Folk Roots / Rugg & Jackel Hourglass Dulcimer D-40S

The Folk Roots design goes back to 1969 when two brothers, Howard and Michael Rugg, formed CapriTaurus dulcimers in Felton, California. Michael was the dulcimer player and administrator, Howard the builder. Their main model was a big-bodied, long-scale dulcimer with plenty of power, but also well balanced from treble to bass. In 1973, they were joined by Stephen Jackel and the new team began to make their popular laminated wood dulcimers under the Folk Roots name. In 1976, Michael Rugg left, leaving Rugg and Jackel (and their fellow workers) to turn out thousands of dulcimers. In 1989, the business was sold to Folkcraft who continued to sell their bigger bodied dulcimers under the Folk Roots label – now also called the D series. 

This is a big-bodied, “California-style” hourglass with a solid spruce top and good quality walnut laminate body. Walnut closed pegbox and scroll with quality chrome open-geared tuners with two-hole capstans. Walnut fretboard. Four copper pin string anchors. New Folkcraft strings. Large strap button. Overall length 36 1/2”, lower bout 7 3/4”, depth 2 1/2”, FBW 1 3/8”, VSL 29 1/8” (long scale). Very light for its size.

Square label with a round logo comprising a fan of dulcimers in the shape of a daisy: “FolkRoots Dulcimers/ Rugg and Jackel Music Company/ Made in the United States of America/ [handwritten] D-40S [handwritten] 410851 [1st dulcimer made on April 10th 1985]”.

It is in remarkable condition. The only real blemish is a ding on the top alongside the upper left sound hole. (See photo.)