Appalachian Dulcimer

This Appalachian dulcimer was made by an unknown maker, provenance and date undetermined. It is an unusual shaped double-bout dulcimer with a “wasp-waist,” 16 metal frets on a painted fretboard, 3 strings (2 melody and 1 drone), 6 small round sound holes and 2 tubular-shaped sound holes, and “bishop’s nose” style head with 3 metal tuning pins.

As per the collector’s notes, the tuning head resembles some dulcimers found in Tennessee. Anne Grimes acquired several instruments from the antique dealer Mr. W. Breedlove, known as “Unaka Bill,” who collected instruments in the areas of eastern Tennessee and western Virginia to sell to antique dealers and collectors of musical instruments. It’s possible that this dulcimer, may have come from that area. Although it has no indication of age, Grimes believed it was made before 1940, and was possibly raised to one’s shoulder and pointed down when played.

Anne Grimes (1912-2004) was an American journalist, musician, and historian of American (particularly Midwestern) folklore. Grimes studied voice and piano at Ohio Wesleyan and initiated graduate studies at Ohio State University. Following her education, Grimes was a music teacher, music and dance critic, and radio host. After WWII, Grimes began collecting and documenting folk songs throughout Ohio, as well as collecting Appalachian dulcimers and zithers. She would continue this work, performing, recording, and lecturing on instruments from her collection throughout the rest of her career.