Yeah, balalaikas come in all sizes up to enormous double-bass versions. Mine is what I think is the basic size, about the same size as a small mandola, and with three strings (sometimes they have three course of two strings instead).

I have thought of trying to use mountain dulcimenr as a guide - but even if the tuning is the same, the approach to playing is radically different. (Though I know thgere are umpteen different ways of playing dulcimers.)

But is there noone out there who plays the balalaika themsleves? Maybe in Australia?