Monday, February 25, 2008

Abing Silver Er Quan Erhu Strings

I just listed Abing Silver Er Quan Erhu strings on my online website.



These are strings specially for Erquan Erhu to be tuned G, D. Click here for my information about the Erquan Erhu.

Some Erhu players who don't want to purchase an Erquan Erhu just to play 2 songs buy these strings to try on their Erhu.

You can give it a go but still nothing beats the real thing.

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One of my Erhu customer in Spain has this to say about the Erhu belt clip.

Hello Tansungwah: I have received the belt clip this morning. I immediately tried it and it was very good to can play the erhu while moving through a room and stand up. I like very much this item, it is very useful. Thanks a lot.

I reckon the feeling is like the first time I got my guitar strap. Its great to be able to move around the school campus serenading girls with my guitar.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Groovy Erhu Bridges

Have you noticed something about the grooves on the bridge of the Erhu? If you look closely, one of the grooves is always bigger than the other. The bigger groove is for the inner string while the outer string.

Someone asked me how does the height of the bridge affect the sound of the Erhu. Well, a higher bridge would give a brighter and sharper tone to the instrument. Usually after sometime of playing or due climate changes, the snakeskin on the Erhu might start to sag. The notes might sound a little less distinct to the point of being muffled. In this case you might want to change to a higher bridge to bring back some clarity.

Also, when the snakeskin is sagging, the strings might touch the resonator when you are doing pressing vibrato at the high registers. Changing to a higher bridge would resolve the problem.

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So what's up lately? We had some new models of Erhus: A less expensive Wan Qi Xing Rosewood Erhu and this model of Shanghai Dunhuang Ebony Erhu without the bronze tuning mechanisms. Pictures and sample clips will be posted soon.

Those who are interested in owning a Wang Gen Xing Erhu will have to wait a while now. My stocks are gone and he does not have any stocks left. He asked me to check back in March to see if he has gotten the raw materials to start making. If you are interested please let me know early, there is a queue forming.

Also, the below Erhu hardcase will be available sometime middle of March.





It comes in 3 colors - black, silver and red!

(Retail price is US$79. Shipping cost to be confirmed.)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Erhu Resurrection Kit

Hello to all again!

It's good to be back after a long Chinese New Year break.

This is a new product I've put together:

So you've got an used Erhu from Ebay or a garage sale. It looks like its seen better days. The strings are rusty, the bow looks bare and you're not sure what else is needed to make the Erhu sing again.

Enter the Erhu resurrection kit. Everything you need to restore your Erhu to its former glories.

The package includes:

1. 2 Set Mudan Erhu Strings

Strings become dead, dull and rusty over time. We'll pack in 2 in case you mess up the first.

Click here for a video on how to change the strings.


2. 1 Shanghai Erhu Bow

Old bows filled with grime and dirt will reduce your Erhu to a whisper. You'll definitely need a new one.


3. 1 Song rosin

With great bow, comes great rosin. We'll pack in a boxed Song rosin. Yes you can buy rosins in violin shops but nothing come close to Song rosins.

Click here for a video on how to rosin the bow.


4. 1 roll of Qianjing

The nylonesque string that pulls the strings towards the neck. You can't find this kind of material easily anywhere. A roll of Qianjing string is good for 10 ties or tries.

Click here for a video on how to tie the Qianjing.


5. 2 fine adjustors

Made in Germany by Wittner. Some Erhu pegs are very stiff and some tend to slip. This helps you to tune your Erhu.


6. 4 Erhu bridges

2 white wood bridges and 2 black bridges of varying height. The different wood gives a different tone and if your snakeskin has sagged, try the higher bridge. Place the bridge in the centre of the snakeskin.


7. 2 cloth dampener

Makes the sound more compact and reduces some harshness and noise. Fold it thick enough to fit under the strings below the bridge.


8. 1 Erhu mute

Erhu can be quite a loud instrument. Use this to cut out 90% of the volume if you are practising at night.


9. Erhu fingering chart

Stick it on the neck of the Erhu to give you a guide on where your left hand fingers should press.

Click here for more information on how to stick the chart.


So that's everything you need to get your Erhu back on track. If you have a can of Lemon Pledge at home, you can use that to clean your Erhu, but stay clear of the snakeskin.

Total price of package = US$60.
Shipping of all items to USA, Europe and Canada = US$20

Click here to purchase the Erhu Resurrection Package!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Happy Chinese New Year!

6th Feb is the start of the Chinese New Year and our office will be closed till 13 Feb.

Our apologies if there is a delay in shipping out your purchases during this period.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Big and Small Sanxian

Thought you might be interested in a bit more information about Sanxians. So I took some pictures, videos and measurements of the big and small Sanxian. (They come in big, medium and small. Click here to read more about the Sanxian.)

Here are 2 shots of the big Sanxian and small Sanxian lying together:




The big Sanxian measures: 123cm x 22cm(diameter of resonator) and the small Sanxian measures 100cm x 15cm.

You can imagine the medium Sanxian to be, well, somewhere in between.

Here are pictures and a sample clip of the big Beijing Rosewood Sanxian:





And here's the small Shanghai Rosewood Sanxian again:




Pardon the less than perfect playing. I had to put a gun to his head to make him play.