11-stringed wing-shaped gusli for lefthanded

$465

(sold out, but you can order an instrument with a similar look)
(this one stays in Minsk, Belarus)

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Gusli for lefthanded is a mirrored copy of regular gusli, when you need your right hand for chords and left hand for the rhythm or plucking.

Wing-shaped gusli [gusli with a wing element] is one of the most common types of traditional gusli in Latvia and Russia, can be found in Estonia, and it is also the only traditional type of gusli in Belarus. Although the tradition of playing the gusli in Belarus was interrupted, the instruments played by Belarusians can be found in museums and essays by ethnographers from early 20th century.

Body: spruce.
Spruce, alder and pine are the most traditional materials for gusli bodies of all types and kinds. First gusli I ever held in my hands was from spruce. Spruce gusli sounds bright and warm. Pleasant middle tones close to human voice in their sound are rised. Spruce instruments are lightweight, with beautiful wooden texture.
Coating: wood stain and waxing. The typical symbol for Belarusian folk ornamental is carved at the wing element.

Soundboard: spruce.
Spruce is the most tratidion wood for soundboards. The correct selection of musical qualities of a specific soundboard made from spruce and adherence to technology when glued — allows the instrument to expand timbre, adds warmth to the sound. And also the loudness of the instrument directly depends on a good soundboard.

Pegs: maple.
Maple — is interesting as a material for pegs, because of wood-fibres are not accentuated, maple is hard, but in the same time its surface is sotf enough for the pegs to be perfectly adjusted to the conic tuning hole, spin smoothly and hold the pitch perfectly.

Strings: plain steel strings, light tension.
Metal strings could have been already installed on the gusli of the 11th century, and are most satisfying for a modern musician. The range of ticknesses of the strings is between 0.021" and 0.011". The higher the tension of the strings, the louder the instrument. The weaker the tension, the more overtones in the sound of each string, the richer the sounds of the gusli. Of course, everything has its reasonable limit: too much tensed strings are often break (or deform the instrument), and too slightly tensed are not perfectly in tune. The proposed option is optimal for this gusli type.

Hardcase:
There is the instrument hardcase in the set. This variant of a case also known as airplane case. It has strong plywood structure. Outer layer is from the vinylis artificial leather. The inside layer is from soft fabric with pile. It is the best instrument protection for transportation and storage. It will save your gusli checked in as a plane or bus luggage. Also it is the best variant for car trunk. There are comfortable carry handles for horizontal and vertival carrying.

A woven strap for playing in a standing position:
A traditional kind of a handmade woven belt.

Contact the maker and order an instrument