Friends of the Zither
and the Psaltery
Updated 03/20/2024
Maintain your instrument
or how to solve small violin making problems at home
THE QUESTIONS :
1. When my instrument is tuned (in major) and I play a piece
with minor chords it doesn't sound quite right.
2.
I bought a used zither and one string is broken (or missing or it doesn't sound good)
3.
One of the strings no longer holds the tuning
4.
There is a crooked ankle
Let's go! Short videos will come later to illustrate these remarks.
1.
It is necessary to adjust the modulators.
But how ?
Start by putting the zither on a table, observe and think (otherwise, all the explanations will be of little use)
New paragraph
We observe that for each chord, the strings of the thirds are taken on a modulator, (gold colored rod) and that, on either side of this modulator, there are two screws, (one smaller on the right and one more large on the left) on which the modulator comes up against.
Let's think: when I tighten my string, the sound rises and vice versa. It all depends on that.
The only weapon needed here is a screwdriver.
When the modulator hits the right screw, the string is tighter. The chord is in major.
Conversely, when the modulator hits the left screw, the string is less tense, the tuning is in minor and the screws have been placed so that there is a half tone between the two. But this half tone is subject to variation over time, hence the need for adjustment (twice a year)
If the tuning was done in major for example, it may happen that it is not just in minor.
Let's think again... There are two solutions: go down to major or go up to minor. It can be equal but not always.
If it's equal, it's equal. To go up to minor, simply tighten the left screw a little and to go down to major, simply unscrew the right screw a little. And there, the second weapon is patience. Tighten (or unscrew), check minor, check major until the string is just right in major and minor. However, the result can be quickly obtained.
It can happen that it is very difficult to screw in minor because you have the impression of being "at the end". In this case it is worth unscrewing with a major finger... while being careful not to unscrew too much because the modulator will not hold: suddenly, in the middle of playing, bam! he jumps ! But it's not big deal !
So you have to find the right balance. So all you need is a screwdriver and some patience. Isn’t life beautiful?!
2. Change a string!
Ah, it’s like the grain of wood when you sculpt! We're making a big deal out of it, even though it's simple. But yes !
Three scenarios
- the rope is broken
- the rope is missing
- the string needs to be replaced because it is deaf
And we complicate it a little: the incriminated string is on a modulator.
Start by removing the support bar (usually 3 Phillips screws). Then, whatever the case, “unscrew” the ankle by three turns maximum. Then remove the rope or the end of the rope, and if necessary unhook the rope at the bottom.
If it is a modulator string, carefully observe how the string passes over the modulator.
Hang the rope on the ankle while observing how the other ropes are mounted. Pull and hook the “loop” onto the small nail at the bottom. Then turn the dowel in the opposite direction while holding the spirals at the top. To agree. The first is difficult, the second not very easy, the following ones are like butter!!!
If it is a modulator, pass the string through the hollow of the modulator, while maintaining it as it was before and as the others are. Here, although a little dexterity is required, it is still observation that takes precedence.