Bowed Dulcimer

A louthier colleague and friend, Ken Bloom, invented the bowed dulcimer in 2000. Since then an international community has grown around the instrument, which combines the Appalachian lap dulcimer with the viola da gamba. This is Ken’s variation on Bloom’s design, featuring four sympathetic strings, a carved peg head, and an extended foot.

A peghead-in-progress in the shape of Juniper the puppy.
Gluing in the lining.
Juniper the puppy examines her lookalike peg head with interest.

The carved puppy peg head.

A view from inside the completed bow dulcimer showing the bass bar and sound post.