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Thread: Waldzither...

  1. #51
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Just curious about these. How do you deal with stringing these? Do they need loops on both ends like the Portuguese guitarras with those Preston tuners? No one seems to have any problems with that, at least on this thread.
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  2. #52

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    i haven't changed strings on mine yet... only gets played a couple of times a year, when I'm on vacation in Ireland...

  3. #53
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Just curious about these. How do you deal with stringing these? Do they need loops on both ends like the Portuguese guitarras with those Preston tuners? No one seems to have any problems with that, at least on this thread.
    Exactly how they're restrung. However, in this thread, I'd thought about replacing the tailpiece with an Allen MR-10 or TR-10 so I could use ball end strings....
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  4. #54
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Zamites View Post
    Exactly how they're restrung. However, in this thread, I'd thought about replacing the tailpiece with an Allen MR-10 or TR-10 so I could use ball end strings....
    As a few folks note on that linked thread: you still need to have a strong loop on both ends of each string.
    Jim

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  5. #55
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    As a few folks note on that linked thread: you still need to have a strong loop on both ends of each string.
    Maybe I'm missing your point. If I put on a tailpiece that accepts ball end strings, I'd only have to wind the opposite end instead of two ends for each string? What am i missing?
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  6. #56
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Rob: you can buy strings with one loop, regardless of whether they have ballends or loop ends. What you can't buy AFAIK are double-looped strings. You shouldn't have to create loops on both ends in either case unless you buy unlooped strings. I was just asking how people deal with that. I guess they buy those string looper devices either from John Pearse or Fernandez.
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  7. #57
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Rob: you can buy strings with one loop, regardless of whether they have ballends or loop ends. What you can't buy AFAIK are double-looped strings. You shouldn't have to create loops on both ends in either case unless you buy unlooped strings. I was just asking how people deal with that. I guess they buy those string looper devices either from John Pearse or Fernandez.
    Ye gods, pardon me, I have had a strange few days off, with odd sleep patterns and a mushy brain. Of course it doesn't matter if I have ball or loop end strings, since both ends require loops for a waldzither. I need more...sleep, I guess...
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  8. #58
    Registered User Martin Jonas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Rob: you can buy strings with one loop, regardless of whether they have ballends or loop ends. What you can't buy AFAIK are double-looped strings. You shouldn't have to create loops on both ends in either case unless you buy unlooped strings. I was just asking how people deal with that. I guess they buy those string looper devices either from John Pearse or Fernandez.
    Fortunately, both of my waldzithers have standard geared tuners -- the Preston tuners were a marketing ploy by Böhm to make their instruments look more self-consciously ancient. However, as it happens you can buy double-looped strings, at least if you're setting a waldzither up in its traditional open-C tuning rather than mandola tuning. Optima and Lenzner each offer waldzither strings which will be cut and looped to the precise length specified at the time of ordering. Available from Schneider-Musik:

    Optima
    Lenzner

    Martin

  9. #59
    Registered User Colin Lindsay's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    https://soundcloud.com/corncrake/waldzither-sample

    Playing a double jig called “Out on the Ocean” on my original glass-bridged Reiche model. A lovely warm sound even through a cheap built-in mic.
    "Danger! Do Not Touch!" must be one of the scariest things to read in Braille....

  10. #60

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    [QUOTE=Colin Lindsay;1344656]https://soundcloud.com/corncrake/waldzither-sample

    Playing a double jig called “Out on the Ocean” on my original glass-bridged Reiche model. A lovely warm sound even through a cheap built-in mic.[/QUOT
    E]

    Nicely played Colin. Must get you down here for a gig sometime!

  11. #61
    Registered User Mike Anderson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Markkunkel View Post
    Given the recent interest in stuff Waldzither, I thought to start a new thread. I've had two, this "super spiffy" one with the scrolled peghead, restoration courtesy of our very own Jake Wildwood:
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    and my present trusty first one, their less ornate but still very very cool model (check out that binding):
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    I've had both tuned GDAeb, with the G being single-stringed, and they are splendid that way. A unique and somewhat "medieval" sound. Anybody else?

    MK
    Well, something triggered some neurons this morning, remembering this instrument and the scrolled headstock: could it be that the well-known image of Andy Irvine playing what I'd always thought of as a Portuguese guitarra from the back of "The Well Below the Valley" is really another one of his waldzithers?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    There is plenty of video footage of him playing one with a plainer headstock, e.g.



    If anyone knows if the album picture is really another waldzither that would be great!
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  12. #62
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    I would love to see a photo of a glass bridge that goes on these WZs. Is it compensated? Is it all glass or just the top?
    Jim

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  13. #63
    Registered User Colin Lindsay's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I would love to see a photo of a glass bridge that goes on these WZs.
    Your wish is my command! Just a prismatic glass strip with notches for the strings; nothing fancy. As I said earlier I had the notion that the glass edge, being sharp and therefore striking less of the string than a wooden one, may allow for a sharper sound - but this may be just fanciful on my part and have no basis in musical science whatsoever...
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    "Danger! Do Not Touch!" must be one of the scariest things to read in Braille....

  14. #64
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    It is interesting. The traditional bandolim for choro usually has a bone bridge for the same reason, I would imagine -- a nice bright tone. I would think tho that it is the substance rather than just the shape of the bridge top tho that might contribute something.
    Jim

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  15. #65

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Anderson View Post
    Well, something triggered some neurons this morning, remembering this instrument and the scrolled headstock: could it be that the well-known image of Andy Irvine playing what I'd always thought of as a Portuguese guitarra from the back of "The Well Below the Valley" is really another one of his waldzithers?

    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	126548

    There is plenty of video footage of him playing one with a plainer headstock, e.g.



    If anyone knows if the album picture is really another waldzither that would be great!
    Nope its a guittara restrung as a manolin. He did the same with the waldzither. Never had 9 strings on his

  16. #66
    Registered User Mike Anderson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by garryireland View Post
    Nope its a guittara restrung as a manolin. He did the same with the waldzither. Never had 9 strings on his
    Thanks Garry!!!
    "But wasn't it all stupid nonsense, rot, gibberish, and criminally fraudulent nincompoopery?"
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  17. #67
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    And another kick of this thread, just in case you missed my post in the other one I did:



    It's almost certain the 3 course is going to be collecting more and more dust. 'Tis sad, aye, but 'tis true. I just really love the sound of the 'zither. I'm going to take her to Elderly soon and see about lowering the action just a hair, is a wee bit high for my tastes up around the 7th-12th frets.

    All in all though, I'd love to see a modern revival of these oh-so-versatile instruments shoot...maybe I'll buy a Kawalek kit *after* I attend the workshop this coming spring, and try modding one up
    =============================
    Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
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    Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
    =============================
    "Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce

  18. #68

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Zamites View Post
    And another kick of this thread, just in case you missed my post in the other one I did:



    It's almost certain the 3 course is going to be collecting more and more dust. 'Tis sad, aye, but 'tis true. I just really love the sound of the 'zither. I'm going to take her to Elderly soon and see about lowering the action just a hair, is a wee bit high for my tastes up around the 7th-12th frets.

    All in all though, I'd love to see a modern revival of these oh-so-versatile instruments shoot...maybe I'll buy a Kawalek kit *after* I attend the workshop this coming spring, and try modding one up
    Oh Rob. I think im gonna have to buy a new one now!

  19. #69
    Butcherer of Songs Rob Zamites's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by garryireland View Post
    Oh Rob. I think im gonna have to buy a new one now!
    Dude, it's as versatile of an instrument as I've ever touched, given the scale length, there is more than a few tunings you could use, and with the longer end of that spectrum (43-50cm), add a capo and you're really talking versatile. I'm seriously considering putting the Pope 3 course up for sale, since it hasn't even been *touched* since I got the 'zither!
    =============================
    Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
    Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
    Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
    =============================
    "Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce

  20. #70

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Zamites View Post
    Dude, it's as versatile of an instrument as I've ever touched, given the scale length, there is more than a few tunings you could use, and with the longer end of that spectrum (43-50cm), add a capo and you're really talking versatile. I'm seriously considering putting the Pope 3 course up for sale, since it hasn't even been *touched* since I got the 'zither!
    glad i could help.and glad it got a good home

  21. #71
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
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    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	205702 I love these Optima Strings which use Open C Tuning. This tuning is essentially a Perfect Fourth above the Keith Richards 5 String Open G Tuning (the Bass Waldzither on the other hand is tuned the same) & I managed to put Slightly Heavier strings on it so I could tune it down to Open G w/ the top 4 Strings (or all 5) Doubled. Some Waldzithers have a longer scale length so they can easily handle that lower tuning.

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