Object Details
user
Farina, Richard
maker
Hennessy, Terry
Description (Brief)
This Appalachian dulcimer was made by Terry Hennessy in London, England, between 1961 and 1962. It is a single-bout dulcimer with a mahogany plywood back and Sapele mahogany sides, African walnut fretboard, Taiwanese spruce top, and a plastic pick guard. The dulcimer has 4 heart-shaped sound holes, 18 metal frets, 4 mechanical tuners, and a round head inlaid with an “H”.”
This dulcimer was the played by folk singer Richard Fariña on his first album. A few original banjo strings placed by Fariña remain. It was accessioned with a custom case said to have been made by Paul Arnoldi. Hennessy made two reproductions of this instrument in between 1999 and 2001.
Credit Line
Gift of Mimi Fariña (through Lana Y. Severn)
date made
1961 - 1962
ID Number
COLL.2001.0143
catalog number
2001.0143.01.01
2001.0143.01
accession number
2001.0143
Object Name
dulcimer
Physical Description
mahogany plywood (dulcimer back material)
saple mahogany (dulcimer sides material)
African walnut (dulcimer fretboard material)
Taiwanese spruce (dulcimer top material)
plastic (dulcimer pick up guard material)
Measurements
overall (case): 37 1/2 in x 9 in x 4 3/4 in; 95.25 cm x 22.86 cm x 12.065 cm
overall (dulcimer): 92 cm x 18 cm x 9 cm; 36 7/32 in x 7 3/32 in x 3 17/32 in
place made
United Kingdom: England, London
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1858175