'Thisinstrument uses readily available materials found in the home,craft stores and hardware stores. The zither can also play chords , sharps and flats .
REF- INSTRUCTABLE: Make a mini-harp from a plastic throwing disc.[mistic] 6-28-09 .
This Referenced Instructable gives valuable information on construction and stability.
REF- INSTRUCTABLE: Make a mini-harp from a plastic throwing disc.[mistic] 6-28-09 .
This Referenced Instructable gives valuable information on construction and stability.
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Signing UpStep 1: Step 1-MATERIALS-Preliminary Preparations
1-Body-Tray selected for its resonating quality of the wooden bottom.This is found in many arts and crafts stores such as Micheals.Bottom is usually 3 ply 1/16 in. thick wood sheet. This box or tray was sanded, stained and a coat of polyurethane applied before any work starts.Apply glue {goop} in every inside corner and sides of the resonator sheet to eliminate poor response. Finished unit has a 1/8 thick plywood bottom to amplify the notes.
Anyone who is a wood worker can easily make this type box with dimensions shown.{See diagram}
2-Tuners, strings, crimps,-The Ref. Inst. shown here-in gives great details on the tuner material, strings, etc.Basically the tuners are 5/8 size nickle plated steel with the collar molded in.
Crimps are low cost jewelry crimps that can be tubes, beads or U-crimps.
Strings- are high polymer space age plastic elastic type of 1mm.Dia found in all art and crafts stores or Walmart Some times called cord for jewelry crafts and beads making. Nylon will not work since it is very difficult to stretch to a note or pitch and needs a high tension value.Thus this is the beauty of elastic string. No high tensions are needed.
3-Chord keys- I am introducing a novel concept as to make chords.This zither can be made deleting these chord keys Then desired chords are struck using 3 keys of a chord with the in-between notes muted with the left hand.Chord keys here use plastic coffee stirring sticks selected because of their springiness.These sticks are 1/4 in. wide and lengths to 4 inches.
Other springy materials could also be used as plastic sheeting or aluminum 1/32 in sheets.
4 Sharp Keys- Are added as a convenience . Actually sharp notes can be generated with a finger tip placed 1/4 inch down from the tuner.Strumming the string will generated a 1/2 note higher note.
I used black plastic cable ties [11 in. sizes].Cut off about all the excess, bend and glue in place per the drawing shown.All keys can be separately positioned on a wood strip and glues in place before assembly as shown with steel rod materials or large paper clip wire.
Felt finger pads were added later for aid in down pressure of fingers.
5-Tuner Mount Rod. Use a 3/4 in. Diam. good quality rod.Pre-drill 17 holes for 17 notes spaced 1/2 in . apart with a .093 drill bit. Start the closed end cup hooks into each hole . Silicone grease can be used at the tip before starting. Screw all the way to the collar and then 2 more times.
6. Chord Keys-The key material is held down with a clamping holder as shown in the diagram.
First cut stain and stack the sticks on the bottom wood strip then apply top strip and tighten with the 6/32 screw / nut .Ends of sticks at string side must have a muting material attached such as felt.
Anyone who is a wood worker can easily make this type box with dimensions shown.{See diagram}
2-Tuners, strings, crimps,-The Ref. Inst. shown here-in gives great details on the tuner material, strings, etc.Basically the tuners are 5/8 size nickle plated steel with the collar molded in.
Crimps are low cost jewelry crimps that can be tubes, beads or U-crimps.
Strings- are high polymer space age plastic elastic type of 1mm.Dia found in all art and crafts stores or Walmart Some times called cord for jewelry crafts and beads making. Nylon will not work since it is very difficult to stretch to a note or pitch and needs a high tension value.Thus this is the beauty of elastic string. No high tensions are needed.
3-Chord keys- I am introducing a novel concept as to make chords.This zither can be made deleting these chord keys Then desired chords are struck using 3 keys of a chord with the in-between notes muted with the left hand.Chord keys here use plastic coffee stirring sticks selected because of their springiness.These sticks are 1/4 in. wide and lengths to 4 inches.
Other springy materials could also be used as plastic sheeting or aluminum 1/32 in sheets.
4 Sharp Keys- Are added as a convenience . Actually sharp notes can be generated with a finger tip placed 1/4 inch down from the tuner.Strumming the string will generated a 1/2 note higher note.
I used black plastic cable ties [11 in. sizes].Cut off about all the excess, bend and glue in place per the drawing shown.All keys can be separately positioned on a wood strip and glues in place before assembly as shown with steel rod materials or large paper clip wire.
Felt finger pads were added later for aid in down pressure of fingers.
5-Tuner Mount Rod. Use a 3/4 in. Diam. good quality rod.Pre-drill 17 holes for 17 notes spaced 1/2 in . apart with a .093 drill bit. Start the closed end cup hooks into each hole . Silicone grease can be used at the tip before starting. Screw all the way to the collar and then 2 more times.
6. Chord Keys-The key material is held down with a clamping holder as shown in the diagram.
First cut stain and stack the sticks on the bottom wood strip then apply top strip and tighten with the 6/32 screw / nut .Ends of sticks at string side must have a muting material attached such as felt.
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The sides wood are poplar I believe .
I have dis continued the web site temorarly due to a hacking problem.. I do have e-mail address tho for questions, aid,etc...gumistic@yahoo.com