My Great Uncle's Zither

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LenaEnzian
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:15 pm
Location: Tavistock, Ontario, Canada

My Great Uncle's Zither

Post by LenaEnzian »

Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if anyone familiar with the zither makers, has come across info on the maker of my Great Uncle's zither. It's been very tough finding any info about this style of zither and it's maker...
I recently inherited the zither and in addition to learning how to play, I've been trying to research it's background. I never knew my Great Uncle, as I was very young when he passed. His zither subsequently bounced around my family, until I finally tracked it down and rescued it from basement storage.

Sadly, I don't know much of the zither's history, other than it being purchased in the 1930's. My Great Uncle was a very accomplished player, and traveled to German clubs throughout Ontario to play.

Other than that, it's a bit of a mystery!

*On a side note, I've restrung the instrument... the originals hadn't seen the light of day since the 80's and were completely toast! :lol:
Attachments
Maker's Mark: Hans Fürst - Geigen und Instrumenten Macher in Mittenwald
Maker's Mark: Hans Fürst - Geigen und Instrumenten Macher in Mittenwald
zither2.jpg (455.02 KiB) Viewed 4455 times
zither.jpg
zither.jpg (194.36 KiB) Viewed 4455 times
Rudy Mueller
Posts: 603
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Grafton WI 53024 RMUELLERMKE@GMAIL.COM

Re: My Great Uncle's Zither

Post by Rudy Mueller »

What a beauty; you are fortunate.

You might want to try contacting the Bairisch-Alpenländischer Volksmusikverein e.V. Contact information is on their website at www.volksmusikverein.com . Their publication Music & Tradition is great.

If just starting the learning process, take a look at the Kabatek instruction book, downloadable from this site.

Rudi
kenbloom
Posts: 212
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2014 11:50 am
Location: Pilot Mountain, NC
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Re: My Great Uncle's Zither

Post by kenbloom »

You don't often see these Mittenwald style zithers around. This style is characterized by the bridge sitting on the top. I have seen quite a few Schwarzers like this, some with a tailpiece and then having the bridge sitting in the middle of the top like on yours. Do carefully examine the glue joint between the top and the bridge and make sure it's very secure. I would use the lower tension strings on it just make sure everything stays the way it should. Beautiful instrument and you're lucky to have it.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.org
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