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The Bowed Dulcimer Pardessus is built by Ken Bloom.  Per Ken "I  use violin strings so I use a violin bow. They can be built as four string or three, with or without sympathetic strings, strung in dulcimer order or violin order. This particular one is for a woman that already is a cellist and couldn't deal with the positioning of the violin. She wanted to be able to play old time with her husband.    It has a wonderful rich sweet tone with the same characteristic reediness of the other members of the bowed dulcimer family. It seems to be especially attractive to people who are very short, for whom a standard bowed dulcimer is just too big to deal with.
   I can also build a variation on this pattern which would be only two inches  longer but would play at the same pitch and range as a standard bowed dulcimer.
   I should have sound clips for you very soon."

Good Morning Ken!  I rec'd the Pardessus last evening!  WOW!  It is just too cool for words.  I tuned it up and started playing immediately.  I was somewhat skeptical at first, but after a few minutes I was bringing forth pure tones!  I have had to make no adjustments for playing in my lap, nor the fingering......and the bowing was the most different mainly because my bow wants to slip down lower....probably because of my cello playing.    I am using a Coda violin bow...but I get the best sounds using the middle and tip of the bow....not the frog area.  Ken...I have already played 30 tunes this morning...and it just keeps getting better.....my husband is amazed. 

The instrument is just beautiful and I plan to show it off to everyone!  I love the color, the perfing, the scroll-head carving....it will become something that I cherish as time goes by.  Also...the case is terrific....so original!  It looks like a little casket....where I can put my Pardessus to rest after playing for hours....and you carved my initials on it too!!! Thank you Ken!  I know what I want for Christmas this year......one of your cellos!!  Thank you ...thank you!  I feel honored to have met you and to be a proud owner of one of your musical dulcimers!  I will stay in touch!  Have a great weekend at Cullowhee.....I wish I could be there to take your class.
  Trisha
(Posted with permission - Thanks for sharing, Trisha)