IN short, it’s very musical when played against drone strings with a noter, but doesn’t sound right if you try to hold down chords across all strings. So, the distance to the 1st fret is noticeably short, similarly the 4th and 5th – all designed to soften the chords when you play these notes against the open middle and bass strings. Older Kentucky-style scale, NOT equal temperament, and thus clearly intended for playing with a noter. Attractive hand-carved scroll and pegbox. Bookmatched, figured cherry both on top and back. Light dulcimer made entirely from cherry, apart from walnut (?) rustic hand cut pegs. Intonation best in DAA but works surprisingly well in DAD despite its ‘Kentucky’ scale.ģ.88 1986 Warren May #3240 4 string, 3 course cherry hourglass £ Sold
Ideal for fingerstyle playing or noter-drone work. Plays very easily on its shortish scale, light but clear with some warmth and softness. Light finger wear on lower fretboard, heavier pick damage to upper fretboard. Some light patterning in the finish of the back, where the instrument has been stored on a non-slip mat. High quality woodworking, as you’d expect from May, but the hard gloss finish shows some cracks around the knot holes where the wood has continued to move. The original hardwood nut and (floating) bridge have been retained. Hollow wooden fingerboard has had the 6+ fret added and guitar strap buttons have been fixed on each end of the body. The original hand-carved wooden pegs have been replaced by decent quality, enclosed chrome guitar tuners.
Otherwise, a traditional, shallow Kentucky-style dulcimer. ‘Natural’ soundholes created from knots in the timber (LB) and carved hummingbird (UB). May/ 11/87/ Berea Ky/ 40403/ #4056”.Įarly, all-solid walnut hourdrop – an asymmetrical half-hourglass, half-teardrop design which Warren might have tried to copyright (hence the symbol?). Handwritten, oblong pasted-in card: “© / Warren A.