Antique Zither Rosewood W/ Inlay & Engrave 32 String Concert Model Munich 1842
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:45436026 | Modified Item: No |
Rosewood Zither by G Tiefenbrunner, (Munchen) 1842 Standard Concert Zither 32 strings
This 19th century instrument is beautiful and can be restrung and played.It's also impressively well-crafted and attractive, as is, for any display.
It's difficult to know what to do with an old Zither.Luthier-skilled construction but there's all those strings. Is it just extra furniture?In the 1800's a zither was the piano you could afford to lug to the frontier.And bring Christ...mas joy to your sod hut.
It's simple, not easy, to begin to play and strings and tuning wrenches are available.Maybe think of it as a fancy lap dulcimer with attributes. Plucked melody strings with extra strummed, scale or pre-tuned chord strings.Imagine the buzz at your Zoom Open Mike.A splendid stringed requisite, saved, strummed and satisfying.
Stringed wooden instruments become more stable over time.After more than 175 years, this zither is, likely, stable.Looks great and is beautifully constructed.Climate change, aside, this zither may still be playable on it's 200th birthday.(Hey, for some fun read Ron Cook's Restoration of a Concert Zither 2010.)
A few small dings and very attractive, as one might expect for a sequicenturian.Please see pictures for details and condition.Holiday gift time is near.
I'll Double-Box this happy zither for safer shipping.Shipped by our great USPSPayPal only, thanks.
Happy bidding and thanks for reading this far.
Notes, for further interest:
Rosewood veneer overall Spruce body: top, sides and back.Inlay around soundboard and soundholeBinding and purfling around edges.Engraved tuning gear plate (silver?) Tiefenbruner (one "n", mispelled?) weird.Natural material tuning buttons.Yeah, natural material, probably, sadly.
Crack from R sound hole paper thin.Crack to L of sound hole paper thin.Ebony fretboard with some cracking, chipping.
5 tuning gears for 5 fretted melody strings.29 nickel or silver frets.27 scale and contra bass strings.15 original strings, some silk wrapped.
This is a 32 string standard concert zither with 5 fretted strings, 24 scale strings and 3 contra bass strings.This part is a bit tricky.
"Genuine" zither strings are not cheap and have brighter and softer versions.For playing see Youtube videos like Ilse Harris'.For Tuning see Zither US.I'm reading to figure out why inexpensive guitar strings can't be used. Guitar strings seem to follow the zither sizes and would simplify playing.
Completing the stringing to make this zither play, could be an enjoyable day and cost about 65 bucks in proper zither strings or 35 buck in guitar strings.Cleaning and tuner lubrication is another couple comfortable hours.Repairing the minor wood defects, which won't affect use, and includes veneer and shaping woodwork. Not difficult but requires some skill and time.
Engraved on silver or nickel tuning panel "Gg Tiefenbruner Munchen"Stamped on ebony fretboard " G Tiefenbruner Petersplatz Munchen"Inner maker's paper sticker "Georg Tiefenbrunner 1842"G Tiefenbrunner (1812-1880) made instruments from 1842 to 1880.Let's find out the proper spelling? One "n" or 2?
23.5" instrument length.9.5" instrument width.16.25" freboard length.2.25" fretboard width chipped on sides.
Solid and straight, tuneable, playable and can be as the zither gods intended with 17 strings added, which are available.Originally piano strings were used which can be improved upon these days.Autoharp, modern zither and guitar strings are available.Modern strings are easier to play and sound "warmer" cuz modern metals and stringmaking have improved.Working tuners need cleaning and lubrication for proper use32 string tuning, 15 original strings are intact.A 1" veneer piece missing near tuner.Labor is its own reward.
That's all.
This 19th century instrument is beautiful and can be restrung and played.It's also impressively well-crafted and attractive, as is, for any display.
It's difficult to know what to do with an old Zither.Luthier-skilled construction but there's all those strings. Is it just extra furniture?In the 1800's a zither was the piano you could afford to lug to the frontier.And bring Christ...mas joy to your sod hut.
It's simple, not easy, to begin to play and strings and tuning wrenches are available.Maybe think of it as a fancy lap dulcimer with attributes. Plucked melody strings with extra strummed, scale or pre-tuned chord strings.Imagine the buzz at your Zoom Open Mike.A splendid stringed requisite, saved, strummed and satisfying.
Stringed wooden instruments become more stable over time.After more than 175 years, this zither is, likely, stable.Looks great and is beautifully constructed.Climate change, aside, this zither may still be playable on it's 200th birthday.(Hey, for some fun read Ron Cook's Restoration of a Concert Zither 2010.)
A few small dings and very attractive, as one might expect for a sequicenturian.Please see pictures for details and condition.Holiday gift time is near.
I'll Double-Box this happy zither for safer shipping.Shipped by our great USPSPayPal only, thanks.
Happy bidding and thanks for reading this far.
Notes, for further interest:
Rosewood veneer overall Spruce body: top, sides and back.Inlay around soundboard and soundholeBinding and purfling around edges.Engraved tuning gear plate (silver?) Tiefenbruner (one "n", mispelled?) weird.Natural material tuning buttons.Yeah, natural material, probably, sadly.
Crack from R sound hole paper thin.Crack to L of sound hole paper thin.Ebony fretboard with some cracking, chipping.
5 tuning gears for 5 fretted melody strings.29 nickel or silver frets.27 scale and contra bass strings.15 original strings, some silk wrapped.
This is a 32 string standard concert zither with 5 fretted strings, 24 scale strings and 3 contra bass strings.This part is a bit tricky.
"Genuine" zither strings are not cheap and have brighter and softer versions.For playing see Youtube videos like Ilse Harris'.For Tuning see Zither US.I'm reading to figure out why inexpensive guitar strings can't be used. Guitar strings seem to follow the zither sizes and would simplify playing.
Completing the stringing to make this zither play, could be an enjoyable day and cost about 65 bucks in proper zither strings or 35 buck in guitar strings.Cleaning and tuner lubrication is another couple comfortable hours.Repairing the minor wood defects, which won't affect use, and includes veneer and shaping woodwork. Not difficult but requires some skill and time.
Engraved on silver or nickel tuning panel "Gg Tiefenbruner Munchen"Stamped on ebony fretboard " G Tiefenbruner Petersplatz Munchen"Inner maker's paper sticker "Georg Tiefenbrunner 1842"G Tiefenbrunner (1812-1880) made instruments from 1842 to 1880.Let's find out the proper spelling? One "n" or 2?
23.5" instrument length.9.5" instrument width.16.25" freboard length.2.25" fretboard width chipped on sides.
Solid and straight, tuneable, playable and can be as the zither gods intended with 17 strings added, which are available.Originally piano strings were used which can be improved upon these days.Autoharp, modern zither and guitar strings are available.Modern strings are easier to play and sound "warmer" cuz modern metals and stringmaking have improved.Working tuners need cleaning and lubrication for proper use32 string tuning, 15 original strings are intact.A 1" veneer piece missing near tuner.Labor is its own reward.
That's all.
