Browse Items (18 total)

  • Collection: The David Schnaufer Instrument Collection

[Lawrence County Dulcimer #4]

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David Schnaufer purchased this instrument from Carriage House Antiques in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, in the early 1990s. The instrument itself dates from the late 1800s, and although it is not signed, its likely builder is T. R. Goodman, as at least…

Jethro Amburgey Dulcimer, Hindman, KY

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This instrument was built in 1970 by Jethro Amburgey of Hindman, Kentucky. An inscription in cursive handwriting incised into the strum hollow of the fretboard reads: "Jethro Amburgey/Hindman, Key./10-20-70/#1165. Its hourglass shape is virtually…

[Coffee County Dulcimer #1]

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This dulcimer was purchased by Paul Pyle of Tullahoma, Tennessee in the early 1970s, and later sold by his wife to David Schnaufer in 2002. It

A label affixed to the side of the instrument reads as follows:

THE HARMONICA

Mfg. & sold…

Leonard Glenn [Dulcimer], Sugar Grove, NC

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David Schnaufer's handwritten tag attached to this dulcimer reads "Schnaufer/Leonard Glenn/1977/Sugar Grove/N.C. A piece of paper glued to the interior of the back inside the soundbox and undertneath the sound hole in the lower bout has a signature…

Bowed Dulcimer, by Sylvan James, Gass[a]way, West Virginia

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This instrument was built in 1969 by Sylvan James of Gassaway, WV. In Gerald Milnes's 1999 book Play of a Fiddle, James is described as a "pre-Revival Braxton County dulcimer maker, Lower Mill Creek."

Big Tyler Mountain Dulcimer

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Schnaufer's notes for this instrument read as follows: "Big Tyler Mt., West Virginia/1911/Maker - Denis McCown for Helen Melton Saffel/Owner Schnaufer/Purchased from Wanda Parrish (Las Vegas, Nevada), great niece of Helen Saffel, 1987." Wanda Parrish…

Walter Miller Hourglass [Dulcimer], West Virginia

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This instrument was made by Walter Miller of Tioga, West Virginia, in 1992.

[Lawrence County Dulcimer #2]

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This instrument was owned by David Schnaufer, and dates from the early twentieth century. Its unusual sound hole is identical to that of another instrument owned by G. of Pulaski, Tennessee. Given the unusual height of the bridge and nut, this…

[Sullivan County Dulcimer #1]

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This music box dates from the late 19th century, and was purchased by David Schnaufer around 1990 for $325 from an antique dealer in Black Mountain, NC.

Hex Dulcimer, KY/WV

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This instrument was purchased by David Schnaufer in 1994 from an unnamed woman who had purchased it in Ashland, Kentucky. The maker, date, and place are unknown, but a possible "mate" to this instrument is held at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins,…