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Dahu
Oct 18, 2009 20:19:37 GMT
Post by davidbadagnani on Oct 18, 2009 20:19:37 GMT
Hi everyone, I've just gotten an antique dahu from an eBay seller in Beijing (he didn't know anything about it other than that "it is too old"). I'm guessing it's a lower-end folk model from around the 1960s. It seems to have goat skin rather than snakeskin, and the strings that came with it are too thin--they acually appear to be strands of unwound bicycle brake cable, both of the same diameter. And it didn't come with a bridge, either. I think it's going to sound good with cello strings, with the problem being that regular cello strings aren't long enough to reach the topmost peg. www.flickr.com/photos/8442333@N05/I have a question: a few years ago I think someone posted a photo, as a curiosity, of a Chinese music ensemble from Taiwan, maybe from an LP cover from the 1960s. As I recall there were a whole bunch of huge huqins larger than the zhonghu, covering the tenor, bass, and contrabass register. (The photo didn't include the 4-stringed gehu.) These instruments are so rare today I'd love to get a copy of that photo, but a thorough search of the archives didn't turn it up. Does anyone happen to have that photo on their computer or know where to find it?
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Dahu
Oct 18, 2009 23:17:55 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Oct 18, 2009 23:17:55 GMT
Would this be the photo you are looking for? As you can see, I save everything. <g> Congratulations on your dahu, David. If you had not mentioned that the skin was goat, I would have guess it was of wood. Cool. Best wishes, David
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Dahu
Oct 18, 2009 23:31:31 GMT
Post by davidmdahl on Oct 18, 2009 23:31:31 GMT
I saw what I suppose was a dahu at Clarion Music in San Francisco several years ago. I don't remember the skin, but I suppose it was snake. The body was smaller than your danu, David. The strings appeared to be silk. I was not impressed with the musical capabilities, although it could be better with some adjustments to the instrument and plenty of practice.
I am surprised that cello strings are not long enough for your dahu. What about double-bass strings? Would the G string be two fat?
Best wishes,
David
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Dahu
Oct 19, 2009 13:12:17 GMT
Post by sanmenxia on Oct 19, 2009 13:12:17 GMT
These are two photos from ezfolk.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=6916&forum_id=50Large huqin from 1970s, shop in SE Asia: Large huqin, same shop in SE Asia in 1980s, member of NY Philharmonic Orch: I've put the photos here because you have to register before you can view attached pics on that forum.
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