Multi-tonic Zheng 多聲弦制箏
Multi-tonic Zheng 多聲弦制箏

The Multi-tonic Zheng 多聲弦制箏 (Duō shēng xián zhì zhēng) or Duō shēng zhēng for short (多聲箏) seems to have been made in 2011 by Professor Lǐ Méng (李萌), though my sources are not good.. It's effectively two zhengs combined; there are 21 strings tuned to the diatonic scale for the right side, with 16 additional strings tuned to the pentatonic scale on the left side. The range of the two sides is roughly the same, with the 21-stringed side having a deeper A and the 16 string has a higher D. The one in the picture is from manufacturer Dunhuang, model number 697-1.

Source: Taiwanese store stmusic.com.tw.

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ZhengJ BExpandedComment
C-Bridge
C-Bridge

This is an 18 Steel string guzheng from instrument brand JinYun. It features straight steel and wound copper strings and that sweeping C-Bridge at the tail. I have seen a similar, 21 and 23-string instruments made by the same maker with nylon strings.

Google is throwing security warnings when I try to visit their website, so I won't link directly to them from here. But you can see their url in the photo and I can tell you that the product numbers are:

  • 18 strings - 01157
  • 21 strings - 01018B
  • The 23-string instrument was reportedly a limited edition; I saw one for sale in California but could not find a product number.
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ZhengJ BModern, Bridge VariantComment
Split Bridge
Split Bridge

Made by manufacturer JinYun, this one has 21 nylon strings- and most notably, the fixed bridge at the tail is split into four separate bridges. It mimics the different lengths of string the S-bridge creates, but (I assume) has a different set of tradeoffs. I have yet to see the difference this choice makes first hand. If you have any experience with one of these instruments, please email me! I have also seen the tail bridge in three parts, so please don't think four is the only way to go.

From manufacturer JinYun. Google is raising security alerts when I visit their website so I won't link directly, but this one's product number is 01118. 

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ZhengJ BModern, Bridge VariantComment
26-String Guzheng
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.

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ZhengJ BModern, String VariantComment