Shan Hai Qing is a mid-tier model of the Xiaozheng series in a deep colourway, for adult players and gift occasions — an unusually sober option in a mini range.
Mid-tier series standards, with emphasis on low-mid body. Mini instruments easily get a piercing top; here the bridge and soundboard matching reinforces the lower middle.
The tone is solid and un-flightiness, with a longer decay than most minis in lyrical passages. As a gift for a child or an adult learner, it is usually well received.
For gifting, include the case and spare strings. Most recipients do not know how to care for the instrument, and a short care card prevents most later problems.
For sizing and where a small guzheng fits, see choosing the right guzheng size.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 6800, which is a higher price in the range of the 9 models in the Mini guzheng series (prices run CNY 4000 to CNY 18000).1-Metre Carved Guzheng (CNY 18000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Glazed Glass (CNY 5980). Dawn Ink sits at the same price with a different look and voicing — pick on taste. Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: Can a student alternate between a mini and a standard instrument? Yes, but choose a mini whose string positions and fingering stay close to a standard guzheng, or the change of action will interrupt their progress. For performance goals, keep the standard instrument primary.
Suitable for: the mini guzheng suits a child’s first lessons, a beginner’s start and travel playing — light, portable and good for practice in limited space. For a child’s instrument or a portable setup, tell us your scenario through the enquiry form and we will help you pick a size.
Easy to take out to performances, it goes straight in the boot, a friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it.
I had been watching this shop for a long time, and finally ordered. I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too.
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion, the seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care, it lives in the teaching room, where students take turns on it, and it takes the wear!
Bought it for my child to start on, and the size is just right. It looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly. At this price it holds its own against anything.
A friend recommended them, she said hers has given no trouble in three years. The strings feel a little soft under the fingers, so a child can press them without strain. Customer service was very patient, and answered every question one by one, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with.
I rent, and there is really no room for a full-size guzheng, so this is perfect, they sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest. The tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, very happy overall!
It feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard, my child practises an hour a day, and likes it more the more she plays, I would recommend it!
I compared several sellers, and went with this one, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away. The edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, I'll be back!
I mainly wanted it because it is small, and it fits at home, customer service even showed me how to tune it, so I was not nervous picking it up for the first time, the grain on the soundboard looks natural, the finish is thin, and you can tell it was applied by hand, very happy with it!
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected!
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered. The bridges are smoothed off nicely, and do not catch your hand when you shift position. The colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made, I would recommend it!
I take it on business trips to practise, and can play in a hotel room, after-sales rang me to check it had arrived, which is rare. Worth the price!