|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 18, 2013 20:35:12 GMT
Hi - I'm a new kid on the block.  I'm also a luthier, I live in southern Oregon, and I'm tired of building Martin-style guitars. I do love the traditional music as presented on this forum; and I would like to build a zhongruan or pipa. So far, I've been unable to locate plans or specs or bracing schematics or even drawings of the internal workings and measurements of any of the traditional instruments. I have even offered - gasp! - to PAY for them. Gads, still no luck. Can anyone here point me in the right direction to obtain said plans/drawings/specs/ etc? Thanks a lot. Dave Bagwill |
|
|
|
Post by davidmdahl on Mar 18, 2013 23:24:02 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Dave. I have never seen any specs or drawings available on the Internet for making Chinese instruments in general. I suspect that they are not shared very willingly. I cannot imagine what incentive there would be to do so.
In case it would help you, I have a zhongruan that you could examine and measure, if you happen to be in the Portland area sometime. The fretting is a bit of a mess, and I have had plans to take my zhongruan to a local luthier for fixing the height and location of the frets. I don't know how you would get internal measurements. Maybe you can get something useful from outside measurements anyway.
Another option might be to buy an inexpensive zhongruan or pipa via Ebay or Eason. That way you could take it apart and measure everything yourself.
Best wishes,
David
|
|
|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 19, 2013 0:25:46 GMT
Thanks David. I think the Ebay option might work out. Guitar guys love to show off their bracing patterns and all other specs they are proud of, and I assumed luthiers of all persuasions had similar openness. Well, more than one way to skin a cat, as we say in the biz. :-)
If I get anywhere with this, I'll keep the Forum posted.
|
|
|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 19, 2013 0:45:31 GMT
Also - if anyone here finds the time - outside measurements - the diameter of the top, the height of the sides, anything like that would be a help. Or if anyone could stick a little camera inside and get a shot of the top and back inside the instrument, that would be waaaay cool.
Thanks again
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by stacote on Mar 20, 2013 23:53:59 GMT
Hey Dave, in case you haven't noticed, I send a PM.
|
|
|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 21, 2013 0:54:31 GMT
Thanks, I just replied.
|
|
|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 31, 2013 1:14:45 GMT
I'm thinking about purchasing a zhongruan, and looking at the Popular series at Eason. I do play guitar, pretty well, and I know the pain of learning on an entry level instrument. So: for something that is properly set up, that stays in tune, that gives no impediments to learning - will a 'Popular' grade instrument do the job?
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by deadedith on Mar 31, 2013 1:20:11 GMT
Or if someone has a used or broken instrument, I would be interested in that also. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by danieljtb on Jan 12, 2015 7:46:02 GMT
hi all I live in Oregon and have made several instruments over the years I would like to make a zhongruan
Couls omeone provide the string spacing at the nut and at the saddle thanks Dan
|
|
