Sound of China's Master Ji Rosewood Concert Guzheng

[daddygthang45]

music of the orient dot com model number 697-1. What type of guzheng is this?

[yukinachang]

@daddygthang45

that's a 多声弦制古筝 designed by Prof. Li Meng of Central Music Conservatory. Most of the time, one side is tuned in pentatonic scale, and the other side is in diatonic scale. So it's just like a piano that has 12 notes in an octave. It's mainly used inside the conservatories for new pieces that require a lot of notes.

For an example of it's music, search "《藤缠树》 多声弦筝曲" in google.

[daddygthang45]

Does anybody anybody know what the guzheng with the wierd strip that runs int the middle until the last three strings?

[yukinachang]

@daddygthang45

It's hard to understand your description.  Can you show a picture?

[soulglow8]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply! What currency are you referring to for the given price range?

[yukinachang]

@soulglow8

It's in USD

[soulglow8]

Which model would you recommend for sustainable sound quality & durability? As I live in Canada where the air is quite dry during the fall & winter, how do I keep the guzheng in its best natural conditions? Even though my home is equipped with central humidifiying, I wonder if the central heating may hurt the wood & the strings! Which kind of wood ( for guzheng) is most resistent to artificial central forced air heating & dryness?

[yukinachang]

@soulglow8

you can check out my website "soundofchina" for information on how to take care of guzheng in dry condition. If you are very concerned about dry weather, then your best choice is Xi'An Zhuque Scarlet Bird. Otherwise, there are many good choises.

[soulglow8]

Where is Ji Shihan's private workshop now ? Does he have a website?

Your vd's are very educational.

Thank you very much for posting the series of different models of Guzheng & demonstrating their sound quality. What is the approximate range in price

( highest to lowest) ? For long term durability & sound quality, which one would you recommend for an amateur?

[yukinachang]

@soulglow8

He is in 台中. He doen't have a website, but several Taiwanese stores carry his instruments. You can also check out his instruments on their sites.

Guzheng prices range from $200-$2300 depends on the quality.

[soulglow8]

@yukinachang

Thank you very much for your prompt reply ! What currency are you referring to for the given price range?

[21FingerGod]

That is an Amazing sounding Guzheng.

Hong Sheng doesn't sound familiar... Is it a relatively new brand? Or is it just now coming into recognition?

[yukinachang]

Hong Sheng is actually a very old brand. More than 30 years of history. The owner Ji Shihan used to own Hong Sheng guzheng factory, but the factory was shut down in the 90s because they can't compete against the guzhengs from China in price. After that, he's been making high-end guzhengs in his private workshop.

Yeah, the sound is good, huh? I love how clean it sounds yet very rich and full.

[21FingerGod]

In my opinion, some of the best instruments ever, are hand crafted. There's heart and love and passion built straight into them that you can't recreate with even the finest of machinery and mildly trained personnel.

It sounds so sweet because it's built and designed from the maker's heart.

Thank you for sharing this :D