Dulcimer, lap harp, is there a difference?

[Blacksheep]

A buddy recently purchased a small property, he called and asked for a bit of help and knowing I love dumpster diving/poking
around inside abandoned buildings told me about the locked shed he hadn't opened yet in his attempt to get me out in the cold,
wet slop...it worked.

One quick snip with the bolt cutters and we were in, found the usual mattresses, old cloths, general household crap but also found
a pair of S&W M-100 handcuffs in the original leather belt case (with key, sorry no pic) tucked inside a newer medical bag stuffed
with glucose monitors/stethoscopes and the like. Also found four bags of food items and canned goods (tossed that as we didn't
want to see anybody get sick eating it)

I will try to get the camera out as we progress through the shed but in the meantime, I grabbed this strange little instrument. It does
have damage I believe from being set in the shed where heat/humidity/cold cycles took its toll. Appears "home made", having a hard
time determining just exactly what it is, hammer-dulcimer/lap harp or a cross between the two? Is there any real difference?

Bottom length: 34 3/4
Top length: 21
Side length: 15 3/4
Depth: 3 1/4

Unsure of the type of wood, it is heavy and at first glance it appears to be Maple.

Appreciate any thoughts, no markings/names anywhere on this.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[mojjax]

Nice Find ! Looks like a hammered dulcimer

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...YP9UqXc1g&sig2=Z7XgLeH5xOPVhBN8-4y4wQ&cad=rja

 

[Blacksheep]

Nice Find ! Looks like a hammered dulcimer

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...YP9UqXc1g&sig2=Z7XgLeH5xOPVhBN8-4y4wQ&cad=rja

Appreciate the link Mojjax, it is kind of neat but not sure what to do with it. Another dust collector to add to my growing list.

(and not near as cool as some of the stuff you post )

 

[roswellborn]

I dunno, it looks pretty cool to me... and a hammered dulcimer sounds awesome, too. Well, once it's tuned up - ha.

A music store that deals with bluegrass or folk music could tell you more about it, most likely. And they're usually pretty laid back (they don't laugh at ya) with folks that have questions.

Very cool!

 

[zztop357]

You might try the Dulcimer Shop in Hardy Arkansas. They make them and play them there. I believe there is another in Mountain View Arkansas. I believe they have a web page. Some are worth some money,I would have it checked.

 

[BuckleBoy]

About as much difference as there is between a violin and a fiddle.

This is a hammer dulcimer, which can be played on the lap, or on a stand. A "lap harp" can also mean an autoharp. The hammers for this look similar to piano hammers.

 

[NGE]

It IS a hammer dulcimer. If you would like to hear the music produced by this instrument, go to http://www.Dulcimerworld.com The website belongs to Charlene Helen Barry, a world renowned hammer dulcimer player. I know her personally. Her studio is in Plymouth Michigan. She comes down to the lake I fish at and jams with the "Newburgh Jammers" the music of whom I posted on youtube, I have 68 music vids there, Helen is in 2 or 3 of them. Just go to youtube and type Newburgh Jammers in the search box...........Enjoy..........NGE

 

[Blacksheep]

Appreciate all the info. NGE, my little guy has been strumming it like a guitar, appreciate the link where I could hear a bit
of your friends playing, much different than I thought it would be.

I'll look for the hammers next time we get out to the property. Thank you everyone.