The art of Dulcimer making in America is at least 200 years old. I say that because I believe the Dulcimer, as we know it, came to us from various parts of old Europe. The immigrants from England, France, Germany, Norway, etc., brought their old instruments with them, and, as they broke them, they learned to repair them and subsequently learned to rebuild them.
Billy Jarrell is a retired Technical Illustrator, who, while studying Heraldry and North Carolina History in college, became interested in building ancient flintlock rifles and shooting them in competition. During one of the North Carolina State Competitions, he was introduced to, and fell in love with, the Dulcimer. After studying the instrument for a month or two, a fellow competitor enticed him to build one. He made his first Dulcimer in 1971. In 1977 he constructed the second one and a third one in 1987. He then constructed one for "a friend" in 1997. He then had to make one for her sister and then one for another sister and so on and so on and later in that same year, decided to open a Dulcimer Shop. The rest is history......The total number of Dulcimers constructed by him, to date, stands at over 140. Another specialty is Banjo repair
Mr. Jarrell is a Genealogist, a Heraldic Scholar and a member of the Guild of American Luthiers. He is co-founder of the Ridgeway Dulcimer Society.
The Renaissance Guitar
The Clawhammer Banjo
The Tommy Jarrell Fiddle
The James Rose Dulcimer
The history of the lap dulcimer goes back to ancient times long before Christ. The lap Dulcimer has been built in our mountains for a very long time. At the turn of the century, All of the old craftsmen still building Dulcimers were located in our mountain regions. The Dulcimers they were building became known as Mountain Dulcimers, a name that has lasted to this day. the Dulcimer was by no means invented in our mountains. But the love for this old and sweet little music maker saw its rebirth there. There are a number of fine Dulcimer craftsmen still living and working in our southern mountains; however, the art is not confined to that area. There are some of the finest Dulcimer craftsmen in the world located in Arkansas, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, South Carolina and North Carolina,..............................
....................especially in.................... Ridgeway, North Carolina
When you place your order for a Ridgeway Dulcimer, you decide what shape and what woods you prefer. A sketch is made and, upon approval by you, a price is quoted and a 50% deposit is paid. The work then begins with three or four more consultations before delivery. If special artwork is required you must approve of it before it is applied to your dulcimer. When everything is done to your complete satisfaction, you pay the remaining 50% and the Dulcimer is delivered. It's that simple..........
-It's also this simple ----(252)456-3890---Orders or Questions
Last revised 10/16/2002
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