Frazier Hourglass
Frazier is/was a small scale maker who started in the early 70s and was producing no more than 20 instruments per year at the height of the dulcimer boom. Neat, classic-style elongated, tapered maple headstock with effective square rosewood (?) tuning pegs. Wooden marker at 7th fret (now partly under new 6½ fret). Bookmatched walnut back with slight unevenness on LB. Wooden rosewood (?) nut and bridge (latter now replaced with compensated buffalo horn “floating” bridge for better intonation). Overall length 38½”, upper bout 5⅜”, lower bout 7¼”, depth 1¾”, FBW 1½”, VSL 28¼” (medium/long scale), weight 2lb 8oz (1134g). Originally no 6½ fret, now provided.
Mixed maple/walnut construction makes for a pretty, light sounding instrument, emphasizing the higher overtones but with clean mid and bass. Easy action, suitable for all abilities, which could take slightly heavier treble strings to improve the tonal balance further. Could also take geared modern tuners, but it looks so pretty as it is.
