Zhi Shang sits in the middle of the Dashi series: one foot in graded exam and audition repertoire, the other in small-scale performance. It suits ambitious advancing students and music majors.
On top of standard series assembly, nut and string-nut seating are adjusted more finely so octaves and fifths sing stably. Tuning retention in fast passages is verified through dedicated play-tests.
The voice is upright and articulate: fast passages stay clear, slow ones stay full. It has more volume than the entry models and holds its own in a practice room or rehearsal hall.
Students play hard. Check bridge positions every three months — a shifted bridge is the most common cause of a dull voice, and reseating it restores the tone immediately.
For how performance-grade instruments are specified, see how to choose a performance-grade guzheng.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 13000, which is the mid-range price of the 7 models in the Master series (prices run CNY 7300 to CNY 28000).Misty Peaks (CNY 18000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Qingsun (CNY 10000). Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: Is the "Master Series" made personally by a master? The series is assembled and voiced under senior luthiers, with critical steps completed by experienced technicians and cross-checked by several players before release. We do not inflate this with personal names — the standard is the actual assembly process.
Suitable for: the Master series spans teaching through performance, suited to training-centre lessons, conservatory teaching and personal advancement. Batch orders for institutions and schools get tiered pricing with a specification list. Tell us your scenario through the enquiry form when you need a programme.
My child loves it, I have recommended it to friends.
The tone is lovely, and it is beautiful, I have already recommended it to classmates.
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, I'll be back.
The edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, they sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with, very happy with it.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake. The colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made. Customer service was a little slow to reply, and only answered the second time I asked, I'd buy again.
I bought it because a well-known teacher oversaw it, and it did not disappoint, 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, the manual is too basic, so I learned to tune from a video!
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered. A friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, very happy overall.
It stands in the living room, and guests ask what it cost the moment they see it. It shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected.
My teacher recommended this series, saying it is good value, the string spacing is even, the octaves are true, and it barely needs adjusting.
I had been watching this shop for a long time, and finally ordered, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, at this price it holds its own against anything, there is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable, I'll be back!
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!
The tone is far more open than my last instrument, the resonance is better than I expected, and it holds up on something like Fighting the Typhoon. No extra microphone is needed at performances, and the back rows can hear it!