Improvements in Zithers and similar Instruments.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Zithers and similar Instruments.
I, LOUIS MELCHER, of Prinzenstrasse 110, Berlin S., in the Empire of Ger-
many, Musician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of the present invention is the simplification and improvement
of the construction of zithers and similar musical instruments, in such a manner
that the capacity of such instruments as compared. with that of instruments of
equal size made according to the systems hitherto in use, will be doubled, while
the learning and playing of the instrument will be rendered very much more
easy. The idea of the present invention is the division of the harmony strings
into two groups of which one is placed cross-wise to the other, in consequence of
which double the number of strings require an instrument very little larger
than the one hitherto required for such a number alone. The present system is
specially adapted to such zithers in which there are separate groups of strings
for melody and harmony.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument of this kind with a limited range
of notes and few harmony chords.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of the same instrument.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an instrument of the same size with double
the number of harmony chords owing to the harmony strings having been placed
cross wise.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal view of the same instrument.
The body of the instrument (the sounding board) is the same as in other
zithers. In both the instruments represented here, the melody strings are
those going from the pins on the elevated side A of the slope to the screws b
on the lower side B. The harmony-strings are strung in groups of four, at a
suitable height cross-wise over the tune-strings. In the case of Figs. 1 and 2
they are parallel and fixed at the broader side C of the instrument to the pins c
and at the narrow side D to the screws d. The pins a and c are protected by the
bridges E and F which serve as hand rests.
In the case of Figs. 3 and 4 the harmony strings are also divided into groups
of four each tuned to one chord. In order however to get double the number
of harmony strings into the same space, pins and screws are provided at each
side on two levels, one above the other. Upon the upper level L L' on both
sides the screws are fixed, upon the lower level M M the pins. If there are,
for instance 8 x 4 harmony strings 4 × 4 will be strung from the screws on
each upper level to the pins on the opposite lower level. Preferably the strings
of each group will alternate with the strings of the opposite group, that is to
say, taking any one group of four strings, whose highest part lies on one side of
the instrument, between each string and the next of that group there will
lie one of the strings of a group which has its higher part at the other side of
the instrument and so on. The distance of the strings apart at the spot where
they cross will still be large enough to allow of ample vibration, while close to

page_text: the screws the harmony strings have..as much space as in the simple construction
(Figs. 1 and 2) although there are double the number.
It is of course advisable to provide bridges as hand rests over the two rows
of screws of the instrument shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and also perhaps over the
line P where the harmony strings cross each other.
Of course the melody strings may be placed above the harmony strings and
cross each other also, or strings of one kind only, chromatic or double tuned, or
chromatically double tuned, may be used with this system. The groups of
harmony strings may comprise any desired number.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
-
The method of constructing a zither or similar stringed instrument in which
the harmony strings are placed across the melody strings or vice versa, and the
harmony strings arranged in sets of chords are strung, some sets from an elevated
level on one side, and the other sets from an elevated level on the other side,
each respectively to a lower level opposite, so that the harmony strings cross
each other.
Dated this 22nd day of Decarbor 1900
HERBERT HADDAN & Co..
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C.