Alick and Tommy Sparks’ dulcimer
This is not an East Anglian style instrument – the reason being that Alick Sparks had bought it when in Lancashire. However he had seen them played locally and ninety years later, his son Tommy still had East Anglian style cane beaters to play it with in his old age.
It has four strings per course over 21 individual bridges, which are of a slightly different style to the East Anglian ones. The instrument is very plain with two soundholes and a stand made from a recycled tool handle of some sort. There is a piece of tarpaulin attached , suggesting that it may have been used for busking or playing outside in its former life in Lancashire.
The dulcimer is still owned by Thomas’ grand-daughters and was recently played at an extended family gathering by local dulcimer player George Monger.
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