A banjo dulcimer is an Appalachian dulcimer modified by adding a vibrating membrane to the body of the instrument. This changes the tone and volume of the instrument, operating on the same principle as the banjo.
Homer Ledford, a luthier during the early part of the revival of the dulcimer, built several banjo dulcimers, which he called the dulcijo (a portmanteau of dulcimer and banjo).Alvey, R. Gerald. Dulcimer Maker: the craft of Homer Ledford. University Press of Kentucky, 2003.
Makers of banjo dulcimers Doug Thomson (banjomer.com) has been producing banjo dulcimers since 1980 - called "Banjo-Mer" McSpadden Dulcimers began producing banjo dulcimers in the early 2000s. Mike Clemmer produces a banjo dulcimer called "ban-jammer" Dennis DenHartog (folknotes.com) has been building a solid frame banjo dulcimer called the "Banj-Mo" since spring, 2001.
See also Banjo mandolin Banjo ukulele Banjo guitar
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