26-String Guzheng

This is a 26-string zither from Taiwanese guzheng maker Cai Yuanhong, created under the Songbo brand. Intended for those who want a greater range on their instrument, this one yields an additional pentatonic octave or can be tuned to just shy of four full diatonic octaves.

Most guzheng music is composed for instruments with less strings. Most pieces don't require simultaneous access to all parts of even a 21-stringed instrument's range. Improvisers, songwriters, and those looking to push the instrument beyond its historic bounds may find a lot of worth in an instrument like this one, but until such compositions become mainstream I wouldn't expect the string count on the average guzheng to increase.

Source: ChineseZither.net storefront. Used with permission.

ZhengJ BNovember 29, 2017Modern, String VariantComment

36-String Guzheng

Are 26 too-few strings? Then you are in luck, because one maker produced 36-string guzhengs! I don't have too much information on this, other than to say, it is huge.

Originally sighted in 2008, I know of at least one sighting in 2013.

Source: GuzhengForum.com, used with permission.

ZhengJ BNovember 29, 2017Modern, String VariantComment

Electric Guzheng!

First invented in 2011 by the Shenzen Meideal Music Instruments Company, this is the only electronic guzheng currently produced. The informative Eason Music store in Singapore did a brief impression of it back in 2011. It's been a few years and it's making its way into more stores. This picture is from the 2015 Chinese Music trade show/ expo in Shanghai. Meideal maintains a spec sheet on their website.

This works on similar principles to an electric guitar. Played without amplification it's reportedly very quiet, making it an interesting prospect for those who need to practice more than their family or neighbors can stand. Then plug it in and you get the sound level you'd expect.

Unfortunately I have not played one of these personally so I don't know what range of customization it might have.

If you're looking for just amplification you could of course put a mic system inside an acoustic guzheng, but that would not allow you to quiet the instrument, nor, presumably, modify the output.

I look forward to playing this one day!

Image Source: ChineseZither Facebook Used with permission.

ZhengJ BNovember 29, 2017Modern, Other VariantComment

4-by-Butterfly Zheng

The 4-By-Butterfly: for the guzheng ensemble that wants to add that extra flair.

Seen at the 2008 Music China event, the annual Music instrument trade fair and expo held in Shanghai every fall. It was made by the Dunhuang company. I've seen pictures of this from 2010 as well; I have the impression it's been on display several times over the years.

Source: Eason Music. Used under Fair Dealing provisions of Singapore Law.

ZhengJ BNovember 29, 2017Novelty, Other VariantComment

Piano Zheng

Don't have enough space for a grand piano but still desire a beautifully impressive instrument? Look no further because here is the one-of-a-kind piano zheng! Well, really, it's a guzheng that sort of... fell into an empty piano... but it's still quite a sight to see!

Seen at Music China 2013, the annual Music instrument trade fair and expo held in Shanghai every fall.

Source: Guzheng Forum Used with permission.

ZhengJ BNovember 29, 2017Novelty, Other VariantComment