Ailanthus Dulcimer

Barring the cigar box and rubber band guitar I made as a child, this is the first instrument I ever made. Over 10 years ago I took a course called "Appalachian Crafts" while in school at Berea College in Berea, KY. The professor was Gary Mahoney. One of the requirements for the course was to complete some kind of a project. I was very intrigued at the option of making an Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer. I made two at that time.

The wood came from a tree on campus. There are a few other things floating around out there made from this wood, but as far as I know, there are only TWO dulcimers.

The wood has a beautiful fleck pattern when viewed up close.

This scroll was my first ever attempt at wood carving. It was a real challenge and I read a couple articles on carving the violin scroll before I just lunged in to see what I could do.

I was truly blessed to have gotten ahold of such beautiful wood.