Search found 40 matches

by DanSymonds
Sun Jan 30, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Zithers and Resources
Topic: Gut Strings for sale or barter
Replies: 0
Views: 46276

Gut Strings for sale or barter

I have a number of Lenzer gut (Daum) strings which I cannot use. Looking for someone out there in zither-land who might be able to use them. These include: es1, f3, d6 and cis11. They are are of course new. These are quite expensive (about 12 -13 Euros), so I thought maybe $5 plus postage might be f...
by DanSymonds
Wed Apr 14, 2021 3:59 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Jobst workshops
Replies: 5
Views: 8462

Re: Jobst workshops

Andreas, Thank you so much for your kind offer of the dissertation material on Jobst. Unfortunately, I do not have a reading knowledge of German. However, perhaps you could prepare an article on him and his work for Zither US. This would be most valuable. Of course, you are most welcome to include t...
by DanSymonds
Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:06 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Jobst workshops
Replies: 5
Views: 8462

Re: Jobst workshops

Dear friend. Thank you so much for this valuable information! I have been able to find very little about Johann Jobst, so this is very helpful. THe earlier small instrument has a very loud and resonant griff. When I obtained it from Minnesota, it was covered with pigeon dung, so it has had a hard li...
by DanSymonds
Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:17 pm
Forum: Repairs and Restorations
Topic: warped front board....
Replies: 6
Views: 16296

Re: warped front board....

Hi Graham. Sorry I didn't pick this up earlier. I have experience repairing many old zithers. As a practical matter I would avoid an instrument with a pronounced bow. In some cases this is due to separation rom the struts or support cross-pieces. In these cases, the bow is usually outwards and can b...
by DanSymonds
Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:48 am
Forum: Builders
Topic: Zithers by John Roeder
Replies: 6
Views: 10694

Re: Zithers by John Roeder

Very beautiful work. As one who has constructed many guitars (but no zithers, although I have restored many), I can appreciate the work and planning that goes into these instruments. One thing I like is the solid construction of the top without a veneer overlay. Many of the Schwarzer zithers had a s...
by DanSymonds
Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:14 pm
Forum: History
Topic: One of the last letters from Schwarzer Zither factory
Replies: 3
Views: 7626

Re: One of the last letters from Schwarzer Zither factory

An interesting aside, $36 worth of strings in 1951 would be $361 in 2019. Not everything was cheaper "back in the day". Schwarzer (or Albert as the case may be) did make beautiful strings. I have been able to obtain some of their vintage strings (unused) and they have a wonderful bright to...
by DanSymonds
Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:04 pm
Forum: History
Topic: One of the last letters from Schwarzer Zither factory
Replies: 3
Views: 7626

One of the last letters from Schwarzer Zither factory

I posted this before but the link to the Fretboard Journal doesn't open this anymore. I find it fascinating.
by DanSymonds
Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:55 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Washburn American Zither--"A Praire Style Zither"
Replies: 0
Views: 48912

Washburn American Zither--"A Praire Style Zither"

I thought perhaps my fellow zitherists might be interested in an unusual American zither that I recently restored. This is proudly enttiled "The Washburn American Zither" in the label. I don't have a great deal of information but I know it was made by Lyon & Healy in Chicago sometime b...
by DanSymonds
Sat Sep 22, 2018 1:10 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Looking for Help in Finding a Zither
Replies: 8
Views: 9419

Re: Looking for Help in Finding a Zither

You might try Elderly Music (Elderly.com). They are in the heart of zither country and some nice instruments(not many zithers, though) pass through their hands. THey can put you on their email watch list. They are nice people.
by DanSymonds
Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:42 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Tip for installing strings
Replies: 2
Views: 5299

Tip for installing strings

When installing strings, an annoying problem is having the sting end slip off the end pin when bringing up to pitch. The string can lodge in the end bridge and be difficult to remove and sometimes causes damage. I have found a way around this: after putting the string loop on the pin, I apply a 5&qu...