Search found 40 matches

by DanSymonds
Fri Jan 15, 2016 10:04 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Repetitive motion or extended motion
Replies: 7
Views: 2497

Re: Repetitive motion or extended motion

Excellent advice Ken. I do think it is important to take a break when experiencing discomfort and not push yourself the way atheletes sometimes do.
by DanSymonds
Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:07 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Repetitive motion or extended motion
Replies: 7
Views: 2497

Re: Repetitive motion or extended motion

Repetitive stress disorder (RSI) is the bane of professional (and non-professional) musicians and has wrecked many careers. THe cause is poorly understood but initially seems to involve edema of the tendon, swelling and in extreme cases, eventual nerve damage. I think there also may be a central ner...
by DanSymonds
Sun Jan 10, 2016 4:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pyramid zither strings
Replies: 2
Views: 1512

Re: Pyramid zither strings

Thanks Ken. I am trying to match an older Pyramid blue label G griff which is terrific; very flexible and resonant. Just not sure whether the new blue label Pyramid C' griff is the same.
by DanSymonds
Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:31 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pyramid zither strings
Replies: 2
Views: 1512

Pyramid zither strings

Can anyone tell me the difference between the blue and the red label Pyramid strings? Is the blue a nylon string over a metal core, or is it metal with nylon coating. I have used nylon strings in the past but I did not like them as they didn't seem to have much resonance; too low tension, I think. O...
by DanSymonds
Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:17 am
Forum: Repairs and Restorations
Topic: restoring a concert zither
Replies: 7
Views: 2199

Re: restoring a concert zither

Ken and Rudy are spot on. Be very careful about sanding the top. I would use no more than 600 grit wet or dry with a bit of mineral spirits, unless you plan to refinish the top. I don't have experience with Scotchbrite but I would recommend using whatever very gently at first. Very easy to overdo. D...
by DanSymonds
Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:27 am
Forum: Repairs and Restorations
Topic: restoring a concert zither
Replies: 7
Views: 2199

Re: restoring a concert zither

Hi Phill, Welcome! Your question seems to be veneer in the peg holes. It is very common with old zithers for the wood to shrink around the peg hole and not to hold the string tension well. There are a variety of ways to address this, from a simple shim insert of paper or wood shaving to gluing inser...
by DanSymonds
Wed Aug 12, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: Builders
Topic: Case for a Schwarzer zither
Replies: 3
Views: 4552

Re: Case for a Schwarzer zither

Thanks Ken. I see from your posts and listening to your Youtubes you are a SERIOUS musician with real talent and your instrument gets a heavy workout. As such, you need a simple, sturdy case, which is what I usually make up for my other instruments. This was a little more of a showpiece, what you mi...
by DanSymonds
Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:20 pm
Forum: Other Zithers
Topic: Hackbrett instructional materials?
Replies: 7
Views: 6105

Re: Hackbrett instructional materials?

Very interesting, Rudi. It seems the difference between the two is the tuning. I understood hammered dulcimer is tuned in circle of fifths; but it seems hackbrett is chromatic. Rather paradoxical since the circle of fifth tuning seems a German thing! Thanks for the info and I am glad you found a sou...
by DanSymonds
Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:43 pm
Forum: Builders
Topic: Case for a Schwarzer zither
Replies: 3
Views: 4552

Case for a Schwarzer zither

I recently resotred a model 27 (I think) concert zither with very elaborate decorative work. Unfortunately, the case was missing and I felt it deserved an appropriate case. The pictures attached show the walnut case with burl top and plush interior. The top has a removable rail so that it doubles as...
by DanSymonds
Thu Aug 06, 2015 10:25 am
Forum: Other Zithers
Topic: Hackbrett instructional materials?
Replies: 7
Views: 6105

Re: Hackbrett instructional materials?

Rudi, I got to thinking: is the Hackbrett any different really than the hammered dulcimer? Mel Bay (melbay.com) has a lot of publications for the hammered dulcimer including instructional. Obviously, the specific German tunes would be different and would need to come from Germany.