Koto designs

I'm wanting to make a bowed zither, similar to a koto but with a flat
top instead of an arched top. I thought of making curved bridges at both
ends, designing so that I can bow all 8 strings. Has anyone built, seen
or played such an instrument? If so, any pics or designs? The problem I
foresee is that the two highest strings, being further away from the
soundboard, might lose volume.

Thanks in anticipation.

Kind Regards

Hello Alison!
What inspires you away from a curved top?
Quite a few woods can be soaked in Water but I admit i haven't done it. I have also heard the PVC
as a large diameter works well but have not tried this either. i always wanted to make a complete
circle.
I seem to remember 14 inch diameter being a good spacing for strings am inch apart. I don't think
you would lose volume with a larger bridge for the middle strings unless the bridge material was
too soft of wood. But i could be wrong

Alison Monteith wrote:

> I'm wanting to make a bowed zither, similar to a koto but with a flat
> top instead of an arched top. I thought of making curved bridges at both
> ends, designing so that I can bow all 8 strings. Has anyone built, seen
> or played such an instrument? If so, any pics or designs? The problem I
> foresee is that the two highest strings, being further away from the
> soundboard, might lose volume.
>
> Thanks in anticipation.
>
> Kind Regards
>
>

-- Kraig Grady
North American Embassy of Anaphoria island
http://www.anaphoria.com

The Wandering Medicine Show
Wed. 8-9 KXLU 88.9 fm

Kraig Grady wrote:

> Hello Alison!
> What inspires you away from a curved top?
> Quite a few woods can be soaked in Water but I admit i haven't done it. I have also heard the PVC
> as a large diameter works well but have not tried this either. i always wanted to make a complete
> circle.
> I seem to remember 14 inch diameter being a good spacing for strings am inch apart. I don't think
> you would lose volume with a larger bridge for the middle strings unless the bridge material was
> too soft of wood. But i could be wrong

The top is high grade spruce and quite expensive so I don't really want to experiment on it. I'd
love to have the time and skill to make a curved top zither. Those Vietnamese and Korean kotos are
so elegant. PVC sounds like a good idea for the future and I have some pipes large enough. I'll use
cherry or mahogany for the bridges.

Regards