Meideal Clip Tuner T83Z

This is a simple clip tuner designed for the guzheng and guqin. Produced by Meideal, a company that got started in 2008 producing clip tuners for guitars, the T83Z provides exactly what you need to tune these instruments without getting lost in bells and whistles. Usage is straightforward: power it on, set the tuning mode and key you are using, clip it to your instrument and pluck away. The screen glows orange by default then changes to a dramatic green when your pitch is correct. Online retailers in China have it for the incredibly low price of $3 USD.

ReviewJ BJuly 10, 2018TunerComment

"Finger Training" tool - avoid

This is something you should not buy. It and products like it are advertised as 'Finger Training' or 'Strengthening' tools. In reality they are a waste of money. The concept is fine: create something that mimics a small section of the guzheng so a student can practice technique when away from their instrument. The interpretation is heavily flawed.

AccessoryJ BMarch 28, 2018Finger Practice Tool ScamComment

53" Travel-Sized Guzheng

Let's take a look at a Travel-Sized guzheng. This particular one is a 53" Sound of China-brand guzheng made in China and sold in the US. Its frame is listed as generic "rosewood" which means it could be any number of woods. The bridges are nonstandard; rather than the rosewood bridges sold with the instrument, this particular instrument has had its bridges swapped for African Blackwood bridges.

ZhengJ BMarch 28, 2018Travel-sizedComment

36" Baby Guzheng

Here's an adorable example of a Baby Guzheng, photographs courtesy of Rebecca L. Coming in at just 36 inches (~91cm) this tiny instrument has 21 strings packed onto it for a full 4 octaves of coverage. It's about as wide as a full-sized guzheng, but about 43% shorter. The string spacing is close to that of a full-sized instrument, but the tensions in the strings and overall timbre are affected by its length.

ZhengJ BMarch 22, 2018BabyComment

Full-sized, S-Bridge, 21 Nylon Strings

This here is a modern, full-sized guzheng with 21 nylon-coated steel strings, with the bass strings wound in copper. The fixed bridge on the right is straight while the one on the left is curved into an S. The tuning pins are in a compartment at the head of the instrument. The tail is where the strings are anchored.

ZhengJ BMarch 22, 2018Full-sizedComment