Search found 40 matches

by DanSymonds
Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:06 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Restored Schwarzer Form A, model 27
Replies: 2
Views: 1312

Re: Restored Schwarzer Form A, model 27

Adding a couple more pictures, to make the restoration description perhaps a little clearer.
by DanSymonds
Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:10 pm
Forum: Zither Makers and Models
Topic: Restored Schwarzer Form A, model 27
Replies: 2
Views: 1312

Restored Schwarzer Form A, model 27

I recently acquired a probable model 27 Schwarzer zither that highlights the very fine craftsmanship that came from the Schwarzer workshops. Unfortunately it required quite a bit of restoration. The instrument is serial numbeer 4049, indicating it was built in the mid 1890's. It is 21 3/4" by 1...
by DanSymonds
Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:27 pm
Forum: Other Zithers
Topic: Hackbrett instructional materials?
Replies: 7
Views: 6178

Re: Hackbrett instructional materials?

Rudi, You might try August Seith in Munich (seith-musikverlag@web.de). He has an incredible, vast catalog. His material is available through Thomi-Berg (thomi-berg@t-online.de) Mr. Berg is extremely helpful; you might try him as well. Best of luck. Dan
by DanSymonds
Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:22 pm
Forum: Other Zithers
Topic: Other types of zithers
Replies: 2
Views: 4432

Other types of zithers

I am wondering whether anyone might be able to point me towards a source to learn about other types of zithers. I am interested in learning the scale (string) length (nut to bridge) and the tuning and pitch for the bass zither and the quint zither. Is the alte zither another name for the concert zit...
by DanSymonds
Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:33 pm
Forum: Other Zithers
Topic: A Streich (Bowed) Zither
Replies: 0
Views: 8695

A Streich (Bowed) Zither

Here's an unusual one that I acquired recently, a bowed or streich zither. It has four strings tuned in fifths e'a'DG like a violin and played with a bow. In fact many of these were made in the form of violins or from violins; Schwarzer advertised a large stock of violins which he would make into a ...
by DanSymonds
Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:05 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Short frets
Replies: 4
Views: 1681

Re: Short frets

Enslein, I found an interesting illustration of your explanation in a picture of a proto-zither showing just this type of fret board:
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the ... her&pos=30
Thanks again. Dan
by DanSymonds
Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:30 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Short frets
Replies: 4
Views: 1681

Re: Short frets

Thank you very much enslein and Dave. Very interesting and thought provoking. The picture you show looks very much like our Appalachian dulcimer which is based on a modal scale. I also think there too many frets; I can not get any tone from the higher positions, but perhaps there is a special techni...
by DanSymonds
Sun Mar 15, 2015 3:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Short frets
Replies: 4
Views: 1681

Short frets

Can anyone explain to me why older zithers have some short frets that don't cross the fretboard in the high positions? Thanks. Dan
by DanSymonds
Sat Mar 14, 2015 5:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Improvised rectangular zither peg tuner
Replies: 2
Views: 761

Re: Improvised rectangular zither peg tuner

Thanks Rudi. I do think the longer handle gives you much more control over the arc, more "fine tuning' if you will. But it can be very hard to find the rectangular broached tuner and this can be a real help. GEWA used to sell them 25 years ago; I don't know if they still do.
by DanSymonds
Fri Mar 13, 2015 5:38 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Improvised rectangular zither peg tuner
Replies: 2
Views: 761

Improvised rectangular zither peg tuner

To those of us with older zithers, one problem we run into is finding a tuner to fit the older rectangular pegs. Not only are tuners with a rectangular broach hard to come by, they are not uniform varying from about .055 to .068 inches on the flat. I found a work-around for this by installing a set ...