Böhm Waldzither sound with glasbridge?

[poul hansen]

1. I'm looking at a Böhm Waldzither with glasbridge It has rusty not in tune strings but I tried a few and they "shimmer" as if the string hits part of the glass bridge and I wonder if this is a normal sound or even intentional.

The strings don't touch the frets and the glassbridge looks undamaged with a shap edge.

2. I'm also looking for a tuning key

3. Any cheap source for strings?

[HonketyHank]

I have a Boehm with a glass bridge. I tune it GCGDA. The glass bridge does give a "zingy" tone. I also made an ebony bridge that makes the tone more mellow. You'll probably end up making your own double ended strings from singles or mandola sets. For a tuning key Google search for info on european clock key sizes, then look on ebay.

[poul hansen]

***UPDATE***
1. regarding the "shimmer" tone: The 2 empty tuners were vibrating

[poul hansen]

I have a Boehm with a glass bridge. I tune it GCGDA. The glass bridge does give a "zingy" tone. I also made an ebony bridge that makes the tone more mellow. You'll probably end up making your own double ended strings from singles or mandola sets. For a tuning key Google search for info on european clock key sizes, then look on ebay.

I have been contemplating to make my own, seing prices of 40 euro plus shipping, for a set!

Would you have specs, links to suitable strings for 65cm length for DIY?

[Marien]

1. I'm looking at a Böhm Waldzither with glasbridge... I would replace it for an ebony bridge for a mellower sound

2. I'm also looking for a tuning key... depends on the measure, how about checking a clock maker?

3. Any cheap source for strings?

.... I used d'addario EJ80 octave mandolin set for the lower strings, and added a .010 or .009 string pair for the high notes.

[Marien]

.... I used d'addario EJ80 octave mandolin set for the lower strings, and added a .010 or .009 string pair for the high notes.

Paul, in addition, it also depends on the following two things which strings to use: firstly, tuning and scale (obviously).
Secondly, the kind of tuning pegs. If it has an ordinary mandolin tuning pegs, you can use the d'addario strings (or other strings with a loop end on one side). If you have a tuning system like on a portuguese guitar, you can possibly buy strings for a a Portuguese Guitar, depending on the required string length...

[poul hansen]

Thank You. I might just fix it up and sell on. To much hassle and costs. Strings and a key will cost me as much as the instrument itself. AND I have to learn playing in a new tuning!