A great reference point, every fifth string, starting with #3 f in the accompaniment, through the bases, thus breaking up the open strings into groups of four, each group starting with a red. This falls apart if one used "Viennese" or chromatic tuning starting with the F contra. Some maint...

In the section on repairs and restoration, zither repair, page 3, describes speculation of the same thing, even going "au natural". Your suggestions sound good, but I'll leave the finishing of the bottom to a later time. Top is nearing completion, which will be a semi-gloss finish. Next wi...

There will be a Zither Sunday on May 31, 2015, at the home of Kurt Eckroth in Wales, Wisconsin, beginning with a picnic style luncheon at 12:00 noon. Tale of Two Zithers: There will be a comparison of two zithers recently produced by Sasha Radecic of St. Louis, Missouri, one spruce backed (Jeff Pale...

It is rumored that there will be a a few Ziag/Hackrett/Blockflötte/Zither numbers at the B.G.T.V. Wendlstoana Fest at Old Heidelberg Park in Glendale, WI, on June 13, 2015.

Rudi

The Seith is starting to look pretty good. The Förg, the primary, looks like it it could use a little TLC.

Any comments on care of an acoustic instrument approaching its 100th birthday??

Rudi

Comments and questions: Acoustically, is there a difference between having the top of the zither finished (a) high gloss (b) semi-gloss, or (c) matte?? Acoustically, is there an advantage to finishing the bottom, the sounding board at all? i.e., does the bottom surface, spruce or cedar, or whatever,...

Hello again, The pegs on the F Seith are 40 mm long. The tops of the pins on the Förg zither here, strung and tuned, are 23-25 mm above the surface of the instrument. Quite a difference from the Sieth! Now I do not know what to say. A range of 14 mm (Seith) to 25 mm (Förg) is remarkable. Take care a...

The F Seith is also starting to take shape. Strings have been ordered. Before starting, the pegs, when the instrument was strung and tuned as well as could be, were 11-12 mm high. The windings seemed to have been done professionally, no overlaps, all in a nice smooth row. Does (can, please) anyone e...

Thanks Tom,

...and I walk right past a NAPA store every day.

Rudi

Commercial purfling seems to be of 2 x 6 mm in size. What was needed was 1.5 x 2 mm, which was fabricated from scrap white vinyl. Repairing purfling is not unlike repairing doll house furniture. When working on these fine surfaces, even 400 grit sandpaper tended to be a little too aggressive. When u...