Description
For sale is a vintage Bill Davis “Hourglass” or “Fiddle-Shaped” walnut mountain dulcimer. Bill Davis built more than 1,000 finished dulcimers and another 1,400 (estimated) kits, most of which had elegantly carved head stocks and all of which had wooden pegs. They were sold through his “Davis Dulcimer Shop” in Gatlinburg, TN, in the 1960’s-1980’s. Bill Davis Dulcimers are considered some of the best dulcimers ever crafted. Since there is no Bill Davis signature on this instrument or interior label, it is most likely one that was built from a kit. However, it definitely reflects the Bill Davis craftsmanship.
This instrument is set up for a doubled melody string configuration (5 strings in total), but it may be strung to 3 or 4 string configurations as well. It is made of black walnut and features the original friction style tuning pegs.
A stunningly light body for such a big instrument gives it a bright rather than mellow tone. The volume of body, allied to its shallowness, gives a well-balanced sound with clearly articulated notes.
This dulcimer has a walnut body, with nice figuring throughout, and a rosewood cap on the end block to prevent damage to softer walnut. Unfortunately, this dulcimer has some repair done to one side near the edge, which does not affect playability but does decrease its value.
This dulcimer has a one-piece walnut fingerboard with brass frets. The overall length is 38″, the upper bout is 7 1/4″ inches, the lower bout is 7 1/2″ , and the shallow body is 1 3/4″.
The original case is in poor condition on the outside with some ripped tolex but all latches work and the red plush interior is in excellent condition. Even if you are not a dulcimer player, this is a wonderful vintage collectible instrument, a great conversation piece, and part of our American heritage. See it at Hank’s Guitar Shop in Clearwater.
