News and New Instruments
On this page:
- New CD
- New tune book
- Canoe and Kayak Building book
- Carbon fiber flex hammers
- Experimental carbon fiber hammer and mountain dulcimers
Mountain dulcimer and melodic finger picking are featured on my latest CD. See the Recordings page.
Sound clips, CDs, and downloads are now available at popular music websites. Try: Rizzetta at CD Baby. For the original Trapezoid: Trapezoid at CD Baby
With the addition of MOONLIGHT ON THE RIVER, TUNE BOOK IV, there are now four Rizzetta tune books. See the Books page.
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CANOE AND KAYAK BUILDING THE LIGHT AND EASY WAY, my new book on do-it-yourself ultra-light Kevlar and carbon construction, is now available at bookstores and online book sellers. See the Canoes & Kayaks page.
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Current backlog on hammer dulcimer orders is running about one year. Most orders will be filled by my good friend and long time collaborator Nicholas Blanton while I concentrate on experimental instruments.
I am excited about my experimental dulcimers using carbon fiber technology. My current carbon fiber dulcimers are my favorites due to their wonderful combination of tone, light weight, and ability to stay in tune. Carbon plays an important roll in my favorite hammers also.
HAMMERS
My newest hammers are the result of many years experimentation and development to achieve the best tone and playability. Flexible carbon graphite shafts provide ideal flexibility for best tone. Heads are double-sided and may be flipped over to change sound.
Hammers are available with conventional American thumb and forefinger grip, or with my ergonomic E-Grip. The E-Grip can make dulcimer playing more manageable for those with carpal tunnel syndrone, tendinitis, arthritis, or other thumb, finger, and hand issues. And some players use the E-Grip just because they find it more comfortable. If you suffer any hand or wrist problems, try out these hammers at one of my workshops. They have extended the dulcimer playing careers of many musicians. Go to the Hammers page for photos and more details.
DULCIMERS
Nicholas Blanton and I are now making my dulcimer designs available with carbon fiber backs and resin-sealed interiors. This technology helps to improve the sound, reduce the weight, increase strength, and enhance tuning stability. Because of their combination of portability, powerful sound, and ability to stay in tune, these are among my favorite dulcimers. They are nearly impervious to humidity or dryness which vastly reduces the chore of tuning and the risks of cracking and warping. See the Dulcimer page for models and prices.
DULCIMERS OF THE FUTURE
Carbon Compact hammer dulcimer
HAMMER DULCIMERS: My newest hammer dulcimer uses mostly carbon fiber components, including the soundboard, and it has quickly become the instrument I play the most. It is a RIZZETTA COMPACT model and is several pounds lighter than our COMPACTS with carbon backs and redwood soundboards, making it extremely portable and easy to carry. While the sound is strong, it is not quite as loud as some of my heavier dulcimers with redwood soundboards. However, the tone is sweet, rich, articulate, and musical with a lush warmth and balance throughout the entire range. Sustain is controlled to a pleasing level and individual notes are well-defined with very good projection. Sound is somewhat reminiscent of a mahogany soundboard dulcimer with an especially nice and strong tone for its size.
The major tone and structural components, the soundboard, back, and frame, are carbon fiber. Wood is still used for bridges, pin blocks, and internal braces. The exceptional strength of carbon fiber allows me to save a lot of weight while still making a professional, high quality dulcimer that stays in tune. Weight is 10 lbs., about 60% the weight of an all-wood COMPACT. Since the carbon structure is impervious to moisture, humidity has no effect on tuning. This greatly reduces the risks of traveling or performing outdoors.
The twill weave pattern of the carbon cloth shows through on the frame rails.
The carbon Compact is mostly carbon black in color, although I made the soundboard purple on the test instrument pictured just for fun! Future versions will likely be all black. My usual decorative soundholes are absent. Soundholes would weaken critical areas of the top, so soundholes are in the back and sides. This also works better for projecting sound toward an audience and providing convenient locations to place microphones. For those who prefer a more traditional look, we plan to make carbon dulcimers available with a perimeter frame of decorative hardwood.
I plan to build a few carbon dulcimers to be sold when completed rather than built on order. My friend and collaborator, Nicholas Blanton, may accept orders for them soon. Expect prices to be higher than for non-carbon versions since materials costs and labor are greater.
MOUNTAIN DULCIMERS are not forgotten in my experiments with composites.
I am delighted with the tone and design features of my new carbon fiber fretted dulcimer. The sound is rich and powerful with the characteristic tonal clarity of carbon fiber. And it is waterproof! In a pinch you could use it for a canoe paddle! I’m not yet taking orders but may build a few if there is interest.
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I do not have a walk-in store, but my dulcimers can be seen by appointment at my Inwood studio or at some of the festivals where I perform, teach, or exhibit.
Sam