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Appalachian Dulcimer, used by Richard Fariña

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Farina, Richard
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)
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
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_1216300
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-a5b9-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • The Hammered Dulcimer

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