Birmingham Tradition - The Instruments

My dulcimers all are tuned to the so called "Birmingham Tradition". Most of the other instruments I've come across, to date, have all been tuned the same way, and are remarkably similar in their style of construction, even though they have been made by different people. The bass section is tuned an octave lower to the treble section. A similar tuning is also used in Scotland, the only difference being the position of the octave lower note, i.e. across the dulcimer it is above the treble note in the Birmingham tradition, and below the treble note in Scotland.

"Inside view of my grandad's dulce"

In this view I wanted to capture the construction, positioning, and dimensions of the tuning peg block. The thickness of which, amazingly, is only 1?" (28mm). This resulted in the sound box extending under both blocks. I'm sure this was a significant factor as to the volume this one and the other old dulcimers produced. Also noticeable is the way in which the peg blocks are seated in a slot let into the top and bottom outer rails.

"Top and bottom rails"

This picture shows the top and bottom rails, the two strengthening inner bars, with the small square filler blocks attached & the positioning of the 6 support posts. The space for the sound board from top to bottom was 8¾" (222mm). This rather small dimension housed  12 treble courses, (4 strings per course), and 12 bass courses (3 strings per course). The rather small playing area made them more suitable for plucking, but small hammers were made and very often used.

"Albert Walker"

These instruments were two of four made by Albert Walker, who I don't have a great deal of info on, other than the fact that he worked for Latch and Batchelors. They were made for his four sons. I've located two of the instruments and I'm hoping to get more info from the family as to the whereabouts of the remaining two.

"Charlie Shenstone"

This dulcimer only came to light by pure chance when my first CD was advertised in the 'YOURS' Magazine.  Ann Shenstone saw it and wrote to London to find out who the dulcimer player was, not knowing of course that I only lived a couple of miles away. I called on her and she was chuffed. The dulcimer was under the bed and had been there for ten years, since Charlie died. I played it and it was still in tune with it’s self, all a bit flat of course. When I looked up she was sitting there crying, she said it bought back a load of memories. I eventually took the dulce home and replaced the few missing strings, tuned it and recorded a few songs on to tape for her, only to be informed that she had not got a tape player. The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club now owns the dulce. I believe that with the money the club paid her for it she purchased a tape player. The dulce is now in the Nonsuch Collection.