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.  

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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»?

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Permalink Reply by Metal hic on April 26, 2017 at 6:52am

you're right. Anyway, its a nice instrument

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Permalink Reply by Termoking on April 25, 2017 at 7:43pm

This is the European version of a dulcimer, a Hummel (German) or (in Dutch) Hommel or Vlier. Epinette is the French name.

Or Belgium Musical Instrument Museum have a nice collection of these: MIM

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Permalink Reply by Termoking on April 25, 2017 at 10:53pm

Search for 'hommel' at the website above..

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Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on April 26, 2017 at 1:55am

did a search for "Hommel"as suggested . looks exactly like Shanes instruments.

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Permalink Reply by RonCrosswhite on April 26, 2017 at 12:40am

Epinette Des Voges, from the Voges mountain area of France

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Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on April 26, 2017 at 12:50am

Why just an «Epinette des Vosges» and not another member of this widespread family of instruments?

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