Acoustic Jam

click on photos for larger image

AJ Walnut

AJ 5 String

Bridge Pin Detail

The Acoustic Jam dulcimer is designed for use in acoustic jam sessions or any playing situation requiring a loud instrument and forceful picking or strumming. This dulcimer is based on the Blue Lion (BD) bass body shape, but with less body height, a 26 1/4" scale and guitar-type bridge pin string attachments. These attributes result in an instrument that produces excellent volume and playability and allows a player to easily set up the instrument for maximum effectiveness.

The guitar bridge pin string attachments allow the use of ball end strings which are easily available in any gauge required. We recommend stringing the standard AJ with .012/.012, .014 and .024w for the easiest playabilty in DAD or DAA. If you tune DAA exclusively you may want to string with three .014's and a .024w bass string, or .014/.014, .016, .024w. A good compromise for players who use both tunings extensively would be .013/.013, .014 or .016, and .024w or .026w. The lighter strings give easier playability while heavier stings yield more volume.

The AJ 5 String can be tuned many different ways depending on a player's needs and creativity. It can be ordered in two configurations; either as a baritone or as a bass. The baritone version is strung with .012, .014, .016, .024w and .032w. The bass version is strung with .012, .014, .024w, .032w and .052w. 

• Common tunings for the AJ 5 baritone are (all from the lowest to highest string):
  • A D A A D; A E A A E, G D G G D and G D G B D
• Common tunings for the AJ 5 bass are:
  • D A D A D and D G D G D

The AJ 6 String is strung with three doubled strings and tunes to standard dulcimer tunings. This is the loudest of the Acoustic Jams and has enormous presence and volume.  It is ideal for chord style playing and and excellent instrument for performing with other instruments. Except for the doubled strings, all the specs are identical to the standard AJ.

The Acoustic Jam is crafted with walnut back and sides and a Western red cedar top. Cherry, curly maple and East Indian rosewood back and siders are available options as is a Sitka spruce top. A scroll peghead is available for the standard AJ for an additional charge.

We would be happy to discuss your individual needs and tailor an instrument to best meet those requirements.