Lan Se is the modern-voiced dugout of the Zhenpin series. It is aimed at players of contemporary repertoire who need dynamic contrast, and at stage performers who want projection without losing detail.
A single carved soundboard keeps the resonance complete. Bridge weights are matched to the force of the player — firm attack does not overload the top, and a light touch still shows detail. String tension is distributed by tuning each string individually.
The character is a wide dynamic range: fine-grained and layered when played softly, loud but never harsh when driven hard, with an even join between the high and low registers. It handles the emotional swings of modern pieces particularly well.
Wipe the strings and soundboard with a soft cloth after playing. If the instrument will sit unused for a long period, loosen the strings and store it in its case rather than leaning it against a wall where the top can warp.
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 21000, which is a lower price in the range of the 8 models in the Zhenpin series (prices run CNY 20000 to CNY 108000).Zhixi (CNY 30000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Zhimo (CNY 20000). Zhiyan sits at the same price with a different look and voicing — pick on taste. 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.
The packing was done with care.
The grain of the aged wood is genuine, not a veneer. It shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected, the tone overall is on the warm side, rather than bright, which I prefer.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, the string spacing is even, the octaves are true, and it barely needs adjusting!
Better than I expected, I have already recommended it to classmates.
Very good value, I have recommended it to friends.
This was the most expensive one in the shop, I hesitated for six months before buying. The edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots, this is one that could be passed down, five stars.
The sound is very clean, with none of that muffled buzz!
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, at this price, value for money is not the point, it is about the wood and the work. There is a slight difference between the colour and the website, but it is acceptable, worth the price.
The tone is lovely, and it is beautiful.
It looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly, they sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest.
Worth every penny, I'll be back.