Appalachian Dulcimer and Case, used by Richard Fariña

Object Details

Farina, Richard

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.

1961 - 1962

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

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National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-bea6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa