Fraley Plywood [Dulcimer], Eastern Kentucky

Fraley Plywood [Dulcimer], Eastern Kentucky

David Schnaufer purchased this hourglass-shaped dulcimer from A. Fraley of Kentucky in 1989. It was most likely made in the early 20th century.

DS-15

Kentucky

E

Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, Tennessee

S. Conatser; Z. Law

34" x 7 7/8" x 2"

bottom and sides appear to be oak; top is plywood; fretboard is pine; back and top are nailed to the sides; simple upturned scroll peghead with no decorative carving; peghead and fretboard are carved from a single piece of wood that attaches to a separate piece of wood at the tailpiece; slight strum hollow carved into fretboard; unidentified circular impression in side of fretboard; carved wooden button on tailpiece serves as string anchor; bridge made of plastic; 3 mahogany tuners not original to instrument; 14 frets, bent wire, varying thicknesses, most of which extend across fretboard; sound holes are two small, crudely-carved S-shapes; instrument is filled with mud and remains of mud dauber nests; damage to side near tailpiece