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Roosebeck

Roosebeck Emma 4-String Mountain Dulcimer

Roosebeck Emma 4-String Mountain Dulcimer

4-String Solid Sheesham Spruce Top Vaulted Fretboard Step-Up Model

Ideal for: Experienced players and anyone ready to upgrade from a starter dulcimer

The Roosebeck step-up dulcimer, with refinement you can feel in your hands.

The Emma is Roosebeck's step-up mountain dulcimer, built for players who want a little more refinement in their instrument. While it shares the Grace's proven vaulted fretboard design and solid sheesham construction, the Emma features upgraded finishing details and enhanced tonal qualities that discerning players will notice immediately.

Warm, Full, Articulate Tone

The solid sheesham body pairs with a straight-grained spruce soundboard and f-hole openings for a sound that's warm, full, and articulate. The upgraded finishing on the Emma gives the instrument a more polished voice with noticeably better note definition, especially when fingerpicking.

About the tonewoods: Sheesham is a dense hardwood from the rosewood family prized for warmth and resonance. The spruce soundboard responds dynamically to both strumming and fingerpicking.

A Refined Take on the Vaulted Fretboard

The vaulted fretboard lifts the playing surface away from the soundboard, giving the top more freedom to vibrate and project. It's a noticeable difference in volume and responsiveness compared to flat-fretboard dulcimers.

The Emma's upgraded fit and finish shows in the details: cleaner joinery, refined edge work, and a presentation that holds its own on stage or on display.

Why vaulted matters: On a flat-fretboard dulcimer, the fretboard sits directly on the soundboard, dampening vibration. The vaulted design creates an air gap that lets the soundboard resonate freely.

A Natural Upgrade for Experienced Players

Set up as a 4-string with two melody, one middle, and one bass drone, with DAD tuning recommended. Geared right-angle tuners with a 14:1 ratio provide smooth, precise tuning, and the full 18-fret layout with 6½ and 13½ frets gives you chromatic range for playing in multiple modes.

Ready to upgrade? If you have been playing a while and want an instrument with more presence and polish, the Emma is a natural next step. Players often notice the difference within the first few minutes.

Technical Specifications

Strings 4 (2 melody, 1 middle, 1 bass)
Scale Length 25.5 inches
Body Wood Solid Sheesham
Soundboard Spruce
Sound Holes F-Holes
Frets 18 (including 6½ and 13½)
Tuners Right-angle geared, 14:1 ratio
Nut Width 1.25 inches
Dimensions 34 inches L × 7 inches W × 3 inches H
Weight 2.5 lbs

What's in the Box

Every Emma Mountain Dulcimer ships with everything you need to start playing.

Pick Noter Owner's Guide (PDF)

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

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