navigate comfortably. The 4-string configuration supports both traditional noter-and-drone playing and modern chord-based styles, making this dulcimer well suited to beginners exploring Appalachian folk traditions as well as experienced players seeking a distinctive instrument. About This Instrument The mountain dulcimer, also known as the Appalachian dulcimer, is one of North America's most beloved folk instruments. Its fretted diatonic layout makes it among the most approachable string instruments to learn, requiring no prior music reading experience to start playing melodies. This instrument arrives ready to play and includes a Lark in the Morning gig bag for easy transport to sessions, workshops, or performances. Lark in the Morning has offered quality instruments to musicians worldwide since 1974, drawing on decades of expertise to curate instruments that connect players to authentic musical traditions. Care & Maintenance Protect the spruce top from excessive humidity fluctuations by storing the dulcimer in its included gig bag when not in use. Wipe down the strings and fretboard after playing to remove oils and extend string life. Periodically check the open-geared tuners and tighten any loose hardware with a small screwdriver. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat sources to preserve the natural finish and wood integrity.   Specifications (approximate): Overall length:   36 1/2" Upper Bout Width:    5 1/2" Lower Bout width:  6 1/2" Nut to Bridge:  26 7/8" Nut Width:  1 3/8" # of Frets:  18