Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample...

Markkunkel · 04-03-2009, 08:13 PM

In a thread on the "builders and repair" list http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...238#post645238 I shared the wonderful restoration work of Tony Dixon, a UK luthier, who just finished turning this (note the numerous scuffs and dings and the top crack, one of several, on the top treble bout):

Markkunkel · 04-03-2009, 08:15 PM

into THIS (repaired, freshly French polished, and set up just perfectly with a brand-new bridge but all else original):

Markkunkel · 04-03-2009, 08:17 PM

and this:

Markkunkel · 04-03-2009, 08:21 PM

and sounding like this...

What a cool instrument, and what fun I'm having hearing its voice and thinking about all the other hands that have helped it sing in all kinds of places.

Waldzithers are VERY cool.

Thanks, John, for turning me on to them, and THANKS (!!!!), Tony, for your splendid work.

MK

clarksavage · 04-04-2009, 12:08 AM

Mark - that looks and sounds magnificent. What a find! I found your mp3 interesting and entertaining. Thank you.

Clark

Steve-o · 04-04-2009, 08:49 AM

Hi Mark,
Oh my, what a beautiful instument! The restoration is perfect. I love the binding/purfling and the rosette - very unique. I expect that's some nice Brazilian rosewood too. And what an interesting folk instrument the waldzither is - I had not followed your earlier thread and had only seen the old Andy Irvine vids on YouTube.

I enjoyed your sound clips and imagine you will have loads of fun figuring out new tunings and arrangements. Perhaps I should consider a waldzither. After all I am half German, half Irish...

If you don't mind, would you PM me with the cost, including restoration? Thanks for sharing.

Bertram Henze · 04-04-2009, 11:40 AM

No need to apologize for your playing - that snippet of the Kesh Jig proves you're well on your way. And with an instrument like that, a pleasant way, too, fit to take your listeners for a ride as well.

I suppose that, in a later stage, when you employ more double stops in the melody, that waldzither will conquer the world.

Bertram

tonydxn · 04-05-2009, 02:33 AM

Hi Folks

Thanks for all your kind words . . .

I just wanted to make clear that it's Indian, not Brazilian rosewood (but it's a very nice bit).

Good luck, Mark. I reckon you're doing more with this instrument than any of its previous owners did.

Tony Dixon

Markkunkel · 04-05-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertram Henze

No need to apologize for your playing - that snippet of the Kesh Jig proves you're well on your way. And with an instrument like that, a pleasant way, too, fit to take your listeners for a ride as well.

I suppose that, in a later stage, when you employ more double stops in the melody, that waldzither will conquer the world.

Bertram

Thanks, Bertram, for your kind and encouraging words. Double stops are the next addition...after all, I've given myself 80 years to learn to play this thing.

Mark

Markkunkel · 04-05-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonydxn

Hi Folks

Thanks for all your kind words . . .

I just wanted to make clear that it's Indian, not Brazilian rosewood (but it's a very nice bit).

Good luck, Mark. I reckon you're doing more with this instrument than any of its previous owners did.

Tony Dixon

and wonderful to see you around these parts, Tony. Surely, again, grateful for your splendid work.

Mark

Eddie Sheehy · 04-05-2009, 09:07 PM

What tuning do you use?

Eddie Sheehy · 04-05-2009, 09:22 PM

I just bought a Waldzither in Germany...it's aThuringia - supposed to be a 1900 antique...

Martin Jonas · 04-06-2009, 04:12 AM

Eddie --

Looks nice. More likely to be 1920s than 1900, though -- is there a date on the label? Also (unless otherwise indicated on the label) more likely to be from Saxony than from Thuringia. A lot of people use the expression "Thuringian waldzither" as a generic type for nine-string citterns, as it was in Thuringia that the waldzither survived as a folk instrument during the long period of obscurity from about the 16th to the end of the 19th century. However, the vast majority of the instruments built in the subsequent waldzither boom were built either in Hamburg (where Boehm were based) or in Saxony (where the massmarket German violin and mandolin industry was centrered around the town of Markneukirchen). Yours has the typical look of the Saxony-made ones. "Real" Thuringian waldzithers are now quite rare, and I can think of only one Thuringia-based firm whose models crop up with any regularity on Ebay, and that is Heym from the town of Suhl. Heym waldzithers are very weird indeed, and yours isn't one of theirs. Of course, there were a number of small builders in Thuringia proper, and yours may have been made by one of them using Saxony influences.

None of this detracts from the fact that yours looks well-made in the photos and in pretty good condition, and should be a really nice instrument to play. Congratulations!

Martin

Tavy · 04-06-2009, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy

I just bought a Waldzither in Germany...it's aThuringia - supposed to be a 1900 antique...

Looks like a trend is starting here... waldzither orchestra anyone

I agree with Martin that it looks to be a 20's or 30's instrument rather than an older one, but the condition looks good which is the main thing!

Quote:

Perhaps I should consider a waldzither. After all I am half German, half Irish...

If you don't mind, would you PM me with the cost, including restoration?

Steve, I can't comment on what Tony charges for a high quality restoration like that, but ebay prices are typically £100 for unrestored examples, going up to £200-300 for the nicer restored ones.

Cheers, John.

Tavy · 04-06-2009, 05:51 AM

And while we're on the subject of waldzithers... this one just came up on ebay UK: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Old-German-wal...3A1|240%3A1318

Restored by David Hynds who occationally hangs out in these forums,

Cheers, John.

Martin Jonas · 04-06-2009, 11:23 AM

There are quite a few unrestored ones on Ebay Germany at any one time -- right now there are six of them, five of which still sitting at their starting bids of one Euro and the sixth on offer for an unrealistic BIN of 500 Euro. Of these, two are genuine Boehms from Hamburg:

Boehm 1
Boehm 2

Plus one Markneukirchen model similar to Eddie's new one:

Markneukirchen

The other three are Boehm imitations, as is the restored one offered by Dave Hynds.

Of these waldzithers, the fancier one of the two Boehms is the pick of the bunch: only the higher-grade instruments had the scratchplate and the headstock scroll, and they are really quite rare. Needs a bit of attention, though, including two top cracks.

Martin

Tavy · 04-06-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Jonas

Of these waldzithers, the fancier one of the two Boehms is the pick of the bunch: only the higher-grade instruments had the scratchplate and the headstock scroll, and they are really quite rare. Needs a bit of attention, though, including two top cracks.

Good spot, I might even have a bid on that one myself

John.

Markkunkel · 04-06-2009, 04:10 PM

Man, lots of cool Waldzithers! I may be tempted by some others myself.

I would certainly encourage interested folks to contact Tony for restoration/structural check-up, if they decide to go that way. NFI, but a VERY happy customer.

I took the Waldzither to the group I play with last night along with guitar and cittern, and it drew curiosity even from people mostly not curious about that stuff and by now largely immune to the novelty of instruments I bring along. It was immediately dubbed "the Volkswagen," which may be very apt...

long live "the peoples' CBOM"!

Mark

PS I drive a '78 VW bus which may have contributed to that particular christening as well...

Eddie Sheehy · 04-13-2009, 01:08 AM

I picked up the David Hynds restoration.

Tavy · 04-13-2009, 03:35 AM

Congrats!

Do post a sound sample and review when you have it. Looks like you got it for quite a good price too

Regards, John.

Bertram Henze · 04-13-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy

I picked up the David Hynds restoration.

With that inlay, it would be a credible display in Trinity College, next to the Book of Kells and Brian Boru's harp. I'd tell all the tourists that's what they played at the court of the high kings of Tara, with a straight face.

Bertram

Eddie Sheehy · 04-13-2009, 01:02 PM

I believe the Celtic design is painted on... Bertram, here is a link to an earlier post of mine on what was REALLY played in Tara...

Martin Jonas · 04-15-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Jonas

Of these waldzithers, the fancier one of the two Boehms is the pick of the bunch: only the higher-grade instruments had the scratchplate and the headstock scroll, and they are really quite rare. Needs a bit of attention, though, including two top cracks.

Went for 276 Euros, which is really rather a lot for an unrestored waldzither. Clearly, I wasn't the only one spotting the potential of this one.

Martin

Tavy · 04-16-2009, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Jonas

Went for 276 Euros, which is really rather a lot for an unrestored waldzither. Clearly, I wasn't the only one spotting the potential of this one.

Indeed not, I had a bid on, but it went way too rich for me, I guess I need to practice on some cheaper instruments before moving on to the gems!

Still looking for #2 yours, John.

dave17120 · 04-17-2009, 02:37 PM

I had a bid on for the scroll-toipped waldzither also......... a nice instrument!! BUT..... too rich for me too! And yes, the 'inlay' on the restoration above is painted under the varnish. I allowed myself that liberty as the instrument was an un-named Bohm copy........ but nice sound.

Regards to all, Dave

04-03-2009, 08:13 PM	#1
Markkunkel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 164	Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... In a thread on the "builders and repair" list http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...238#post645238 I shared the wonderful restoration work of Tony Dixon, a UK luthier, who just finished turning this (note the numerous scuffs and dings and the top crack, one of several, on the top treble bout): Attached Thumbnails

04-03-2009, 08:17 PM	#3
Markkunkel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 164	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... and this: Attached Thumbnails

04-04-2009, 12:08 AM	#5
clarksavage Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Osos, #CA. Posts: 256	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Mark - that looks and sounds magnificent. What a find! I found your mp3 interesting and entertaining. Thank you. Clark __________________ Clark Savage Turner Los Osos, CA.

04-04-2009, 08:49 AM	#6
Steve-o Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 397	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Hi Mark, Oh my, what a beautiful instument! The restoration is perfect. I love the binding/purfling and the rosette - very unique. I expect that's some nice Brazilian rosewood too. And what an interesting folk instrument the waldzither is - I had not followed your earlier thread and had only seen the old Andy Irvine vids on YouTube. I enjoyed your sound clips and imagine you will have loads of fun figuring out new tunings and arrangements. Perhaps I should consider a waldzither. After all I am half German, half Irish... If you don't mind, would you PM me with the cost, including restoration? Thanks for sharing. __________________ Steve Michigan Social Group Poe Mandolins Group

04-04-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
Bertram Henze ...but that's just me Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 1,523	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... No need to apologize for your playing - that snippet of the Kesh Jig proves you're well on your way. And with an instrument like that, a pleasant way, too, fit to take your listeners for a ride as well. I suppose that, in a later stage, when you employ more double stops in the melody, that waldzither will conquer the world. Bertram __________________ the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

04-03-2009, 08:15 PM	#2
Markkunkel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 164	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... into THIS (repaired, freshly French polished, and set up just perfectly with a brand-new bridge but all else original): Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Markkunkel; 04-03-2009 at 08:32 PM.

04-05-2009, 02:33 AM	#8
tonydxn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mansfield UK Posts: 17	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Hi Folks Thanks for all your kind words . . . I just wanted to make clear that it's Indian, not Brazilian rosewood (but it's a very nice bit). Good luck, Mark. I reckon you're doing more with this instrument than any of its previous owners did. Tony Dixon

04-05-2009, 09:07 PM	#11
Eddie Sheehy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,930	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... What tuning do you use? __________________ Expensive Kindling with Strings

04-05-2009, 09:22 PM	#12
Eddie Sheehy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,930	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... I just bought a Waldzither in Germany...it's aThuringia - supposed to be a 1900 antique... Attached Thumbnails __________________ Expensive Kindling with Strings

04-06-2009, 04:12 AM	#13
Martin Jonas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northop, North Wales Posts: 3,452	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Eddie -- Looks nice. More likely to be 1920s than 1900, though -- is there a date on the label? Also (unless otherwise indicated on the label) more likely to be from Saxony than from Thuringia. A lot of people use the expression "Thuringian waldzither" as a generic type for nine-string citterns, as it was in Thuringia that the waldzither survived as a folk instrument during the long period of obscurity from about the 16th to the end of the 19th century. However, the vast majority of the instruments built in the subsequent waldzither boom were built either in Hamburg (where Boehm were based) or in Saxony (where the massmarket German violin and mandolin industry was centrered around the town of Markneukirchen). Yours has the typical look of the Saxony-made ones. "Real" Thuringian waldzithers are now quite rare, and I can think of only one Thuringia-based firm whose models crop up with any regularity on Ebay, and that is Heym from the town of Suhl. Heym waldzithers are very weird indeed, and yours isn't one of theirs. Of course, there were a number of small builders in Thuringia proper, and yours may have been made by one of them using Saxony influences. None of this detracts from the fact that yours looks well-made in the photos and in pretty good condition, and should be a really nice instrument to play. Congratulations! Martin

04-06-2009, 05:51 AM	#15
Tavy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tavistock UK Posts: 354	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... And while we're on the subject of waldzithers... this one just came up on ebay UK: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Old-German-wal...3A1\|240%3A1318 Restored by David Hynds who occationally hangs out in these forums, Cheers, John.

04-06-2009, 11:23 AM	#16
Martin Jonas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northop, North Wales Posts: 3,452	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... There are quite a few unrestored ones on Ebay Germany at any one time -- right now there are six of them, five of which still sitting at their starting bids of one Euro and the sixth on offer for an unrealistic BIN of 500 Euro. Of these, two are genuine Boehms from Hamburg: Boehm 1 Boehm 2 Plus one Markneukirchen model similar to Eddie's new one: Markneukirchen The other three are Boehm imitations, as is the restored one offered by Dave Hynds. Of these waldzithers, the fancier one of the two Boehms is the pick of the bunch: only the higher-grade instruments had the scratchplate and the headstock scroll, and they are really quite rare. Needs a bit of attention, though, including two top cracks. Martin

04-06-2009, 04:10 PM	#18
Markkunkel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 164	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Man, lots of cool Waldzithers! I may be tempted by some others myself. I would certainly encourage interested folks to contact Tony for restoration/structural check-up, if they decide to go that way. NFI, but a VERY happy customer. I took the Waldzither to the group I play with last night along with guitar and cittern, and it drew curiosity even from people mostly not curious about that stuff and by now largely immune to the novelty of instruments I bring along. It was immediately dubbed "the Volkswagen," which may be very apt... long live "the peoples' CBOM"! Mark PS I drive a '78 VW bus which may have contributed to that particular christening as well...

04-13-2009, 01:08 AM	#19
Eddie Sheehy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,930	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... I picked up the David Hynds restoration. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Expensive Kindling with Strings

04-13-2009, 03:35 AM	#20
Tavy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tavistock UK Posts: 354	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... Congrats! Do post a sound sample and review when you have it. Looks like you got it for quite a good price too Regards, John.

04-13-2009, 01:02 PM	#22
Eddie Sheehy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,930	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... I believe the Celtic design is painted on... Bertram, here is a link to an earlier post of mine on what was REALLY played in Tara... __________________ Expensive Kindling with Strings

04-17-2009, 02:37 PM	#25
dave17120 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S W France Posts: 537	Re: Bohm Waldzither restoration, sound sample... I had a bid on for the scroll-toipped waldzither also......... a nice instrument!! BUT..... too rich for me too! And yes, the 'inlay' on the restoration above is painted under the varnish. I allowed myself that liberty as the instrument was an un-named Bohm copy........ but nice sound. Regards to all, Dave __________________ No such thing as a dead mandolin!