Hammer Dulcimers
RIZZETTA HAMMER DULCIMERS Description / Price List: 2010
On this page:
- Dusty Strings Hammer Dulcimers
- Accessories
- Rizzetta Hammer Dulcimers
- Used Dulcimers
- Experimental Dulcimers
See the Profile page and the News page for some photos of Rizzetta dulcimers & historical info. Additional data on Rizzetta designs can be found at Dusty Strings and at Nicholas Blanton Instruments.
DUSTY STRINGS HAMMER DULCIMERS
For starter dulcimers and high quality dulcimers at good prices and values, the instruments of Dusty Strings Company are highly recommended. Brief descriptions of select models are below. For pictures, tuning charts, & more info go to: www.dustystrings.com
Dusty Strings makes the 30, 40, 300, 500, & 600 series models designed by Sam Rizzetta. Sam also continues to work with Dusty Strings owners Sue and Ray Mooers to make the newest research available for all Dusty Strings dulcimers. Each model provides a high quality dulcimer in its price range. They are designed to sound and look great, be easy to tune and play, hold tuning well, and be durable and trouble free. Five year warranty. The DS prefix indicates Dusty Strings products.
PD models are Piano Dulcimers invented by Sam Rizzetta. Chromatic with a half-step interval across the bridge instead of the diatonic scales of 5th interval dulcimers. Notes are marked black & white like the piano keyboard. Piano dulcimers are easy to understand, and they play in all keys! Other models are traditional 5th interval dulcimers, which are easy to play for diatonic folk music.
DS PD30. 16 treble courses; 2-1/2 octaves chromatic; birch; sweet tone; Size of D45; 14lbs. $435. Case; $115.
DS PD40. The beauty & tone of mahogany; 2 bass bridges extend range to 3-1/2 octaves! $895. Case; $115. Prefitted for adding pedal operated dampers! Damper kit & installation instructions; $295. Installed; $345.
DS Prelude. Full size, 12-11; 2-1/2 octaves; laminated birch; economical starter dulcimer. $395. Use D10 case.
DS D10. 12-11 like Prelude but in attractive solid mahogany; louder tone. $595. Case; $75. Padded case; $105.
DS Overture. 16-15; 3 octaves+; D35 size but without the chromatics; laminated birch. $495. Case; $115.
DS D45. Popular 16-15 size; 3 octaves+; mahogany, some chromatics; lovely tone & looks; highly recommended. (The D45 is the D35 reconfigured to accept dampers.) $895. Case; $115.
DS D300. 9-12-11; very portable & compact; 3 octaves+; chromatics; solid mahogany. $1695. Case; $295.
DS D550. 8-16-15; like Standard but mahogany top. Excellent all-around dulcimer. $1995. Case; $325.
DS D600. 8-19-18 like Extended Range but mahogany top. $2645. Case; $395. Recommend Tri-Stander.
DS D650. Same as the D600 with an extended bass range. $2795.
ACCESSORIES
DS Tri-Stander. Strong, light, portable stand system. Legs mount to dulcimer and telescope to adjust height/tilt, sit or stand. Legs unscrew, collapse for ultimate portability. Safest for large & valuable dulcimers. $295. Legs only; $186. Brackets only; $115.
DS Folding Stands. Convenient & portable. Sit-down stand; $99. Stand-up stand; $105.
Pedal Operated Damper Systems. For PD40 or D45. Installed $345. Kit to install it yourself; $295. For D500, D550, D600, D650, Rizzetta Compact, Rizzetta Standard, Rizzetta ER; $495.
For hammers please go to the Hammers page.
RIZZETTA HAMMER DULCIMERS
Dulcimers designed by Sam Rizzetta. For the time being Sam is building experimental instruments only. Therefore, the regular Rizzetta models listed here are currently available only from Nicholas Blanton. Contact Nicholas for details and current prices; Nicholas Blanton Instruments. From time to time Sam will have one-of-a-kind experimental and used dulcimers available, and they will be listed here at the bottom of the page.
These instruments are the results of Sam’s 40+ years of experience and ongoing research and experiments. Options for Rizzetta dulcimers now include: “tuned braces” for enhanced tone and power, resin-sealed interior and soundboard for best tuning stability, and carbon fiber back for lighter weight, greater strength, and enhanced tonal clarity, power, and musicality. Check with Nicholas Blanton for current backlog on these dulcimers. Recent waiting time has run about one year.
NOTE: dulcimers with carbon fiber soundboards and frames may be coming soon. Read about the carbon fiber dulcimers and see photos on the News page.
Listed prices are approximate; please check with Nicholas Blanton for current pricing.
Mini. 4-13-12; 3 octaves+; ultra portable; 33″x14″x4″; 9 lbs.; great sound; small size; light weight; a serious dulcimer for travel. $1500.
Compact. 8-16-15; Similar to Standard but extremely portable size & weight; 39″x17″x4″; 14 lbs. Loud, rich tone in a compact size. A favorite of players & performers who want to travel easily & sound good. With carbon fiber back and sealed interior. $2800. All wood, unsealed interior. $2600. Available without the 3rd bridge as an ultralight 16-15; 10lbs., carbon back and sealed. $2600. Will fit in Dusty Strings C45 case; $115.
Standard. 8-16-15; almost 4 octaves; 3 octaves chromatic; 45″x20″x5″; 19 lbs.; 16 lbs. with carbon chassis; rich and powerful tone; redwood top; mosaic inlay; hardwood sides; great all-around dulcimer in a popular size. Carbon chassis and sealed interior. $2900. All wood, unsealed interior. $2700. Case; $325.
Extended Range (ER). 8-19-18; very large, ultimate 5th interval dulcimer; over 4 octaves; 3-1/2 octaves chromatic; 49″x24″x5″; portable version 48″x22″x5″; 19 lbs. with portable carbon frame; amazingly rich tone & lush bass. Carbon chassis and sealed interior. $3900. All wood, unsealed interior. $3600. Case; $380.
Piano Dulcimer 3.7. 6-16-6; 3 octaves + 7 half steps; 45″x20″x5″; easiest chromatic system, see PD info above; like PD40 but larger; more powerful tone. $2150. Custom Piano Dulcimers are also available with an extended bass range.
USED DULCIMERS:
Vintage 1985 Augusta Grande. 16-15; designed by Rizzetta; redwood soundboard; these are prized among some players for their combination of tone, range, and simplicity; maple leaf soundhole rosette; with used case and bronze leg mounts to hold TriStander legs. It has some scratches and dents but also has that vintage tone that only comes from years of aging and playing. Price reduced; $950.
1985 Augusta Grande.
EXPERIMENTAL DULCIMERS:
None are available at this time.