Mystery Instrument!

[Nyaz]

Hello Music Friends!
I got a hold of this beautiful instrument today.
Can someone tell me what it is?!?!?!

Here's what I know:
-It should have 4 strings
-It is missing its neck
-It has 30 frets which are on its body
-It has three feet on the bottom, which makes me think it was meant to be played laying flat
-It is over 100 years old
-It still resonates when certain tones are sounded vocally, which tells me it isn't totally ruined despite sitting in a backyard workshop for 50 years.

Here is a picture of it.

Thanks!

-Nyaz

 

[Nyaz]

I FOUND IT!

This instrument is a Bowed Zither (aka Streichzither) from Germany. It was made between 1875-1910.

YAY. Mystery solved!

 

[teddy]

Interesting photo. Glad you found the answer

teddy

 

[wljmrbill]

Very interesting picture/instrument. Better get it apprased and insured I am sure.

 

[Nyaz]

Hey Teddy and Wljmrbill,
Yes yes, I am very excited! I currently have it quarantined in a plastic bag because there is evidence, in the form of a number of small holes, of a past or present presence of wood worms. I think they are long gone, but if not I am keeping them away from my guitars and mandolin just in case! (Not to mention my book shelves!)
I am going to get it looked at eventually and see how much it would cost to get it repaired. I have no gauge of the worth of an instrument like this, but even if it is worth something, I feel that serendipity placed this little guy in my home, so it is only my duty to learn how to play it!
Thanks for the replies and support! I'll get some pics up after the refurbish!
Thanks again!
Nyaz

 

[teddy]

Please let us know how things go with your find

teddy

 

[Contratrombone64]

Hi Nyaz, nice to see your post here. What a fascinating instrument, I've heard of a bowed zither, but never seen one.

 

[Nyaz]

Hey Contratrombone and All!
Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes... I actually got this instrument from my Grandmother-in-law... she was going to sell it at a flea market!!! WHAT?!?! I saw a guy with it in his hand, turning it around and asking what it was, and I intercepted the 'sell' and quoted him a price that no one at a flea market wants to pay... 30 Euro *gasp*
I convinced her to let me take it and see what I could do with it, and she was all for that! One (wo)man's trash is another (wo)man's treasure, right?

I found this site which has sound snippets from the instrument (or similar instruments), and I though I would share it with you guys:

http://www.rottal-inn.de/abteilung1/Volksmusik/musikinstrumente/zitherinstrumente/index.htm

The example titles " "Zwiefacher", gespielt von Heinz Gratz auf der Kochendörfer Streichzither von 1911 (MP3, 651 KB)" is the closest one to the instrument I have.

Pretty awesome! Not as pretty sounding as a violin (IMHO), but who knows....I will experiment with it when I get it fixed up and see what wonderful music I can make with it! (Also, I'm keeping in mind that it is a recording from 1911, so there is no way to get an idea of the live sound!)
I DO love the folkie sound you get from it, though! Even though it is a classical instrument, I can hear some pretty awesome folk and singer/songwriter applications. It reminds me a little of Irish fiddle... without the fiddle...

More to come.

Cheers!
Nyaz

 

[teddy]

Do let us know how you get on. It would be good to hear you playing it one day

teddy

 

[Contratrombone64]

@Nyaz, where are you from, USA, UK, N.Z.? Were a diverse community, here. It's part of the attraction of this forum. Many, many gifted and talented musicians, writers, humourists and bullshit artists hang out here ... all making it a wonderful world.

 

[wljmrbill]

Enjoyed reading through the article. The mp3 of the Vivaldi concerto brings forth the use of the instument. The other link sounds like it is played with a bow to me.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Good to see the net nanny edited my post because typing b u l l s h i t was obviously too naughty. However, spaces soon proove that the net nanny is, in fact, a bot.

 

[Krummhorn]

Good to see the net nanny edited my post because typing b u l l s h i t was obviously too naughty. However, spaces soon prove that the net nanny is, in fact, a bot.

It does ... and it is . However, it is programmed by yours truly .. :nut:

 

[Contratrombone64]

And, thank goodness that our beloved LARS is NOT a bot, but in fact a proper man!!

I'll be in L.A. in October next year, Lars, if you happen to be in the neighbour hood! LOL

 

[John Watt]

I'm looking at this for the first time, and I'm thinking,
this has to be something you've made up a nickname for.
What is it?

If you are experimenting with the acoustics here,
I recommend a piece of wood like violins use, propped inside.
If you move that around, you might find tonal control, even harmonic tuning, that you like.

 

[methodistgirl]

I can just imagine someone like Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart playing such an instrument
because this one originated in Germany.
judy jennings

 

[Mat]

According to the original poster, Nyaz, bowed zither wasn't invented until 1875, so if it's true, then none of the composers mentioned above could have played it.

 

[Nyaz]

Hey All,
Contratrombone: I am originally from the USA, but I now live in Germany.
I am really happy to have found this forum! Music is awesome!

Mat: In my original post, I did not say the instrument was invented in 1875, I said, or meant if it was vague, that this PARTICULAR instrument was made between 1875-1910. I don't know when the entire instrument class called "Streichzither" was invented, but it evolved out of the violin. IF my memory serves me correctly, the instrument evolved into existence at the beginning of the 19th century, which still puts it was later than Bach's living time, however methodistgirl is not off base by saying she can hear Bach, etc. playing something like this... it would have just been an older cousin of the instrument, although not necessarily a Bowed Zither as shown here

John Watt: I know, crazy right!!??! But I didn't make it up! I got this baby from my cute little grandma! Thanks for the preparation tip. I will give it a try when I get the instrument fixed up and will let y'all know!

Liebe Grüße from Berlin,
Nyaz

 

[John Watt]

C'mon, don't be shy, just calling it "this baby from my cute grandma".
That's not like getting a hot rod from the little old lady in Pasedena.
This instrument has to be older than anyone surmises.
When I imagine Mozart strumming away on it while being driven in a carriage,
the scenario seems so real it must have happened.
I'll present you with a psychic appraisal, if you want.
Yeah, crazy is as crazy gets, by request.