Chan Yin is the top model of the Zhenpin series — a heirloom-grade instrument for the highest level of performance, for concert artists, for master teachers, and for collectors planning long-term holdings.
Production is measured in months. Each carved top rests naturally, final assembly is led by the most experienced maker in the workshop, and critical steps are never rushed. Every instrument carries its own serial number and maker's record.
It has the most complete voice in the range: registers that are unified yet each with character, holding tone colour from the softest nuance to full forte. The air in a pianissimo and the metallic ring in a fortissimo are both there.
Specify a professional case and humidity control; transport must be in a reinforced crate. When used for teaching, return it to its position after class to avoid repeated handling by students.
For more on dugout construction and how it differs from laminated boards, see the difference between dugout and laminated guzheng.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 108000, which is the top of the range of the 8 models in the Zhenpin series (prices run CNY 20000 to CNY 108000).To keep the budget down, start from Zen Heart (CNY 90000). Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: What is the difference between a dugout and a laminated guzheng in the Zhenpin series? A dugout top is carved from a single block of paulownia with the fibres unbroken, giving fuller resonance and longer decay, at the cost of a much longer build. A laminated top is glued from several boards: more consistent and better value. Neither is absolutely better — it depends on your budget and what you want from the tone.
Suitable for: this dugout guzheng is aimed at professional players, serious amateurs and collectors. Zhonghong also supplies conservatories, ensembles and music shops with batch orders, configuring and tuning instruments uniformly. Schools, ensembles or institutions can use the enquiry form to tell us quantities and scenarios, and we will send a written quotation.
It looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly.
A friend plays in a Chinese orchestra, and said it is very fair at this price, the sound is very clean, with none of that muffled buzz, the seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care, it drifted quite often at first, and took three tunings to settle!
The instrument arrived, and the moment I opened the crate I knew the money had been well spent, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, I'll be back!
It took over a month to ship, but once it arrived the wait felt worth it, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, the grain on the soundboard looks natural, the finish is thin, and you can tell it was applied by hand, I'd buy again.
A coming-of-age gift for my daughter, and she cried when she opened it. The harmonics ring out clearly, and come out with the lightest touch, I'd buy again.
I compared several sellers, and went with this one. They sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest, very happy with it!
The tuning holds very steadily, two months of playing and it has barely drifted, very happy with it.
The grain of the aged wood is genuine, not a veneer, after-sales rang me to check it had arrived, which is rare. There is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable.
The bridges are smoothed off nicely, and do not catch your hand when you shift position. It feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard.
Customer service even showed me how to tune it, so I was not nervous picking it up for the first time, I would recommend it.
This was the most expensive one in the shop, I hesitated for six months before buying, I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too. Customer service was very patient, and answered every question one by one, I plan to keep it for my child!
Very good value.
The edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, a friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it. This is one that could be passed down, it costs a little more than comparable instruments, but the workmanship really is different, I would recommend it.
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered, the low register is full, and Fisherman's Song at Dusk sounds wonderful on it. Compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away. At this price, value for money is not the point, it is about the wood and the work!
It shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected. I'd buy again!