by Caley Hand » Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:45 pm
Hi, I didn't find an introduction area, so I am just diving in somewhere to see what happens. I have always loved music. It has always rattled around in my brain, without any way to get out via a musical instrument. I am soon to be 69 years young, and really wanted to try learning things that I can do with the hands. Recently I purchased a Yamaha 76 key digital piano, and have played they instrument a little. It's kind of difficult when for some reason I cannot get both hands working together. I guess that is something you learn, though, maybe I am starting too late in life.
I've been listening to many types of instruments on YouTube, and one just caught my attention, the Zithers. I am assuming these are just a different type of harp. There seems to be a ton of variations to the harps. But the Zither seems to be something that just sounded right to my ear.
So I took the plunge and just purchased one, circa 1896, for $50. It was listed as a display model, but after a few emails, the only problem it has seems to be a crack running from top to bottom on the back. The picture shows it very prominently, but I am hoping it is repairable, and this forum is where I hope to get the information to achieve that repair. From the videos on YouTube on guitar crack repair, it seems I need to somehow get short pieces of wood set crosswise inside, over the crack. It looks like about five pieces should achieve some stability to the crack. Next would be somehow bringing both sides of the wood together, if that is needed, or possibly just gluing the crack back together. I don't know what type of glue is required, but I will tell you now that CA of any type and I do not get along at all. I am a disaster with the stuff, getting more on me than the subject, even though my fingers never come in contact with the stuff. Kind of like it migrates through the air to my fingers.
Based on the emails, the string tuning pegs are all intact and firm. So, all I will need to do is replace all the strings, and get them tuned properly. I am trying to find some kind of APP that I can run on my computer, or an inexpensive device I can use, hopefully found on Amazon.
But before I string it, I will have to clean the wood up, and refinish the instrument completely, without, hopefully, ruining the artwork, and the lettering on it.
Since I have never repaired an instrument, I will have to rely on those on this Forum, and just take things very slowly. I would absolutely love to achieve as nice a restoration as I can. If I had the money, I would pay a professional, but then again, this is a cheapie, and not worth the expense. It is a learning experience that I hope I can achieve some success on.
Regards Caley Ann Hand