Can guitar strings be used for the zither fretboard
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 12:36 pm
Hello All
I have here a newbie question who has as bought an old zither with metal strings on the fretboard.
My plan is to wait until my playing has improved enough that it makes it worth spending 230 euros for replacing all the strings.
So far I am playing C scale up and down trying to get the zither (me) sounding right and sometimes I also play some simple melodies.
The only thing bothering me are the metal strings which are very tough on my fingers.
I would like to know if someone has tried to use nylon guitar strings .
Is it possible ?
If yes how can it be done ?
I know the strings notes are not the same but it seems to me that the following could work.
I did some calculations and here is what I would like to try:
C3 zither replaced by E2 guitar (length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and increasing by 1 half tone tension to get a C3)
G3 zither replaced by A2 guitar (length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 3 half tone tension to get a G3)
D4 zither replaced by G3 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and same tension as on guitar to get a D4)
A4 zither replaced by E4 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 2 half tone tension to get an A4)
A4 zither replaced by E4 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 2 half tone tension to get an A4)
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Rgds
Jose - South West of France
I have here a newbie question who has as bought an old zither with metal strings on the fretboard.
My plan is to wait until my playing has improved enough that it makes it worth spending 230 euros for replacing all the strings.
So far I am playing C scale up and down trying to get the zither (me) sounding right and sometimes I also play some simple melodies.
The only thing bothering me are the metal strings which are very tough on my fingers.
I would like to know if someone has tried to use nylon guitar strings .
Is it possible ?
If yes how can it be done ?
I know the strings notes are not the same but it seems to me that the following could work.
I did some calculations and here is what I would like to try:
C3 zither replaced by E2 guitar (length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and increasing by 1 half tone tension to get a C3)
G3 zither replaced by A2 guitar (length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 3 half tone tension to get a G3)
D4 zither replaced by G3 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and same tension as on guitar to get a D4)
A4 zither replaced by E4 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 2 half tone tension to get an A4)
A4 zither replaced by E4 guitar(length reduced from 65cm to 43.65cm and decreasing by 2 half tone tension to get an A4)
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Rgds
Jose - South West of France