Waldzither Tuning

What is a waldzither

Not exactly a mandolin, but this old German instrument shares the same floating bridge technology, and I have restored a few. It was the origin, I believe, of the Irish bouzouki, after Andy Irvine brought one back from eastern Europe and re-tuned it. So, what is a waldzither........?

Hamburger Gallery

Thuringer Gallery

Bohm Gallery

Waldzither History


Piccolo	C'g'c''e''g''
Descant	gd'g'b'd	390mm
Tenor in D	dagf#a	450mm
Tenor in C	CEgec	460mm
Bass	Aeacis'e' (Gdgbd')

More about Waldzithers can be found on these links, though they are in German…..

http://www.waldzither.de http://www.studia-instrumentorum.de/MUSEUM/zistern.htm

Thuringer waldzither

Pluckthorn waldzither

Bohm waldzither

Becker waldzither

Preston tuners

See also John Maddocks Waldzither page on his restoration of the Pluckthorn above.

Certain waldzither accessoreis at the bottom of the page.

For restoration bits see the Restoration Parts Page

For bridges see here and here

Waldzither: scale length between 390-500mms
Tuning: Essentially, a waldzither looks like a bigger mandolin, with 4 double courses of strings, but with an extra bottom string, though it comes from a different instrumental root. The tenor version most often seen is traditionally tuned C gg c'c' e'e' g'g', from bottom up. When ordering strings it is important to note the size if you have a 'Bohm type', which has double-loop strings. Typically these strings are 650mm, so are too short for the longest scale lengths, and too long for the shortest.
Romana Thuringer	String gauge: .012 .015 023w .032w .045w silver wound. To suit scale length 450-460mm.
Romana Bohm	String length 655 mm: .010 .013 .020 .030w(.013core) .042w(.018core) bronze wound
Pyramid Strings:
Waldzither Family:
There are, as with most instruments, a whole family of waldzithers of different sizes, though there seems to no standardisation about the tuning of each, different old tutor books suggesting different alternatives. Tenor (450-460mm), but also found is the (cege'g') Descant (390mm), also known as a Bergmannszither or a Walddoline, (possibly tuned g - d' - a' - e'') Bass waldzither in A Piccolo was apparently tuned an octave above the tenor. A variety of tunings for the tenor waldzither have been suggested by Doc Rossi as follows; CGBEG EGBEG DGBEG DGBDG DGDCG CGCFG CGCDG GDADG ADADG all from the bottom up.
14 string Heym Waldzither: scale length around 408mm
Tuning: Essentially, a 14 string waldzither is triple course instrument, with 2 free bases. Traditionally in the C instrument tuned g'g' e'e' c'c' gg C, from top down.
I tuned this as a C instrument even though the scale length suggested it may have been a D version, mainly because of its age and fragility. It wasn't really clear whether the lower of each triple course was an octave down or not, and in the end I chose to tune simply, with triples the same octave, using a set and a half of thuringer strings.

Waldzither spares

If vintage mandolin spares are hard to find, then bits for waldzithers are next to impossible. I have found or make a limited selection as a result of restoring several of these instruments.

Tuning key

In aluminium, this fits square 4mm tuners, but check because there are different sizes.

£1.50

Brass Tuning Key

In aluminium, this fits square 4mm tuners, but check because there are different sizes.

£5

Tailpiece

I have a very small number of these. (Alternatively, a mandolin tail can be used, and strings doubled up.)

£15

Bespoke double-loop string sets

I can make up strings sets for any given length of waldzither. Bought sets (above) typically measure 65cms. and do not fit all zithers.

£30

John Pearse Loop Winder

A simple tool in brass, designed to ease the job of making your own double loop strings. This one is available from the States for around ??$ plus postage. I made my own version with a small modelling vice and wood.

To order bits, leave a message on the contact page and I will send you my direct email address to discuss your order, payment and postage. Item costs are exclusive of postage and packing.

Please see Payments Page for details of postage costs and payment options.

Some simple waldzither chords, assuming a tuning of c gg c'c' e'e' g'g'.



For those of you who know more about musical theory than me, this site may provide extra insights into chording: http://www.waldzither.de/dat/noten.htm (but it is mostly in German)