#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

MYSTERY INSTRUMENT: What are these antique dulcimer things?

I recently won these two instruments in an eBay auction. The seller said that these were found in a Massachusetts house from 1900 that was being demoed. No other information was given.

First, here's a video tour around them both:

The instruments appear to be handmade and are very similar in construction. One is 26" long and the other (with a protruding headstock horn) is 28".

They both feature 18.5" scale lengths, a metal "pickguard" area and body depths between 1.5" and 1.75". Tuning is via traditional zither pins.

Each instrument features a fretted area and a drone string area. The frets are made from bent wire that is inserted into holes in the soundboard. The longer instrument features four strings that are fretted and four strings that are drone. The shorter has three fretted strings and four drones.

Note the long 16 penny nail used as a bridge.

The biggest difference between the two is the number of strings and the headstock shape:

Even the soundholes are similar, apparently made by carving an "X" into the soundboard and then adding additional flourishes.

The headstocks and butt ends are separate from the body and were glued on. You can see the details in the picture of the instruments backs:

These instruments are inspiring me to create my own version. Perhaps an electric version using a 2x4 and pickups?

So what is it? Did I buy a holy grail? Post your observations, conclusions and comments below!

2 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Will Cornell on April 25, 2017 at 6:03am

I'd say those comments relating to Hungary or Eastern Europe would be close to the mark. I get a lot of hurdy gurdy facebook friends that are from all over the world and those in Eastern Europe have posted "dulcimer" news with instruments similar to this that are part zither part what we'd call a mountain/lap/Appalachian dulcimer. You hear a lot that the dulcimer is an American instrument....maybe true but fact is the Germans, Scandinavians, Eastern Europe and France-Low Countries all had similar drone type instruments going wayyyyyy back in time.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Graham on April 25, 2017 at 6:12am

Contact Dusty Strings in Seattle. (866) 634-1656 They are hammer dulcimer experts.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on April 25, 2017 at 6:36am

I think Jim Morris is right with his «Scheitholt» hypothesis, and the «Epinette des Vosges» is just the westernmost representant of this type of zither-like instruments with drone strings, spread all over Central and Northern Europe. Without informations about the genealogy of the owners it will be hard to decide whether it is an European or American instrument, a Tennessee Music Box, and, if European, where it was brought from. Second generation immigrant Rindlisbacher from the «Wisconsin Lumberjacks», to give an example, still was playing with genuine Swiss instruments.

Further, I think the tin sheet where the strings are plucked gives a hint that Shane's instruments are not hammered dulcimers, but plucked with a feather or a pick.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe on April 25, 2017 at 8:26am

Hi guys were ever they came from they have a good home I would leave them as they are so that company can talk about them and how old they are nice find

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Metal hic on April 25, 2017 at 11:16am

It's an "epinette des Vosges", a french instrument, you can find plans and how to on french sites.
http://epinettes.fr/.../instruments/epinette-de-menaurupt/

http://epinette.free.fr/download/fabriquons.pdf

it's played with a pick and a tone stick, or sometimes with fingers; like dulcimer.
you have not found grail, but a rare instrument in your side of the ocean!
It makes a really nice sound

You can tune it like following (french notes La=A si=B etc.)
http://epinette.des.vosges.free.fr/accorder.html

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on April 25, 2017 at 5:59pm

True, as a Frenchman you call this type of instrument «Epinette des Vosges», btw unknown in other parts of France, but shall we wait for a Norseman who says you're wrong, it's a «Langeleik»?