Chan Xin is a collector-grade dugout of the Zhenpin series, made in limited numbers. It is intended for senior players who play for depth rather than display, and for collectors; several concert artists keep one as a personal instrument.
Timber selection is close to uncompromising: the top must be straight-grained and flawless, and it is adjusted through repeated play-testing after carving. Bridges and nuts are matched to each individual instrument, and the assembly takes markedly longer than standard models.
The voice is restrained rather than striking: not chasing first-hearing brightness, but offering density and layering, a clean decay and detail that surfaces the more you play. It suits slow practice, solo repertoire and traditional pieces.
Keep a collector-grade instrument in a stable environment and keep a simple usage log. An annual professional check pays for itself — small issues are cheap, cracks are not.
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 90000, which is a higher price in the range of the 8 models in the Zhenpin series (prices run CNY 20000 to CNY 108000).Zen Sound (CNY 108000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Han-Tang Splendour (CNY 36000). 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 hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion. The string spacing is even, the octaves are true, and it barely needs adjusting.
A coming-of-age gift for my daughter, and she cried when she opened it, the low register is full, and Fisherman's Song at Dusk sounds wonderful on it. Very happy with it.
I compared several sellers, and went with this one, the strings feel a little soft under the fingers, so a child can press them without strain, this is one that could be passed down, the crate was very large, and I could not move it on my own!
After-sales rang me to check it had arrived, which is rare, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, I plan to keep it for my child!
Very good value, I'll be back.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake. The grain on the soundboard looks natural, the finish is thin, and you can tell it was applied by hand. The tone overall is on the warm side, rather than bright, which I prefer, I'll be back!
I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected, very happy overall!
The colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made. The bridges are smoothed off nicely, and do not catch your hand when you shift position!
The instrument arrived, and the moment I opened the crate I knew the money had been well spent, the tuning holds very steadily, two months of playing and it has barely drifted. It came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock. Five stars.
The grain of the aged wood is genuine, not a veneer, a friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it. At this price, value for money is not the point, it is about the wood and the work, the manual is too basic, so I learned to tune from a video!
I was playing a practice instrument that cost a few thousand, and moving to this feels like a different instrument, the sound is very clean, with none of that muffled buzz!
I had been watching this shop for a long time, and finally ordered, the top is bright without being shrill, and the bass really goes down, the sustain lasts a long time, it looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly!