11-stringed wing-shaped gusli

$465

(sold out, but you can order an instrument with a similar look)
(this one flies to Maryland, USA)

Contact the maker and order an instrument

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 wing element is decorated with a carved pattern, typical for the 12th century art of Eastern Europe including archeological gusli finds. A color and a carving on a wing make your gusli customized and unique.

Soundboard: spruce.
Spruce is the most traditional wood for soundboards. The correct selection of musical qualities of a specific spruce soundboard as well as an adherence to technology when glued — allows the instrument to expand timbre, adds warmth to the sound. Also the loudness of the instrument directly depends on a good soundboard.

Tuning: MIX - metal pin (wirbels) plus maple wood pegs imitations.
If you for some reason face difficulties using regular wooden tuning pegs, metal wirbels - piano tuning pins - is your choice. They have a handy tuning wrench (going with the gusli). Even a child will easily tune a gusli with it. However wirbels have a various disadvantages. The most significant one is - this modernization changes the instrument sound reducing the wooden warmth in it. An instrument acquires more acute sound and even some unpleasant noises. In a MIX variant: a string, passing the wirbel, rests on a wooden peg imitation. That makes a sound really close to a traditional one. Keeping the convenience of using a handy tuning wrench.

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