Columbia zither No. 3-3/4

Alternate name(s)

Fretless zither
Zither, chord, melody strings
Chord zither
Guitar zither

Date1907-1926 ca.

Place MadeEast Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North America

ModelColumbia Zither Special No. 3-3/4

Serial No.none

SignedSoundhole label: white rectangular paper label with double line black circular border; within border in black printed: THE COLUMBIA / No. 3 ¾ / ZITHER / Manufactured by / THE PHONOHARP / CO. Model decal: on dark gold ribbon in black and red decorative text printed: COLUMBIA ZITHER / SPECIAL Pitch designation decal: along top edge of decal in black printed: v Indicates an octave below / vv Indicates two octaves below / Patented May 29th 1984MarkingsnoneDescriptionStrings:
45 strings (3 missing); 5 chords consisting of 4 strings with bass strings on the left of each chord; 25 melody strings
Body:
Top: black-painted birch; 2 holes in pin block for wire sheet music stand; gold pitch designation decal with red and gold rectangular border; decal indicates chord string musical notations, chord string spellings, and chord string numbers; decal indicates melody string musical notations, melody string spellings, and melody string numbers
Back: black-painted spruce
Sides: black-painted spruce with glossy finish
Soundhole: circular soundhole centered on soundboard; gold decal with scrolling gold, red, and black floral pattern; scalloped outermost edge with gold and red leaf accents
Nut: 2 piece gold-painted hardwood nut; portion of nut for chord strings diagonally sloped upwards from strings; portion of nut for melody strings diagonally sloped downwards from strings; single piece steel wire saddle
Bridge: gold-painted hardwood with steel wire saddle; black-painted endpiece; decal centered on top of endpiece depicting red, white, and blue shield with thin line gold accent
Decoration:
Soundboard border: gold decal edging soundboard; black and gold geometrical diamond pattern with red outline
Model decal: located on chord side of soundboard above soundhole; dark gold ribbon with scrolling gold foliage accents; on dark gold ribbon in black and red decorative text printed: Columbia zither / Special
Tuning Pins: 45 steel tuning pins
Table-top Rests: 3 dome-shaped brass rests on back
DimensionsBody: 560 mm / 22.1 in long, 395 mm / 15.6 in wide
Chord string vibrating length: 460 mm / 18.1 in
Highest melody string vibrating length: 185 mm / 7.3 in
Lowest melody string vibrating length: 410 mm / 16.1 in
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.

Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979

Object number02249

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