Hungarian Zither

Description

What is Hungarian Zither?
The zither is a plucked string Hungarian folk instrument that can be used to play a melody or chord / bass accompaniment on 2.5 octave.
The instrument is available in 12, 14 or 18 string versions.
The strings on the zither can be divided into 3 parts according to their functions:
● tune strings-
these can be found above the fretboard
●
guest strings-
the tune strings are accompanied by 3 bass strings and 2 another strings those are the same as the tune strings
● cue strings- these string can be found on the small
heads. During the zither play the cue strings provide a plus sound even without plucking.
The tune strings are traditionally tuned to G-note. The guest and the cue strings are tuned to G-note or C-note at different pitches.
On the zither the notes are based on the mioxlid scale. This means that in the case of the keynote G the main notes (C, D, E, F, G, A, H,) are at the bottom row of the fretboard, but on the top row are the modified notes, such as the white and black keys on the piano.
About us
Since 1999 László Kovács in addition to folk musical and educator activity
, he is engaged in the manufacture of folk Instruments in his own workshop; primarily zithers, Hurdy-Gurdies, and flutes.
In 2013, he won the award of “Hungarian Handicraft Masterpiece” founded by the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with his handicraft work combining high-quality and artistic implementation.
Having learned the precision seen from him, from 2018 his son, Sebestyén Kovács, is also produces constantly professional or student zithers.
Material usage
The front- and the rear blocks, and the small heads on the side are made of beech. Beech is a quite hard wood, it is able to resist the tension against the strings, and to retain tuning.
The sides of the zither are made of scots pine and the top is made of spruce.
Besides that we use cherry veneer, hanging nails, copper rods for the fretboard and stainless steel for the tuner pins.