Zhonghong Guzheng was founded in 1996, with its production base in Lankao, Henan. Lankao is the main growing region for paulownia in China; paulownia is light, springy and transmits vibration quickly, which is why it has long been the traditional material for guzheng soundboards. Building the factory where the timber grows is the most direct way we have found to control soundboard quality over three decades: the time between delivery and cutting is short, moisture content is easier to manage, and the odds of finding good boards are higher.
Guzhengs only. We are a manufacturer that builds guzhengs and nothing else, rather than spreading across the whole instrument catalogue. Our instruments are grouped by use into five series: Zhenpin (dugout construction, for concert work and collections), Master (professional performance), Performance (stage and ensemble), Kaoji (graded exams and daily practice) and Mini (children and travel). The differences between series are not cosmetic: soundboard structure, string spacing and action are set for how hard each instrument will be played.
Most of our customers are institutions. Conservatories, performing ensembles and training studios make up the bulk of our work, alongside individual players. Institutional purchasing is rarely a single instrument but a batch: different year groups and course goals need different instruments, and tuning and maintenance have to be planned for afterwards. That is why we work from scale and course goals rather than quoting a price list.
How to start. Whether it is one instrument or a batch, tell us the use, the budget and your region, and we will suggest models and the nearest way to try them.