Hello

I’m wondering if you can help me. My name is Jen Clark and I’m writing from Edinburgh, Scotland. I’m in search of an outstanding quality lap dulcimer.

I pioneered Scottish bagpipe music and crossrythmic backings on the dulcimer way back in 1979 when I toured and recorded as a member of a group called the Battlefield Band.

I play an early model Sefan Sobel instrument which is 35 years old (hourglass with four ‘f’ shaped soundholes). It’s the best Sobel dulcimer I’ve every played (and I’ve had my hands on a few), it’s amazingly responsive, much loved and much used.

Quality acoustic instrument building has developed a lot in that time though and I would like a modern second instrument to use for a forthcoming solo album project.

The project will profile the use of the dulcimer in traditional and contemporary Scottish music – including several original pieces – and will involve several guests.

I need a ‘chunky’ sound with full base, a clear melody line and a balanced mid – sensitive string response (for intricate pipe style grace-noting) and the best quality pick up possible (as a supplement to mic). Also precision geared tuning mechanisms and quickly accessible / changeable string access at tail and head. It also needs to be reasonably loud and physically well balanced. It needs to be up to the demands of professional playing and touring – both solo and in a demanding multi instrument line up (including bagpipes) with 6 string – 3 pairs and original fret pattern with one ‘extra’ per octive.

I want it to have a simple, plain, clean look – not highly carved or intricately inlaid – an excellent, modern instrument.

If this fits with what you offer, or a Luther or maker you may know of please get in touch or circulate this message. I’ve included a link to a slow piece loaded on YouTube last year.

I’m most grateful for any assistance you can offer

Kind wishes and thank you very much.
Jen

http://www.jenclark.net
email@jenclark.net

Many thanks for that fascinating information.
Those are just the sort of details I was hoping this Blog might help to unearth, expose & display, so that more folks, especially over here in Ireland, might learn to appreciate the history of the Hammered Dulcimer in Ireland a little more.

I must contact the present “Ulster King of Arms” & see if he or she might be willing to maintain ME!

Cheers, Dick

I came across a manuscript in the U.S. where the author wrote about his grandfather, born in 1836, who had a dulcimer that he said came over from Ireland in the 18th century with his immigrant ancestor. The name was Conley. True or not, who knows, but it’s possible. Then there’s a very old one in the New Brunswick Museum brought over in the early 19th century by an immigrant from Derry.