Chromatic hammered dulcimers may be the best choice for those whose musical interests require lots of sharps and flats. Dusty Strings chromatic series dulcimers are highly-regarded, sophisticated, professional-caliber instruments. This does not mean you have to be a professional to play one. Anyone whose budget and desire permits will thoroughly enjoy owning one of these models. Time-tested and road-worthy, the chromatic series dulcimers have a sound quality that is unrivaled.
Through their wide dynamic range, these instruments sing with articulate clarity and power at any volume level. If lush, grand piano-like bass is what you long for, look at the D600 and D650, our biggest models. On a mid-sized soundbox, the D500 and D550 offer a popular balance of rich bass and portability. The D300 is our smallest, lightest chromatic which delivers the sophisticated sound of this series in an instrument that emphasizes portability over big bass response.
The tuning scheme for our chromatic series is a variation of the traditional fifth-interval tuning. The chromatic notes either replace duplicated notes or are added via extra bridges. A player accustomed to the traditional tuning will find it easy to make the slight adaptation to this versatile tuning. With this capability, musical styles such as classical, ragtime, bluegrass, jazz and rock can be more thoroughly explored on the hammered dulcimer.
Add dampers to any of these models for ultimate versatility, sustain-control and fun. Because of the sustain inherent in low bass range, dampers are particularly useful and appreciated by players of the D600 and D650 models.
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| Maple leaf soundhole insert |
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| Binding and purfling |
The chromatic series instruments were designed in collaboration with Sam Rizzetta, a highly respected designer, builder, and player of hammered dulcimers since the 1960s. They use Sam’s signature asymmetrical design, which places the treble bridge perpendicular to the frame rails for ease of playing.
The single sound hole is decorated with a hand-carved maple leaf insert, a signature feature of our chromatic line. Contrasting solid-wood binding and delicate multi-layered veneers called purfling add a professional finish detail to the soundboard.