Legend Hammer Dulcimers are made in the US by Folkcraft and are among the most innovative hammer dulcimer designs available. Because of their unique arch construction, they are better able to hold their tuning than most other dulcimers. Conventional hammer dulcimers are built using a flat frame and rely on wood density to withstand the effect of several thousand pounds of string tension trying to collapse the structure. As a result, these instruments are heavy and require constant tuning when they are moved or as humidity conditions change. The Folkcraft design arches the frame of the whole instrument stretching the strings over a much stronger shape. The benefits are that 1) the string tension works for the dulcimer and not against it, 2) a stronger structure results in increased tuning stability, and 3) positive soundboard tension, created by the arching, enhances tonal balance and volume throughout the instrument. Every feature incorporated into a Legend Hammer Dulcimer has been analyzed as to its effect on playability and sound from string types and sizes to wood choices.