CARL BAKER STRUMS ONE OF OVER 100 DULCIMERS HE HAS MADE THE CARL BAKER STORY ON DULCIMERS THAT APPEARED IN 1993 SENIOR SAMPLER Reprint of Article Below

THE DULCIMER CARL BAKER MADE ME IN 1993. Out of my own Black Cherry and White Birch lumber. Is not that One Beautiful Dulcimer?

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THE MAN WHO MADE DULCIMERS THE FOLLOWING STORY APPEARED IN THE 1993 APRIL ISSUE OF THE SENIOR SAMPLER.
Story by Bill Weber

"It is one of the oldest stringed instruments known to mankind," says sixty eight year old Carl Baker, plucking out a lovely melody on one of over a hundred such instruments he has made. "In fact, in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the third chapter of the book of Daniel! there are three references to "the Dulcimer." said Mr. Baker as he lay the beautiful hand crafted instrument he had just finished playing on the table.

"I am not a musician," said Carl, "My real love is working with wood, WOOD TO ME IS LIKE JEWELRY, especially wood right off my own farm."

Carl was born to Del and Hannah Baker on June 20, 1924, in what then was known as Purdy Valley, but is now a part of Fort McCoy. From 1942 to 1946 he was in the Marine Corp. He came back to the Tomah area in 1946, and mar- ried Audry Barta; they have six children (4 boys and 2 girls). Carl worked as a mechanic for | many years in Tomah for Hess, Lund's, Larkin's and Ray Berg's.

In 1949, they bought a farm north of Tomah. Carl continued working as a mechanic in the Tomah area. as well as running the farm. In 1959, they bought the 310-acre farm, where he now resides, in the Township of Wellington. Even then, Carl con- tinued to work part-time as a mechanic at the places men- tioned earlier.

Carl and Audry separated in 1982, She moved to Tomah and he remained on the farm. "l have sort of filled in the void by be- coming a member of Singles Agricultural Club, I have met some very charming and interesting ladies through this organization," said Carl.

Most of the Dulcimer's I make are considered Appalachian Mountain or plucked Dulcimers. ..They look somewhat like a long thin guitar or violin, except you pluck and strum a bit differently. It's kind of hard to explain to anyone. They are a very easy instrument to learn to play," said Carl. "A person must either play or see one played before they can really understand or appreciate them. Carl tells of the time when a lady stopped by and bought one of the Dulcimers and took it home. A few weeks later she was back wanting another one.

But I thought you just recently bought one?" Carl said to her, "Oh yes, I did," she replied, "but my husband is always playing it and I hardly get a chance anymore."

"So, how did I begin making Dulcimers?" I have always liked working with wood and one day I was going through a craft book and I saw some sketches on how to make a Dulcimer. So I tried it, and when I was finished it looked and sounded so nice, I decided to make up a few more. The next thing I knew, people were telling people and I could not keep up with the demand." Carl makes up all his Dulci- mers and other musical in- struments, such as the Irish lap harp and the Celtic harp from wood grown on his farm. "I use a lot of cherry, black walnut, and buttemutin mak- ingmy instruments. The wood has such lovely grain and seems to bring out the full tonal qualities of the music," said Carl. "I also do a lot of bookmatching (re-sawing of a board and putting two pieces together, forming identical patterns on each side of the instrument).

He has made quite a few Dulcimers for his thirteen grandchildren, in which, the sound ports are made in the shape of their initials. "In fact, one of my grandsons told me just today, that I would be a great-grandfather. It looks like making Dulcimers is going to be a long-term project," said Carl. Carl no longer farms, having placed his full 310 acres in the CRP program.

"But, I have so many irons in the fire, that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done that I would like to do. At present, he drives school bus for the Wilton School Bus Company. He has also taken up the hobby of fixing up antique Case tractors; those before 1950.

"Tell your readers that I buy full or parts of such tractors," he said. (See Classified ad section)

Carl also makes Hammer Dulcimers, and Irish & Celtic Lap harps. So, if any of you are interested in knowing more about Dulcimers Or Harps, or buying any of these lovely, hand-crafted musical instruments, give Carl a call at 608-435-6465. y

Carl Baker, died this past year. But I put this up in rememberance of the nice work he did on DULCIMERS. Thanks Carl For Msking Me One. ****************************************************************************************