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Appalachian Dulcimer, used by Richard Fariña

American History Museum

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    Object Details

    user

    Farina, Richard

    maker

    Hennessy, Terry

    Description

    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”.”

    It 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.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of Mimi Fariña (through Lana Y. Severn)

    date made

    1961 - 1962

    ID Number

    2001.0143.01

    accession number

    2001.0143

    catalog number

    2001.0143.01

    Object Name

    dulcimer

    Physical Description

    mahogany plywood (back material)
    saple mahogany (sides material)
    African walnut (fretboard material)
    Taiwanese spruce (top material)
    plastic (pick up guard material)

    Measurements

    overall: 92 cm x 18 cm x 9 cm; 36 1/4 in x 7 1/16 in x 3 9/16 in
    dulcimer: 3 3/4 in x 6 7/8 in x 36 3/4 in; 9.525 cm x 17.4625 cm x 93.345 cm

    place made

    United Kingdom: England, London

    See more items in

    Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
    Music & Musical Instruments
    Dulcimers

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-a5b9-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_1216300

    Discover More

    A Selected Bibliography of Hammered and Plucked Dulcimers and Related Instruments

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