The “possum board” is sometimes an enhancement to the volume of a possum fiddle.
Why is it called a possum board?
Another thought on the possum board, Mother possums carry their young on their back as the board carries the dulcimer
Like Dan said the name comes from a board used to stretch animal skins for sale. Different sizes for muskrats, mink, racoon, possum, beaver, rabbits. Dad used them in the winter when trapping muskrats and mink to supplement farm income.
It's a Possum Board for your dulcimer only if it is a separate piece upon which the dulcimer sits upon.
The "false bottom" or Galax bottom" is what we call the bottom attached to the instrument.
"Possum board" is one of the names for a tapered thin board used in the stretching and drying of animal hides in some regions of Appalachia. Hides were skinned out complete for more money than the belly cut hides nailed to the side of an out building. There are those from outside Appalachia who believe we call them Possum Boards to be cute....
