Golden Dream is the top model of the Yanchu series, built for formal stage performance and major competitions, for professional players whose goal is the stage.
The instrument is specified to performance grade: top and bridges matched for volume and finish, the assembly technician follows it through, and a player confirms the result before release.
The voice is brilliant and penetrating, clear even in large rooms with difficult acoustics, with a wide dynamic range suited to dramatic repertoire.
Before a major competition, finish tuning, fit your finger picks and let the instrument settle. Do not take a new guzheng straight to the stage — allow at least two weeks of break-in.
For how instruments are specified for the stage, see how to choose a performance-grade guzheng.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 9580, which is the top of the range of the 6 models in the Performance series (prices run CNY 6500 to CNY 9580).To keep the budget down, start from Only This Green (CNY 9100). Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: How different is the Performance series from the Grading series? Mainly in orientation: Performance leans toward volume, projection and stage presence, while Grading leans toward stable action and honest feedback. Pick one primary direction for a given stage of study.
Suitable for: built for the stage, the Performance series suits professional ensembles, touring groups and ensemble rehearsal, and is often used for concerts and large events. Buying one model in batch keeps the voice consistent for ensemble work. Ensembles or institutions can reach us through the enquiry form and we will assign a dedicated contact.
I had been watching this shop for a long time, and finally ordered. The strings feel a little soft under the fingers, so a child can press them without strain. It drifted quite often at first, and took three tunings to settle!
Bought for the new children in the orchestra, and the feedback has been good, 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. I'd buy again!
The finish looks lovely under stage lighting, customer service was very patient, and answered every question one by one.
It has done several commercial gigs, and has stayed rock solid. It looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock. It costs a little more than comparable instruments, but the workmanship really is different, I'd buy again.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, the sound is very clean, with none of that muffled buzz, a friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it!
I compared several sellers, and went with this one, I took it to a lesson, and my teacher said the tone was good too, I'd buy again.
Our ensemble replaced all its instruments, and bought one to try first. The resonance is better than I expected, and it holds up on something like Fighting the Typhoon, customer service was a little slow to reply, and only answered the second time I asked, very happy with it!
I hesitated for a long time, and ordered during a promotion, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, at this price it holds its own against anything, the crate was very large, and I could not move it on my own, very happy overall.
Bought for stage performance, and the volume really is there, the colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made, delivery was two days late, and I was getting anxious, five stars.
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered, no extra microphone is needed at performances, and the back rows can hear it, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with!