Photos of our new "RBD"
Our newly designed and soon to be released RBD 22-22-8 is destined to become one of our all time favorites in the J&K family of finely hand-crafted Hammered Dulcimers.  Our pre-production prototypes have proven themselves over 2 years of hard use and abuse.  They have exceeded our wildest dreams and expectations for sound, tonal clarity and beauty.  Double click on the photo to view enlarged photos,
The following photos are of the first production model of our newly designed and soon to be in full production RBD 22-22-8 Extended Range Dulcimer.  This shot was taken in our lacquer booth.  This dulcimer is the culmination of over 4 years work.  The new extended range (5 full Octaves) required a complete re-tooling and re-jigging of our shop.  The complex stringing and bridge arrangement required enlisting the assistance of friend and fellow musician, Roger Mikulas.  Roger has recently retired his position as Chief Design Engineer, Small Car Division, General Motors. Corp.  He used his extensive engineering skills to mathematically calculate the critical placement of each tuning pin, hitch pin and string.  He was also required to completely re-design our bridge layouts to accommodate the new extended range.  Our newly designed jigs allow us to faithfully reproduce his design, insuring each pin and string to the precise these accurate (+)(-).001 in.  These calculations had to be transferred from paper to our jig system and prototypes had to be built.  After uncountable mock ups, jig changes, test cuts, test fits, test instruments and the test of time, we are finally convinced we have finalized our building procedures and have already began construction of the first 8 Production RBD's.
Please note: All the artwork you are about to see is hand done by Kathie.  This is the right hand pin block.  The left one is a  mirror image of this one.  She develops her art patterns, hand engraves the dulcimer, then artfully applies dies and stains to produce the brilliant color displayed on this dulcimer.
	This close-up shows only a portion of the incredible detail involved with this Dragon pattern.
This shot is of the back of the dulcimer.  Developing this color technique hasn't been without trials and tribulations,  Unforeseen complications required Kathie re-do this back a couple of different times.  After a couple of hundred hours of artwork, she quit trying to keep track and is satisfied by the acknowledgement that it "took a while" to complete.
	Roger owns and races a Morgan.  Kathie engraved this from a photo Roger provided.
This is the Left Hand Dragon on the Sound Board
	This is the Dragon located on the right side of the Sound Board.
The bridges for the dulcimer aren't yet ready for photos.  The wood is highly figured Black Walnut with Inlaid Mother of Pearl Bridge Position markers.
The large vocal range (5 octaves) gives this dulcimer a flexibility we have only dreamed of having in the past.  In our early prototypes, we had positioned the bass bridge on the lower left side of the sound board.  Popular opinion seemed to indicate a preference for the low bass notes to be on the lower right, where all the other bass notes are, so that's where we're putting them.
Our unique construction methods have produced a dulcimer that we feel is unparalleled for responsiveness to touch, clarity of tonal quality, fullness of voice, resonant bass and crystal clear highs.
Our "Controlled Decay" design allows you to hear every note clearly and distinctly.  Our carefully controlled sustain/decay ratio will allow you to play with more sensitivity and expression than you ever thought possible.
J&K is actively working with manufacturers to provide custom built electronics to be added to future models.  We're talking cool little things like on-board electronic tuners, built-in pre-amp systems, built-in volume and tone control, and this is only the beginning.
J&K Enterprises, LLC
Kathie Hudson, CEO
310 E. Chicago Blvd.
Britton, Michigan 49229
734-526-9497
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