AW Jeffreys Dulcimer

A.W. Jeffreys was one of the most notable dulcimer makers of the Revival period. He made an estimated 3000 dulcimers between 1960 and 1990. 32” length, 27” between nut and bridge (VSL)
Humidified, smoke and pet free environment.

This one is numbered 1250, estimated to have been built in the early to mid-1970’s. It appears to be Butternut wood, one of his favorite woods, with Walnut. There are a variety of small dings and dents, as well as a scratch on the front top bout, age related wear, but a sweet tone. He initialed the label and a handwritten “Jr.” after his name. A part of dulcimer history!

A.W. (Alois Waldo) Jeffreys, Jr. was born in 1923 in South Hill, Virginia to a tobacco farmer/auctioneer.  He was a Naval pilot during WWII, and in 1946 he was in the naval pilot's group, the Flight Exhibition Team, which was the fore-runner to today's Blue Angels.

Jeffreys became interested in dulcimers after observing local musicians playing them in the mountains of Staunton, Virginia, where he lived. He made his first dulcimer in 1956.  About 1960, he started the Appalachian Dulcimer Company in Staunton, as a family business. His wife ran the business side, and their two children helped A.W. with various aspects of the business and building dulcimers.  Jeffreys built both 3 string and 4 string instruments in Walnut, Cherry or Butternut, with either heart or diamond shaped sound holes.    

In the mid-1970s A.W. and his wife took over all the work when their children left home. The business wound down sometime in the late 1980's, and Jeffreys donated much of his dulcimer collection to the Smithsonian Institute.  Sadly,  A.W. Jeffreys died January 29, 1992.