Sanxian skin repair?

[apsumusician]

Hi, I have a friend who's antique store is selling a sanxian for $12.
The problem is that the python skin is busted on both sides.



I was wondering if it's possible to replace the skin with a different material; similar to banjo or anything else.

Or how much would it cost to get it professionally fixed?
If reasonable, where would be a good place to send it to?
I do live near Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Also, would it be possible to identify the maker from the head of the sanxian?


I'm a college student trying to save money as much as possible.
Any ideas?

Thanks!
Brandon

[davidmdahl]

Unless you can recognise an otherwise wonderful instrument and can do the repair by yourself, I would take a pass on the damaged sanxian. It is likely to be cheaper to buy a good undamaged instrument than to repair it.

Best wishes,

David

[kyokuhon]

I think David's right, unfortunately. You could spend a lot on the repair and wind up with a mediocre instrument for the price you'd pay for a decent new one.

[sanmenxia]

A professional repair would be quite expensive, I would think. So you'd have to do it yourself to save money.

The trick is how do you tension the skin and glue it at the same time. There were some great posts on the old Ezfolk erhu forum with lots of photos of how some people did it, but all the posts have been lost (didn't they have backups???!!!, I'm never posting on Ezfolk again).

It involves lots of pegs and clamps and a frame to hold down the skin while it is glued. There some videos on Youtube of someone making a shamisen, including gluing the skin.