[Lawrence County Dulcimer #2]

[Lawrence County Dulcimer #2]

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 dulcimer was likely played with a metal slide, which reflects the oral histories of Atlas Qualls (Linden, Tennessee) and Lynette Williams (Pulaski, Tennessee). Qualls recalled players making the sound "quiver."

Audio files:
"Barlow Knife"
"John Henry"

DS-21

Lawrence-2

Lawrence County, Tennessee

C

Tennessee State Museum

S., Nashville, Tennessee

S. Conatser, Z. Law

28" x 11 5/8" x 3 1/8"

28 3/8" x 1 3/8"

poplar; dark brown milk paint; one crack in the top; top and back nailed to the sides; no feet; unique sound hole consisting of four arms radiating from a large central sound hole under the fretboard. G. of Pulaski, Tennessee, owns a similar instrument with an identical sound hole; 15 frets from staples; bridge and nut are particularly high; instrument is believed to have been played with a metal slide; tuners appear to be original