Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 71

Thread: Waldzither...

  1. #1
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Waldzither...

    Given the recent interest in stuff Waldzither, I thought to start a new thread. I've had two, this "super spiffy" one with the scrolled peghead, restoration courtesy of our very own Jake Wildwood:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCN0192.jpg 
Views:	387 
Size:	178.3 KB 
ID:	103262Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCN0194.jpg 
Views:	349 
Size:	160.7 KB 
ID:	103263
    and my present trusty first one, their less ornate but still very very cool model (check out that binding):
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	waldzither2.jpg 
Views:	337 
Size:	159.7 KB 
ID:	103264

    I've had both tuned GDAeb, with the G being single-stringed, and they are splendid that way. A unique and somewhat "medieval" sound. Anybody else?

    MK
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	waldzitherbinding.jpg 
Views:	258 
Size:	189.5 KB 
ID:	103268  

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Markkunkel For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User MonicaJacobson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    22

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Whoa! That binding is crazy. The headstock on your previous one is really nice, too. I wouldn't mind having one with that detail. Not at all. Have you done any recordings with the one you have?

  4. #3
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by MonicaJacobson View Post
    Have you done any recordings with the one you have?
    Well, this:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P__UC0Z-YTQ

    captures the sound and "vibe" pretty nicely.

    MK

  5. #4
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    and this:



    MK

  6. #5
    Registered User MonicaJacobson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    22

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Ah, both of those are some of our favorite tunes. Cunla was one of the first tunes I ever learned on the mandolin. I want to pair Waldzither and mandolin to play Planxty's Follow Me Up to Carlow with Marty. I suppose that's a Waldzither in Planxty's "As I Roved Out"? I unfortunately haven't been able to find older version, my favorite version, on youtube. You've probably heard it, actually. The one with lots of active mandolin and bouzouki (or Waltzither, I'm now guessing).

    Anyway, I'm rambling. Suffice it to say that after listening to how amazing those celtic tunes sounds on your Waldzither (your playing doesn't hurt either!) I'm getting really excited about Marty finishing ours!

  7. #6

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Cool stuff, Mark! Just found this cool video of Andy playing his waldzither, only one on youtube that I could find. I got an octave mandolin several years ago when I didn't have a shop and was trying to get that kind of sound, and whether strung in unison or octaves, it never got the same sound.


  8. #7

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    I have a Waldzither strung as a mandola that I keep in Ireland for when I visit - it was restored by Dave Hynds and he gave it a Celtic 'Look'...
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	!BPw1MQwBGk~$(KGrHgoH-EQEjlLlbinfBJ1RCerwzg~~_1.JPG 
Views:	264 
Size:	13.0 KB 
ID:	103289  
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  9. #8
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Tavistock UK
    Posts
    4,438

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Might as well throw mine in as well, not as pretty as Mark's, tuned DGDAE with the low D being just a drone really, 50cm scale:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	final-finish-100_3494.jpg 
Views:	286 
Size:	86.0 KB 
ID:	103303

    Before and after comparisons:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	compare-final-finish-100_3495.JPG 
Views:	294 
Size:	151.6 KB 
ID:	103301Click image for larger version. 

Name:	compare-final-finish-100_3501.jpg 
Views:	260 
Size:	84.9 KB 
ID:	103302

    Almost forgot this one as well, 43cm scale tuned GDAEB:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3645.JPG 
Views:	325 
Size:	295.7 KB 
ID:	103304Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3646.jpg 
Views:	304 
Size:	82.8 KB 
ID:	103305Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3664.JPG 
Views:	256 
Size:	104.4 KB 
ID:	103306

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Tavy For This Useful Post:


  11. #9
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Your work on that first one, Tavy, was part of what got me interested in them way back when. Pretty much your first "instrument restoration," if memory serves, and look at what you are doing now! Cool stuff...

  12. #10
    Registered User Martin Jonas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    North Wales
    Posts
    6,431

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Waldzithers are cool. I have two of them, both with conventional headstocks rather than the Preston-type key tuners (which were a marketing gimmick by Boehm rather than a traditional feature of Thuringian waldzithers). I have a 9-string from 1925, labelled Zimmermann (a major instrument distributor) and an unlabelled 10-string with a slightly shorter scale. Originally, the 10-string had a 2+2+2+2+1+1 configuration with one of the bass strings on the fretboard and the other free-swinging outside the neck (the original nut had a little extension protruding to the side for this extra bass). I've changed it to a conventional five double-string configuration which is less quirky but more practical.

    Normally, I tune the Zimmermann (G)DAEA and the 10-string CGDAE, although when I want to play in mandola tuning I sometimes change the Zimmermann to (F)CGDA. The two instruments sound quite different, the Zimmermann being warm, resonant and mellow and the 10-string more bright and nasal.

    Here are some 18th century English cittern duets by William Bates, played on my waldzithers:

    1) On the Zimmermann (both voices) -- Duettinos Nos. VII, VI and VIII:



    2) On the 10-string (both voices) -- Duettinos Nos. V and I:



    There are photos of the waldzithers in the clips as well as photos of 18th century English citterns (it should be obvious which is which).

    Martin

  13. #11
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Beautiful playing and beautiful instruments, Martin...thanks!

    MK

  14. #12
    Registered User MonicaJacobson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    22

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    That black one looks really snazzy... and Martin, it was really interesting to hear the 18th century music and comparison. Even my six year old was impressed.

  15. #13
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Tavistock UK
    Posts
    4,438

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Markkunkel View Post
    Your work on that first one, Tavy, was part of what got me interested in them way back when. Pretty much your first "instrument restoration," if memory serves, and look at what you are doing now! Cool stuff...
    Yep, it's been all downhill from there really...

  16. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Albany NY
    Posts
    2,065

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    nice tone on that - deep
    pretty cool looking as well

  17. #15

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    WZs are so cool. Having worked on a number of them, though, I really prefer the original "banjo" open C tuning on them to any mandolin-centric mod to them. It sounds lovely with that rich ringing big open chord sound and one can frail them, too... :D

  18. #16

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    p.s. I've never, ever, ever been able to get the original glass bridges on these guys to sound decent.

  19. #17

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    I have an old waldzither with a fancy head stock. same pick guard and binding. the head stock is a little plainer. just a curve without the full scroll. it has brazillian rosewood back sides and german spruce top. it's presently out for repair and restoration. I think it is worth repairing because of the woods. the top droped from the bracing coming lose. a few cracks. I look forward to it's return ready to go. I love the playing of andy Irvine and many others , on waldzithers. I noticed that Irvine usually strings them with just four courses and leaves he fifth single string courtse with no string. he did that with his early Portuguese guitar as well. he is a mandola guy. it's great to see great music made on odd ball instruments. now every one has handmade top quality stuff. some of the best recordings on youtube have paul brady playing a Yamaha guitar or a greek bouzouki, and Irvine with a greek bouzouki and a waldzither. there's even a duet with Irvine and mick hanly both playing waldzither.

  20. #18

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Wow! Mick's is a twin to Mark Kunkel's...


  21. #19
    Troglodyte Michael Weaver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Excelsior Springs, Missouri
    Posts
    538

    Default

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	image-2020075203.jpg 
Views:	224 
Size:	264.0 KB 
ID:	104289

    Wow!! I'm in love.......
    The Favs
    2013 Jacobson Nautilus #23 Semper Concinentī
    2007 Weber Custom Yellowstone
    2003 Gibson A9
    2013 Godin A8
    2007 Martin 000-18 Norman Blake #62 of 134
    2000 Heritage Millennium H-155

  22. #20
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Marty Jacobson View Post
    Wow! Mick's is a twin to Mark Kunkel's...
    alas, that my playing/singing were even a distant cousin! Ah well, off to practice.

    MK

  23. #21

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    That was great! Mick is a neighbour of mine back in Limerick.

  24. #22
    Registered User Markkunkel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Carrollton, GA
    Posts
    394

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy View Post
    That was great! Mick is a neighbour of mine back in Limerick.
    Limerick, eh? Hmmm...

    A Waldzither player, called Mick
    renowned for his playing (clean, slick)
    in tones dulcet and brawny
    lamented Annie and Johnny
    in a way far removed from stuff schtick.

    MK

  25. #23

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    I know two...

    There was a young man from Baku
    Who's Limerick stopped at line two

    AND...

    There was a young man from Verdun

  26. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Eddie Sheehy For This Useful Post:


  27. #24
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Quote Originally Posted by Tavy View Post
    Might as well throw mine in as well, not as pretty as Mark's, tuned DGDAE with the low D being just a drone really, 50cm scale:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	final-finish-100_3494.jpg 
Views:	286 
Size:	86.0 KB 
ID:	103303

    Before and after comparisons:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	compare-final-finish-100_3495.JPG 
Views:	294 
Size:	151.6 KB 
ID:	103301Click image for larger version. 

Name:	compare-final-finish-100_3501.jpg 
Views:	260 
Size:	84.9 KB 
ID:	103302

    Almost forgot this one as well, 43cm scale tuned GDAEB:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3645.JPG 
Views:	325 
Size:	295.7 KB 
ID:	103304Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3646.jpg 
Views:	304 
Size:	82.8 KB 
ID:	103305Click image for larger version. 

Name:	100_3664.JPG 
Views:	256 
Size:	104.4 KB 
ID:	103306
    Very nice instruments, for me as a thuringian I always feel a bit ashamed that I cant play a thuringian Waldzither

  28. #25

    Default Re: Waldzither...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cittern cetara 001.jpg 
Views:	270 
Size:	115.4 KB 
ID:	114603Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cittern cetara 001.jpg 
Views:	270 
Size:	115.4 KB 
ID:	114603

    I am trying to add the picture Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cittern cetara 001.jpg 
Views:	270 
Size:	115.4 KB 
ID:	114603Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cittern cetara 001.jpg 
Views:	270 
Size:	115.4 KB 
ID:	114603

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •