Zhi Xi is the upper model of the Zhenpin series, positioned for professional performance and important engagements — for teachers who make the guzheng their profession, for concert performers, and for collectors.
It is built to a higher spec from timber selection onward. Each carved top goes through a stabilisation step that anticipates movement between dry northern winters and damp southern summers, and every assembly stage has a dedicated second inspection.
The voice is finished rather than raw — short break-in, ready for the stage out of the box. Registers join cleanly with no obvious seams, which is what recording engineers and stage players notice first.
Have it checked once a year by a technician: nut condition, bridge contact and top flatness. In regions with sharp humidity swings a cover and a hygrometer are inexpensive insurance against most problems.
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 30000, which is a lower price in the range of the 8 models in the Zhenpin series (prices run CNY 20000 to CNY 108000).Zhijian (CNY 32000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Zhiyan (CNY 21000). 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.
I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too, the resonance is better than I expected, and it holds up on something like Fighting the Typhoon, very happy overall.
It took over a month to ship, but once it arrived the wait felt worth it, the edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, a friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it, I'd buy again.
Worth every penny, I have recommended it to friends.
After-sales rang me to check it had arrived, which is rare, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, this is one that could be passed down.
The workmanship is exquisite, satisfied with it, I have already recommended it to classmates.
The instrument arrived, and the moment I opened the crate I knew the money had been well spent, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, the low register is full, and Fisherman's Song at Dusk sounds wonderful on it!
The seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care. It came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, there is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable, I would recommend it.
A friend recommended them, she said hers has given no trouble in three years, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected.
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!
A friend recommended them, it did not disappoint.