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2/11 circa mid-19th century
5 ½ x 16 ½ x 39 ½
This exact dulcimer is not described in Paul Gifford's book, "Hammered Dulcimer: A History." The distinguishing characteristics of
this dulcimer include four sound holes (rather than the usual two), and a red-painted soundboard (rather than black, which was more typical). Probably dates from the mid part of the 19th century.
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12/11 circa 1810-1830
4 3/4 x 12 x 43
This type of 12/11 dulcimer is not mentioned in Paul Gifford's book, "Hammered Dulcimer: A History." According to the original eBay entry, the dulcimer is only 12" wide. This dulcimer has an especially elaborate
soundboard, and has triangular compartments in the upper corners of the case. In correspondence with Paul Gifford, he estimates that it dates from 1810 - 1830.
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11/5 circa 1880
Although the dulcimer pictured is an 11/5, it perfectly matches the description of the 11/6 described on page 295 of Paul Gifford's book, "Hammered Dulcimer: A History":
"A commercial instrument by an unknown maker, which came from Ontario and probably dates from the 1880s, bears the stenciled inscription 'piano dulcimer.' This has eleven treble courses of three strings each, except the
lowest, which has two strings, and six bass courses of two strings each. Its soundboard, lacking sound holes, is decorated with bronze painted designs and has notes stenciled under each course. They indicate common North American
tuning, including bass courses an octave below the neighboring treble courses."
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11/7 circa 1859
According to Paul Gifford, the 11/7 hammered dulcimer with three strings per Treble course and two strings per Bass course appeared in the 1840s in New York State, and was made by the Wade brothers, of Stedham, NY. The Wades may also
have had a factory in Milton, Kentucky that produced a dulcimer similar to this one: two tilde-shaped sound holes and finished in walnut or mahogany veneer on the sides and upper free surfaces. An interesting characteristic is that the
edges of the sound holes are beveled, so that when you look down on the dulcimer, you cannot see the edge of the soundboard through the sound holes.
This dulcimer is now in the possession of Dana Hamilton of Arlington, Texas.
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11/7 circa 1859
4 1/8 X 39 1/8 X 15 1/8
Paul Gifford describes this type of dulcimer in his book:
''The Wade's competitor Henry Ransom produced rectangular dulcimers of this type, with eleven treble courses of four strings each and seven bas courses of two strings each. His earlier models, made probably when his
factory was located in Sherman, New York, from 1856 to 1859, measure 39 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 3 3/4 to 4 inches in height, some with lids 2 1/2 inches in height. They have two heart-shaped sound holes backed by
cloth, with gold-painted margins, and are covered with mahogany, walnut, or bird's-eye-maple veneer.''
This dulcimer is now in the possession of Dan Landrum.
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12/4 circa 1875-1885
43 ½" x 15 ¼" x 4 3/8" (with lid)
Paul Gifford describes this dulcimer in correspondence with its owner, David Smith:
"What you have is a dulcimer manufactured by Elon Hackett or his son J. Wheeler Hackett, in Liberty Center, Ohio. Wheeler was active as late as about 1890, but it's hard to put a precise date on yours. Let's say 1875-1885.
Elon and family moved there in 1868 and he made a lot of dulcimers. They are probably the most common variety in eastern Ohio, southeastern Michigan, northern Indiana, etc.... Yours is in quite nice condition."
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12/3 circa 1865-1867
Submitted by Luke Kawecki.
Paul Gifford says the following about the 12/3 arrangement:
"Associated with this layout are a trapezoidal outline, individual, turned bridges, and two sound holes consisting of a central hole and usually six concentric smaller holes.... The most prolific manufacturers of dulcimers of this type were Elon and his son Josheph Wheeler Hackett, of Liberty Center, Ohio."
In correspondence with Luke, Paul states that this dulcimer may be an early Elon Hackett, built while in New York and before he moved to Ohio. Note that only one of the original three bass bridges is still present.
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12/10 circa 1865-1867
Submitted by Luke Kawecki.
This is also a Hackett hammered dulcimer, but is a 12/10 (not mentioned in Paul Gifford's book). It has four strings per Treble course and two strings per Bass course. Note that the Bass bridge is directly adjacent to the right pin block.
This hammered dulcimer was owned and played by Clayton Perry, an old time fiddle player in Henry Ford's band. Clayton refurbished the dulcimer in 1924 with new strings, bridges and burl maple laminate.
On the bottom of the dulcimer it says: "#6, Ford Make".
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12/11 circa unknown
Submitted by Dana Hamilton.
Appears to be a handcrafted hammered dulcimer with Piano tuning pins and 16-penny nails as hitch pins. Offers a rare view of the internal support system. Note the use of three internal soundboard supports. Each support is flat-topped.
The soundboard of this dulcimer is of a single piece of mahogany that varies in thickness from 1/4" to 3/8". Pin blocks and rails are of maple. Rails are dovetailed and screwed together. Bridge rods are of 1/4" brass tubing. Bottom
panel is 3/4" thick. Rails are 1" thick. Pin block angle is 25-degrees.
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Note: All historical references or estimates are based on Paul M. Gifford's book, The Hammered Dulcimer: A History. The Scarecrow Press, Inc., Lanham, Maryland, and London. 2001.
Hammered dulcimer photos are contributed from various soruces. Contact Ardie if you would like to contribute to this page.
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