Re: Just purchased Balalaika
It is probably made at the Lunacharsky factory in St. Petersburg/Leningrad. I have one from the 1960s, they made mandolins and other assorted instruments as well, and luckily usually stamped year of manufacture. Is your strung with all steel or a combo of steel and nylon? I used a Roosebeck string set with the steel/nylon combo, once the steel A string wore out though I bought an equivalent gauge single Elixir string from www.JustStrings.com
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Its a combo 1 steel and 2 nylon. I really didn't know anything about these and now that I have been researching I love the music played with them amazing
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
CCCP = SSSR (Soviet era). Can you post a photo of the label or any other branding. There are some of us here who can at least read the Russian alphabet.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Here is a history of the Lunacharsky factory that is interesting reading, scroll down halfway if you don't read Russian: http://www.bostonbalalaika.com/lunac...toriya_ru.html Boston Balalaika is a good general resource for balalaika playing as well.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Let me see what I can do. Its tough because its on the inside of course. Thanks
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Russian built instruments were built in government run factories to government specifications. One of the items on that label will be the specification number for the instrument. I'ts kind of hard for most of us to understand. I work with a young Russian lady that generally translates the labels for me when I run into them.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seter
I used a Roosebeck string set with the steel/nylon combo, once the steel A string wore out though I bought an equivalent gauge single Elixir string from
www.JustStrings.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grm
Its a combo 1 steel and 2 nylon. I really didn't know anything about these and now that I have been researching I love the music played with them amazing
You can use a .010 inch plain loop end steel string for the high A, and for the 2 E's, use a classical guitar G.
If you search the net there are a number of good free balalaika method books.
I love the instrument.
OP? does your have the full length fingerboard?
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Domra adds that 4th string..
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mandroid
Domra adds that 4th string..
And different tunings.
Prima balalaika is tune EEA, a unison and a 4th.
3 string domras are tuned in 4ths
4 string domras are tuned in 5ths
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grm
Its a combo 1 steel and 2 nylon. I really didn't know anything about these and now that I have been researching I love the music played with them amazing
Can you maybe help me?
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Deb70: what kind of help are you looking for?
BTW juststrings.com carries two brands of balalaika strings.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
CCCP = SSSR (Soviet era). Can you post a photo of the label or any other branding. There are some of us here who can at least read the Russian alphabet.
Typo there. That should be "CCCP means USSR." (Every Canadian of a certain vintage knows that from international hockey tournaments.)
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Ranald: I think i was just transliterating the letters not the meaning. That is OK.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
I have one. Bought it for $50, thinking I could tune it up and fool with it.
Wrong. Turns out there are two types of balalaikas: one for musicians, made to be played, and one for tourists, meant to be hung on the wall. The tourist ones look like real instruments but are unplayable. Grr.
And yes, CCCP was the Soviet Union.
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Deb70
Can you maybe help me?
I messaged you on Facebook I have photo of an engraved palate I’m hoping you can help me with. Will you check that out or even feel free to email me atbradshawrdkvs@yahoo.com
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ui4...BVydvay4yhopLg
I’m new to this feed and not sure how to post a photo
Re: Just purchased Balalaika
Never heard of one until the movie Dr Zhivago came out. Beautiful sound !