Leonard Glenn 4-String Model Appalachian Dulcimer (1981), Sugar Grove, North Carolina.
As a renewed interest in traditional folk music swelled in the nation in the 1950s following WWII, Leonard Glenn of Watauga County, North Carolina began to largely teach himself the craft of instrument making beginning with a few dulcimers and eventually mountain banjos; he would go on to be accompanied in his endeavors by his son, Clifford Glenn. Crucially, the Glenns are widely known to have built many historically significant Appalachian folk instruments for their neighbor, Frank Proffitt Sr. Proffitt is not only renowned as a builder, but as a folk performer who made a major contribution to American musical history including being featured in Alan Lomax's essential "Folk Songs of North America."
This is a pretty straightforward, but nicely constructed example of a classic 4-string Appalachian dulcimer made; it bears a wormy chestnut body with what appears to be a cherry headstock, friction tuners, fingerboard and tailpiece with stainless steel frets. It has a traditional hourglass shaped body and the ever-charming heart shaped soundholes. Wormy chestnut is a bright and beautiful tonewood with a macabre story straight out of a Flannery O'Connor southern gothic: in the early 1900's, a blight struck the American chestnut and led to a near complete wiping out of the species save a handful of living (but infertile) remaining trees. Citizens were encouraged to use the wood of dead or felled chestnut trees, though often the wood sat dormant long enough to become host to the worms that characterize this still sturdy choice tonewood.
Length is 36 in. (91.4 cm.), 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point
This is an excellently preserved example of a higher quality genuine handmade dulcimer. The wood appears largely unscuffed all around with minimal signs of use overall except for one visible spot on the lower bass side bout. It seems likely that this corner took a fall and was reglued and smoothed to a stable, sealed bevel. Compared to common kit-made Dulcimers Glenn's superior buildsmanship is evident in the professional fitting and finishing work, the little ornamental details and of course the crystal clear and rather loud sound it produces. The handwritten Leonard Glenn label is intact inside. It would almost certainly have not left the shop in an original bag or case, but it now resides in an absolutely precious handmade dulcimer bag that very well could have been made for the original owner judging by its age. Very Good + Condition.
