• Hammered Dulcimer 10-9 Rosewood Stock Photo
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Hammered Dulcimer

Roosebeck 10/9 Hammered Dulcimer, 19 Strings

$599
$599
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10/9 Layout 19 Strings Rosewood or Walnut Color-Coded Bridges Back Carry Handle

Ideal for: Beginners and anyone who wants a first hammered dulcimer that is light enough to carry anywhere

The starting size, in rosewood or walnut.

The 10/9 is where most players begin. Nineteen single strings across two bridges give you the range for the core folk and Celtic repertoire without the weight or the learning curve of a larger instrument, and at 32 inches long it fits in a car seat and on a lap. The color-coded bridge saddles take the guesswork out of finding your way around the strings, and the opening in the back doubles as a carrying handle. Choose a rosewood or walnut body; the instrument is otherwise identical.

Sweet, Bell-Like Tone in a Compact Instrument

Nineteen single strings give the 10/9 a clear, articulate voice with a quick decay, which is part of why it suits learning: you hear each note distinctly instead of losing it in the sustain of a larger instrument. The soundboard is light-colored hardwood with a single sound hole covered by a rosette carved in a vine and leaf pattern, and the body wood you choose sits underneath that, rosewood adding density and warmth, walnut running slightly brighter and more open.

Where the name comes from: Dulcimer traces back to the Latin dulcis and the Greek melos, roughly "sweet tune." The instrument itself originated in the Middle East and has been played across the world for centuries.

Built to Be Carried

The 10/9 layout means 10 strings cross the treble bridge on the left and 9 cross the bass bridge on the right, 19 in total, spaced 1 inch apart. That spacing is generous enough that you are not fighting the instrument while your hammer technique is still forming.

The body bottom is multi-layered in your chosen wood with an opening in the back that works as a carrying handle, and the sides are genuine rosewood or walnut to match. Two nuts sit along the sides, and 19 metal tuning pegs thread into the body opposite 19 end pegs, anchoring every string firmly.

Color-coded bridge saddles: The saddles on each bridge are color-coded to help you identify string positions while you are still learning the layout. A practical detail that makes a real difference in the first weeks of playing.

Tuning and First Steps

The recommended tuning is the Traditional Fifth Interval, and the owner's guide includes a complete tuning chart so you are not guessing. Use the included T-shaped tuning tool to bring each string up to pitch, working across the instrument systematically rather than jumping around.

For reference, the distance from the left nut to the first bridge at the top should be 0.6 inches (16 mm), and from the left nut to the first bridge at the bottom should be 0.98 inches (24.9 mm). The owner's guide has a clear diagram if you want to check your bridge placement.

New to hammered dulcimer? Start with the owner's guide tuning chart before you pick up the hammers. A well-tuned instrument teaches you what each string should sound like, which makes learning by ear much faster.

Technical Specifications

Layout 10/9 (10 treble, 9 bass)
Strings 19 single, 1 inch spacing
Body Wood Rosewood or walnut
Soundboard Light hardwood with matching rosette
Nuts 2, matching body wood
Tuning Pegs 19 metal, threaded into body
End Pegs 19 metal
Bridges Matching body wood, color-coded saddles
Recommended Tuning Traditional Fifth Interval
Dimensions 32 inches L × 12 inches W × 3.75 inches H
Weight 11.75 lbs
String care: Strings carry no warranty, and makers suggest replacing them every 3 to 4 months. Keep a spare set on hand, wipe the strings with a dry cloth after playing, and plan on fresh strings if the instrument has been stored for a while.

What's in the Box

Everything you need to tune up and start playing arrives with the instrument.

Pair of Hammers Tuning Tool Extra String Set Owner's Guide (PDF)

Hammers may vary from the photo. Stand (DHST) sold separately.

Have questions about this instrument? Contact us or browse all Hammered Dulcimers.

Questions about this instrument?
Talk to our team or browse all hammered dulcimers.
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Roosebeck 10/9 Hammered Dulcimer, 19 Strings

Rosewood

$599
$599
Tradition you can feel, craftsmanship you can hear.
Solid tonewoods
Cured, cut, and chosen for sound.
Voiced by hand
Fretboards dressed, action set, bridges fit by our luthiers.
Made to be played
Built for working musicians, designed to sound better the more you play it.
Since 1973
Five decades of building instruments that last generations.