{"product_id":"roosebeck-prima-balalaika-walnut-lacewood","title":"Roosebeck Prima Balalaika, Walnut \u0026 Lacewood Staves","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"rb-badges\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rb-badge\"\u003e3-String\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"rb-badge\"\u003eWalnut \u0026amp; Lacewood Staves\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"rb-badge\"\u003e430mm Scale\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"rb-badge\"\u003eIncludes Gig Bag\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rb-audience\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Folk musicians, world music enthusiasts, and players drawn to Russian and Eastern European traditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rb-tagline\"\u003eA traditional Russian voice with a striking two-tone bowed back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rb-intro\"\u003eThe Roosebeck Prima Balalaika is the standard-tuned voice of the balalaika family, the size and shape that defines the instrument in the Russian musical tradition. The slightly bowed back is built from alternating staves of walnut and lacewood, two woods that contrast in tone and color, giving the bowl both visual character and acoustic complexity. At roughly 27 inches long with a 430mm scale, this is an instrument you can pick up, tune, and start exploring within an afternoon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-nav\"\u003e\n\u003cbutton class=\"rb-acc-btn active\" data-panel=\"bllpw-sound\"\u003eSound\u003c\/button\u003e \u003cbutton class=\"rb-acc-btn\" data-panel=\"bllpw-design\"\u003eDesign\u003c\/button\u003e \u003cbutton class=\"rb-acc-btn\" data-panel=\"bllpw-start\"\u003eTuning \u0026amp; Playing\u003c\/button\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-nav-row2\"\u003e\n\u003cbutton class=\"rb-acc-btn\" data-panel=\"bllpw-specs\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/button\u003e \u003cbutton class=\"rb-acc-btn\" data-panel=\"bllpw-box\"\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/button\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel-wrapper open\" id=\"bllpw-sound\" style=\"max-height: 600px;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBright, Cutting Russian Folk Tone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe triangular body and slightly arched back project a bright, percussive tone that cuts through ensemble playing. Three nylon strings (tuned A, E, E above middle C) give the Prima its characteristic shimmer when strummed with the index finger high on the soundboard near the neck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the tonewoods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Walnut adds warmth and depth to the bowl. Lacewood, with its distinctive flecked grain, brightens the response. Alternating the two staves gives the Prima a more complex resonance than a single-wood bowl.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel-wrapper\" id=\"bllpw-design\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Triangular Shape That Defines Russian Music\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe classic triangular body adopted in the late 19th century is what makes a balalaika instantly recognizable. The slightly bowed back, built from alternating walnut and lacewood staves, contrasts beautifully with the lighter soundboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA decorative walnut panel below the soundhole protects the soundboard from the strumming finger, a practical detail that doubles as ornament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA bit of history:\u003c\/strong\u003e The balalaika became Russia's most beloved folk instrument in the 18th century. It was Vassily Andreyev who, in the late 1800s, brought it from village ballads onto the concert stage with his Great Russian Imperial Balalaika Orchestra.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel-wrapper\" id=\"bllpw-start\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEasy to Tune, Easy to Start\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard Prima tuning is A, E, E above middle C. The thinnest first string lays over more frets than the second and third. Use a piano or electronic tuner as a reference. Each tuning peg adjusts via a screw on the top, so you can fine-tune tension exactly where you want it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaying technique is simple: the left hand frets the strings while the right index finger strums high on the soundboard near the neck. The instrument rewards a light touch and rapid strumming patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNew strings recommended:\u003c\/strong\u003e The strings shipped on every balalaika are travel strings. Once you've broken in the instrument, swap them for a fresh set to get the brightest possible tone.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel-wrapper\" id=\"bllpw-specs\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"rb-specs-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 (nylon)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTuning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA, E, E (above middle C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScale Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e430mm (16.9 inches)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 27 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBody Shape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClassic triangular\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBack Construction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlternating walnut and lacewood staves, slightly bowed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoundboard Guard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDecorative walnut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTuning Pegs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdjustable tension via top screw\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel-wrapper\" id=\"bllpw-box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-acc-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Prima Balalaika ships ready to tune and play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-box-items\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rb-box-tag\"\u003ePick\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"rb-box-tag\"\u003eNylon Gig Bag\u003c\/span\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/3558507.app.netsuite.com\/core\/media\/media.nl?id=330613\u0026amp;c=3558507\u0026amp;h=k5TY9lRWDyBmJW4mucW0GTCESM7rmk17F0RR7ZkzJltqgnq2\u0026amp;_xt=.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Balalaika Owners Guide\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rb-box-tag\"\u003eOwner's Guide (PDF)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rb-cta\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHave questions about this instrument?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eContact us\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/balalaikas\"\u003ebrowse all Balalaikas\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Roosebeck","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45088591413384,"sku":"BLLPW","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/1080\/6920\/files\/Roosebeck_Prima_Balalaika_-_Walnut_BLLPW_01.jpg?v=1778083977","url":"https:\/\/roosebeck.com\/products\/roosebeck-prima-balalaika-walnut-lacewood","provider":"Roosebeck","version":"1.0","type":"link"}