Leonard Glenn 4-String Appalachian Dulcimer (1973)
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Leonard Glenn 4-String Appalachian Model Dulcimer (1973), made in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, cherry, handmade gig bag case.
As a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential "Folk Songs of North America."
This is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made entirely of handsomely grained cherry wood with friction tuners and a wooden tailpiece over stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. The string spacing is interesting on this very comfortable playing dulcimer; rather than one course of two closely parallel strings, the center two strings are close enough to be fretted together but still far enough apart to be played as individual strings.
Overall length is 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm.), 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The cherry appears unscuffed and hardly touched all around with minimal signs of use overall and no evidence of any major repair; it does seem like a small dab of glue was pumped into the back seam towards the headstock which may have separated slightly but never cracked or fully come apart. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside and the whole unit held close emits a faint, woody aroma when held close. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Excellent Condition.
As a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential "Folk Songs of North America."
This is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made entirely of handsomely grained cherry wood with friction tuners and a wooden tailpiece over stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. The string spacing is interesting on this very comfortable playing dulcimer; rather than one course of two closely parallel strings, the center two strings are close enough to be fretted together but still far enough apart to be played as individual strings.
Overall length is 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm.), 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The cherry appears unscuffed and hardly touched all around with minimal signs of use overall and no evidence of any major repair; it does seem like a small dab of glue was pumped into the back seam towards the headstock which may have separated slightly but never cracked or fully come apart. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside and the whole unit held close emits a faint, woody aroma when held close. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Excellent Condition.