474 RSW A German Zither

Weißt du, wie man eine Zither spielt? translated "Do you know how to play a Zither?"
Caleb: "No not really! Wait what's a Zither?"
Caleb helps breathe new life in this 100 year old Zither!
Support: / rosastringworks
Website: www.rosastring...

[@autochrome1234]

Very disappointed - I only tuned into this video to hear atonal accordion music which I and another person in the US appreciate. Apparently Jerry feels only playing atonal accordion he might take a small decrease in subscribers. Good video otherwise. )

[@ferdberffle]

Happy Easter to you guys. Caleb, to tackle something that far out of your wheelhouse, and succeed, says a lot about you. Good work!

[@briankientz2926]

I've seen zithers, I've heard them played, I've even had hands on one once. I have never been asked to service one, and thankfully never had to replace the strings or tune one! You are one up on me Caleb! Good work, and try never to loose the moxy it takes to tackle the new and unusual. Happy Easter, and God Bless!!!

[@tamsinlouisadungey3643]

awesome young man... 10/10 for having a go to play it!!

[@corriecrazy]

Beautiful job, Caleb! It reminded me of when I was a little child and my father brought home a record (a 78 rpm!) of George Formby singing "Come Hither with Your Zither". lol It's the first time I've ever seen and heard one, though. Thanks for the memory! Keep up the great work.

[@toddmarshall7573]

Saw one of these on Ebay for $58. So if this is an important piece, might want to practice on someone's junk. Tools abound on Amazon.

[@richardcooksey1600]

Well done...another piece of history restored.

[@kthwkr]

Pull your hair back into a pony tail and put it under your hat when using a torch.

[@dscdrkel5546]

BETTER YET **GET A HAIR CUT.***DR KEL

[@charlesheidkamp9766]

thank you caleb

[@joelhill4107]

Playing a Zither would have me in a dither too!! Good job though Caleb!

[@euhdink4501]

No no NO NO! Don't! These things are thrown at your head in EU, for free, mostly irrepairable, very expensive strings .... ok, I'll watch the whole video now. :-) ...... ok, if one can/wants to pay for the work + the strings ....

[@arnoldmmbb]

Just string and tunne it seems crazy work and probably not cheap

[@nfijef]

Hey Caleb! You've earned your Wheaties!! HappyEaster though I'm sure you did the work before:) Attack the back and that dern crack!! Beautiful work brother!

[@Flapjackbatter]

That is not what pliers are for. You find a tool that fits, and is closed all the way around. I don't know what they are called in English. Sockets?

[@danburrill8716]

The right tool is almost certainly a square socket of some kind (probably similar to a radiator bleed key). In the absence of one of those, a set of padded pliers (which is what he was using), should do the job without damaging the tuning pegs. Sometimes you've got to use what you've got, and go carefully.

[@waynedavies3185]

Note; A piano tuning tool will not work on a Zither/autoharp. Tuning pegs are of a different size. Even a drum-head tuning key, will not fit. You need a proper Auto-harp tuning tool.

[@dickieadcock]

If you have worked on many things you know sometimes you have to do with you have. In Caleb's defense he did use plastic jawed pliers.

[@waynedavies3185]

@@dickieadcock I'm not knocking anyone, my friend. If a set of vise-grips do the job, so be it, as long as it gets tuned up to the right pitch.

[@birdy356]

nice, next one is full size harp, I think ;-)

[@jthonn]

Don't get in a dither, just play your zither! Nice job!

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Where's Anton Karas when you need him ? Well done Caleb !

[@antonsworldofvideos8096]

Wow another case of irony regarding this video. My Channel is called Antons World of Videos.. Anton is my son and my name is Kara!!!! WTF???

[@larryfisher7056]

First heard Anton Karas on the "The Third Man" theme years ago. I wondered if anyone would mention him.

[@quincemothman]

Actually, Anton Karas didn't play this type of instrument. He played the concert zither and would never have played the ( fretless ) chord zither like Celeb's. In the opening scene of the movie -The Third Man- we see the zither but the fretboard is hidden out of shot probably because the opening music was recorded separately so it wasn't actually being played. the strings that you see moving are being struck randomly just for affect.

[@keninnis1]

WOW..GOOD LUCK you will need it...I doubt that even Jerry will be stumped...ha ha Happy Easter

[@billmumbo2697]

The tuning key is almost identical to the one's used by piano tuners , autoharps are also similar.👍 Well done.

[@waynedavies3185]

Note; A piano tuning tool will not work on a Zither/autoharp. Tuning pegs are of a different size. Even a drum-head tuning key, will not fit. You need a proper Auto-harp tuning tool.

[@billmumbo2697]

Most old instruments vary my pal Henry has an old autoharp which we tuned with an old radiator bleed key bodger(sorry adapted) by my cousin Pete(nickname dangerous because he never took any risks) it's no good for radiators anymore but it worked try tuning an auto harp even with a chromatic tuner and our band's pianist. Long job ,long time ago and all for a romantic intro to a daft song Lol 👍

[@waynedavies3185]

@@billmumbo2697 .. interesting. If it works, and fits snuggly, so be it. I have both a harp tuning tool, and a special brass key made for my old 1930 harp. Both are the same size, and fit properly on all my harps. Thanks for the post.

[@billmumbo2697]

I've seen tuning keys that are oval and even triangular it's a big world full.of wonderful diverse music long may stay that way my friend. 🤞 Ps sorry for the occasional mispel predictive text and sausage fingers (that's my excuse !)

[@waynedavies3185]

@@billmumbo2697... I have seen triangular ones also, but haven't seem them in years. Near forgot about them., but you are right.

[@ingridrobert1975]

You repaired the instrument very well. It really is a very beautiful zither. I play a 6-chord zither by Musima (now Hopf) and I love this instrument. Playing it gives me so much relaxation and joy.

[@johnkohlhauff9061]

Great Job really enjoy watching you work on instruments!!

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Well done, Caleb! Zithers and lyres and bowed psalteries and such usually all use the same kind of tuning peg. And they are a real pain to tune. That took a lot of patience. Last luthier I asked wouldn't touch my bowed psaltery because he didn't want to have to tune the strings...

[@davestambaugh7282]

It says guitar zither right on it however I would never call it a guitar zither because it does not have a fret board like every other guitar zither that I have seen before.

[@IDCrish]

Hi, Do you have any guides for teh strings? I Have an old one and would like to change them, but can get teh sizes. I would like to sue guitar strings, not to invest to much.

[@jeffreyharville1918]

If you haven't already seen it: go on KZbin and search up "Etienne de Lavaulx" "Vivaldi Largo played on a 6-chord Zither" you will see an old friend!

[@BC-fy1wn]

I believe that type of Zither is played with a plectrum which allows the business end of the plectrum to hook the strings,and their is a Baroque style of playing a similar Middle Eastern harp with a paddle-like plectrum.I do not have a translation for that style of music making.Great job it looks nearly brand new. Stay well all. Doc BC

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Excellent work, Caleb! Happy Easter!

[@thomastommy1192]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. Stay well and safe my friends. I hope you all had a blessed Easter Sunday.

[@missioncreekfarm7715]

Lenzner in Germany makes and sells Zither strings. Just ordered two full sets, one of 45 strings, another of 41 and have yet another set to order for another Zither I just bought that need restoring as well, so yeah lots of strings. The strings will cost more than the instrument, that is for sure. But it is a cool instrument when it's put back together and strung and tuned properly.

[@jeffreykettler6310]

Just saw a video, looks like the left hand plays chords, right hand picks out notes, interesting

[@kevinabbott2671]

Nice Job,keep moving forward in your repair work,Remember something learned no one can take from you.

[@MrSonofsonof]

I've seen a ton of zithers at flea markets and in junk shops, and the backs are always split.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Nope. I'm not going to complain about changing 8 strings ever again.

[@donaldjones3580]

Great Work Caleb. One question, some strings are real close together, is that by design or just not adjusted completely yet?

[@costrio]

Great song, Jerry! Somtimes the double speed segments are the best, even when interrupted by the topic?

[@jeffreyharville1918]

the finish on this zither is prob "India Ink" , that blueish black looks very much like that. If you wish to find some "Hobby Lobby" has it in stock, (as least here in ours), but you will have to show ID as they sell it like whiskey, you will need to be "legal" age. (I have been told that they have to do that because people use it as a tattoo ink and it is not the best for tatts.)

[@FromEurope]

The third man thème was played with Zither. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKCopIqfbZ2ErJI

[@32251]

The strings at the bottom....Should also have no windings correct? That is the way they were originally. I cant see how anyone would invest this much money into a zither when these can be had all day for a LOT less than this repair. Hard to figure, BUT.....you got the work done and made that money!

[@willemkossen]

Very interesting to see this. I have a 6chord zither and occasionally play it. Its fun to play these, but quite hard to get right. Im going to watch now;)

[@willemkossen]

Good job on the repair. Its playable again. You should play it laying it down on your lap or on a table. Then you can use both hands. Usially you would use thumb picks. One hand to play the chords, the other for melody. There is special notation for these that help you learn pieces. It probably came with some of that originally. There are a few videos on youtube of people playing these, but you have to really search for it. Its fun to play. The real challenge is damping the strings while playing.

[@daryllossing1340]

Great job Caleb. I love hearing you thinking out loud! Keep em coming

[@Furtheronmusic]

Great job

[@jordancooper1944]

just picked one up from a pawnshop in similar condition where did you order the strings from?

[@randywalker1925]

I have the same exact zither that I got from my mother about 25 years ago I had to restore the back as well you're right it was quite the puzzle to put back together but it was fun thanks for this video

[@quincemothman]

Hi Caleb, you done a nice job but I hate to say this. It's not realy a true zither its a type of psaltery. These were cheaply mass produced and intended for those with little musical ability as they were relatively easy to play using printed diagrams you slipped under the strings which had dots and numbers to tell you what strings to play with a given tune. It's not to be confused with the concert zither that Anton karas played. ( people always confuse the two ) The concert zither is a completely different instrument with totally different strings and they are built by skilled craftsmen using high grade woods and veneers . They have a fret board and are very difficult to learn to play, The mountain dulcimer incidentally is closely related to the concert zither. Also, I'm afraid to say you got the wrong strings, they are concert zither strings and won't work. You can get chord zither strings also from Germany ( All steel bronze ). Just specify the number of chords and whether the melody strings are single or double courses. Don't just say zither, in Germany they will take that as meaning the concert zither as they don't recognise the chord zither as being a proper zither ( or serious instrument for that matter ) and that's why they sent you the wrong strings. Chord zithers can produce an amazing sound though, I play one myself ( with pickup ) as well as the concert zither. I hope this info is useful to you if, in the future you get another one to repair. You can get strings for either type of zither from Horst Wunsche in Germany, they build beautiful concert zithers too. Keep up the good work, Gareth in the UK.

[@davidlewis3169]

Your a very talented young man.

[@costrio]

That wood looks very dry. Did it shrink from lack of humidity?

[@costrio]

The word is out, "zither and yon" that Caleb is adaptable?

[@garrysshelton]

Maybe that gap in the middle could use a strip of (whatever it's called), 'Perfling'??

[@DrGeek01]

OH MY GOSH!! Caleb, what a coincidence! I got a 1920’s zither in for resto made for Manufacturer’ Advertising Co. of NJ. (46 string) Thank you for the ‘heating of the strings’ tip!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 And a fine resto you did on that zither! 💕

[@costrio]

First time I ever heard Simon & Garfunkel on a Zither?

[@costrio]

Opening intro was very well done, IMHO.

[@that_thing_I_do]

Coming late to the zither party but that was a challenge ; nice work Caleb.

[@derekkennedy7346]

Caleb another awesome job I memorized watching your videos I tell you boy you are good at what you do there's a lot of other people doing these videos and I cannot stand watching them do it but you it's just awesome to watch you work so keep up the great work and you're awesome

[@davidtharp6790]

Very impressive Caleb. Who’d a thought about a zither! Looks like putting that many strings on anything would take a week or two.

[@deormanrobey892]

There is a tool known as a tuning hammer, although zithers/autoharps usually come with a wrench. Either way once strung up, fine tuning is done by gently bumping the handle so you're not just twisting the pins.

[@waynedavies3185]

Note; A piano tuning tool will not work on a Zither/autoharp. Tuning pegs are of a different size. Even a drum-head tuning key, will not fit. You need a proper Auto-harp tuning tool.

[@voidmaelstrom]

@@waynedavies3185 There is also a standard clock key the exact fit as the zither wrench...of course, wind-up clocks are even rarer these days than zithers-but since I use zither pins on my lightweight traveling dulcimers a clock key tied onto the shoulder strap is my go-to adjuster.

[@waynedavies3185]

@@voidmaelstrom ... Never tried a clock key, so I can't speak for them. Most-likely, there are various sizes of clock keys, and one size might fit. All I know is neither drum keys, or piano keys fit properly. They are too large to fit the harp tuning post. I have both, so I know. I forgot to mention, some thread dies, that cut threads into metal, might also fit the harp keys. They are square, and can be tightened to a smaller size, in order to grip the cutting thread die bit.

[@bobl2995]

Great job Caleb 👍

[@mushroomsamba82]

I always see these around at yard sales as my area had a large number of German immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century. My own family had one even though that side of the family had already been living in the US for a few generations.... never actually seen one in person that wasn't completely roached.

[@michmvp]

Clock winding key for the strings.

[@monasticbacon1972]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@leelossi1257]

Keep up the great work Caleb. Nice video

[@Murgledoo]

Great job! I’m always glad to see how you approach repairs and don’t rush things anymore then is necessary

[@dennisyounkin644]

Happy Easter Everyone!! Love the opening!!! Great Job Caleb!!

[@daveogarf]

NICE JOB, Caleb!

[@alangknowles]

And the accordion you promised?

[@rickmclain62]

Great work I'm impressed

[@valearl4693]

Good job!

[@jeffgrier8488]

Now that's an interesting piece, and alot of strings! Nice job on this one Caleb!

[@thegreatwhitemoose1582]

Zither tuners are like 4$ on amazon .

[@sewing1243]

Next for Caleb should be an AutoHarp.

[@raymari7658]

Did you put a drop of oil on the tuning pegs ?

[@Archer838]

Good work. Enjoyed the video

[@plumiegirl47]

It looks likes a small piano. I am still learning on a regular guitar lol

[@wadehampton1534]

I've been gifted an old Oscar Schmitt Autoharp, and it has very old strings on it. I've been procrastinating putting on a new set, and now I know why! It doesn't look like a very fun process, but I will put on my string changing hat, and get it done. Good tip on removing the string windings so that it fits into the hole. I'll remember that. Thanks, Caleb, you did a bang up job on it!

[@guitarstella1]

i just boght the same,i was going to change strings,some strings he put on melody side have winding that cant be right,how did you get on where did you buy what are they called,arfter a few days searching i realise there a lack of info online

[@rb032682]

Drum keys usually work for a tuning tool.

[@georgeearls3338]

I was hoping for a chorus of wildwood flower. Good job and good video.

[@ianshortall3356]

Nice work Caleb :)

[@johnnygeejr500]

nice work I have one but I never seen it played well done !

[@stevenedwards4470]

Was part of the label on the inside missing? Or was it peeled up to the side? Did the middle piece line up on both sides? Maybe the thing kind of bent up into itself to make that crack. I mean are you sure it was missing that thin strip? That thing looks worse than a 12 string to deal with. 😆

[@RosaStringWorks]

The label was damaged and a lot of it was missing.

[@mikepower4113]

Nice work Caleb

[@peterhendry2154]

My family had one just like that but the end cover came round over the bottom of the strings and no feet so you could play it like a guitar rather than that one which is meant to be played horizonlaly while on a table so you can play chords with one hand and pick with tha other.

[@dscdrkel5546]

Peter**- the proper fix would be to run a router bit down the back for a straight grove for the filler strip. ***DR KEL

[@tedsmith4353]

Good job young man.

[@63vetteman]

Nice job Caleb!!

[@williamlee6358]

Thank you sir

[@chucktripp5722]

Good job kid keep it up

[@darkomtobia]

Very cool intro and nice work as always.

[@demantoid418]

Sweet 🤟😝

[@kevinsnyder4425]

Great video Caleb ! You made that zither look & play good. I have one called a mandolin harp, made by Oscar Shmidt in 1916, Panama Canal edition. It has 36 strings & came with the tuner, instruction book & original bill of sale, in the original box.! Cost 7.50 when new ! Paid 5 bucks at a yard sale. I hope to get it playable soon. Keep up the great work, Caleb !

[@francisdasta8646]

Seems like there would be something similar to a drum key to loosen up the strings.

[@waynedavies3185]

Note; A piano tuning tool will not work on a Zither/autoharp. Tuning pegs are of a different size. Even a drum-head tuning key, will not fit. You need a proper Auto-harp tuning tool.

[@dscdrkel5546]

@@waynedavies3185**** Tuning socket is shaped like a 8 pointed star used for tuning*** psaltery"s ** Kantels **Zither and hammered dulcimers*** order from www.folkcraft.com/collections/folkcraft-custom-series-dulcimers***DR KEL

[@RosaStringWorks]

As you saw in the video, I made a special key. The posts were oval in shape.

[@francisdasta8646]

@@RosaStringWorks Sorry it's hard to tell watching the video on my phone

[@waynedavies3185]

@@RosaStringWorks .. Now that's very unusual ????? Not a whole lot of grip. My 1930's harp has square tuning pegs. You get far better grip, specially if the tuning pegs are very tight. Anyways, that's interesting to know.

[@AmosBHaven]

Being the age I am, I recognized the intro tune from the git go. It "sounded" almost like it was being played on a harpsichord. But, reckon a zither played properly would more n likely sound like a harpsichord, as they are both plucked instruments. Anyways, good job Caleb! (now I'll go back and relisten to the intro again....lol)

[@willmorrison1022]

Okay, now I've learned more about the zither than I've ever known before. Thanks for the education. I always wondered HOW one played those, I never knew that half the strings were set for chord work. We had a really cheap melody only one when I was a kid, but no one in the family ever got any good on it. Now I wonder what ever happened to that thing. Probably in a landfill, somewhere. I've seen dozens of these over the years, but never thought much about them beyond "Oh, there's one of those goofy things, again". Now, after having heard one in your intro, it's a much more interesting sound than I thought. Neat! Good job as always, Caleb. BTW, don't leave Jerry too soon. There is a LOT of knowledge to pick up on there, make use of it as long as you can. Don't leave school too early!

[@bruceducker2029]

Always something interesting coming into the RSW shop. I played an autoharp in high school, which was basically a chord machine, but you could do a lot with it. Good Job Caleb. Keep it up.

[@joanarling]

Great job! I must admit, my first thought was you were stuck in April, 1st... Anyway, if it's of interest, these instruments mostly come from the Alpine region, and the correct pronunciation is "Tsitter". To hear one playing (probably not the same model) listen to the "Harry Lime Theme" from the movie The Third Man (1949).

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

That was an amazing sound track.. the entire film's music played on the instrument. It is said that in pre-production, the director and Orson were out drinking and heard the performer on zither.. and were so taken, they rngaged him to come to London to compose and play the music sound track. It launched a many year traveling performing career, that he really disliked, but earned enough on tour to return to his home town and buy a home.

[@robertshorthill4153]

Yes, twitter is the correct pronunciation. Mike Seager sang a song called "Little Moses" on a recording, but that may have been an autoharp -- a related instrument. They all have a sweet sound. Good job getting this sweet ol' gal up to snuff. Bob

[@robertshorthill4153]

Tsitter, that is. ( Derned spell check caught me there). Germans don't do the "th" sound. ( Twitter is something one "tweets", I guess) Imagine talking about twittering and tweets back in the '60s -- people would have thought you'd have gone off yer nut!!!

[@waynedavies3185]

Note; ...... "Don't purchase a piano tuning tool" to adjust the tuning on an auto-harp. They are the wrong size to do the job. Buy a proper Auto-harp tuning tool. If you buy the other, you'll be wasting your money. Might add, a drum-head tuning key won't fit either. The Auto-harp pegs are smaller in size than either a piano, or a drum tuning tool.

[@RosaStringWorks]

I made the key specifically for this zither and it worked fine

[@waynedavies3185]

@@RosaStringWorks I saw what you made, if it works, great. Some "tap and die" sets, sold at hardware stores, like "Home Depot", have "T" shaped keys to hold onto the threading taps, while making threads into metal, that are finger adjustable enough to fit over the tuning pegs ends tightly, and not slip. They make excellent tuning keys for both Zithers, autoharps, and pianos, that fit very tight on the tuning pegs. I know, as I have one here for my set of Tap and dies, which I now also use on my 4 harps for tuning. I could also use the same key for tuning drum heads as well, and the end is adjustable for tightness against the tuning peg sides. On another note, about 3 weeks ago, I bought a damaged 15 bar autoharp, that had been damaged when it fell. Not only were parts damaged on the face of the harp, but also the back got cracked, and caved inward a bit, leaving a very small wrap in the back plate. I looked around and found an old damaged concert guitar head with tuners still on it, and decided to use that head to make the repair, and draw that wrap back out as well as fill, and re-glue the crack. I plan on drilling a very small hole, the size of either an "E' string, or "B" string of a guitar through the crack itself, and push the wire through the back, and into the inside of the harp. I'll tie a cleat to the end of that wire at the sound hole, and draw the cleat, in and under the cracked area on the inside, using the wire and concert guitar head tuners like a squeezing vise, to apply good solid pressure from both the inside, as well as from the outside, that will take that warp completely right out of the back, and flatten it back out to normal again, as well as add strength to the glue filled crack on the inside. Once set, and dried, take the wire out, and fill the very tiny guitar wire string holes with wood putty, cosmetically touch-up everything, stain to match rest of the harp's surface, and polish. I'll use the tuners of the concert guitar head, to wind, and apply all the pressure needed to apply pressure to both a cleat, which will flatten the wrap, as well as seal the glued crack, tightly shut from both the inside, and out side of the harp. It should work quite well. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

[@stuartdrakley2106]

It would be good if you could find someone who could play it for demonstration purposes. Good job Caleb, you're a credit to Jerry.

[@StephenJStephen_Photography]

Well done Caleb.

[@michaels.8663]

Nice job Caleb!

[@mattfleming2287]

Man, you sure are getting the best apprenticeship ever! Great job! Nothing teaches patience than tuning up an old instrument....and that one has them all beat! I think you’re doing a wonderful job on both the instruments and the videos. Bravo, young sir!

[@edwardpetersen4309]

The pegs tune with a piano tuners wrench. They are readily available. Great job, Caleb.

[@ralphnorman4636]

I have heard OF zithers but never seen or heard one. THANK YOU for leting me see this.

[@kevincozens6837]

This was a different type of instrument to see come in to the shop. Those original strings looked like they were so old they were just totally black from age and rust. I saw signs of a label in the zither. It would have been interesting to see a close up of it to see what it said.