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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on November 1, 2012 at 2:25pm

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 10:36pm

Hi 497Bug,

That looks like a "Romance" brand Qinqin, built in Guangzhou, China. The fret layout is unique on the Qinqin, it's not 12TET (chromatic), nor is it diatonic. I stripped out the frets on mine, maybe you've done the same. The instrument I have uses a white sheep skin drum head. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to repair a torn snake skin. I know another guy who had the same problem with his (he also lives here in Shenzhen, China). I could contact him via email to see if he ever found a fix. The other option might be to contact the manufacturer to see if they sell replacement drum heads, Seems I had the factory address somewhere, but I'll have to hunt around for it. I'll see what I can do and get back with you,.

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 10:40pm

P.S. It may now be illegal to import snake skins to the States. Seems I saw a poster about it at HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport), Maybe a sheep skin might be a safer alternative.

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 10:53pm

Here's some more info...

The qinqin (Hanzi: 秦琴; Pinyin: qínqín)

Factory Address in Chinese Hanzi:

单位名称:        广州市芳村区朗鸣乐器工艺厂
产品介绍:        修理、加工中西乐器；零售乐器配件。
单位地址:        广东省广州市芳村区鹤翔路１７号
邮政编码:        510380
联系电话:        8159-4181
 
Name:        Fangcun District, Guangzhou City, Long-Ming Musical Instrument Factory
Products:    Repair, processing, Chinese and Western musical instruments;
                  musical instrument accessories.
Address:    Fangcun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, No. 17 Hok Cheung Road,
Postcode:   510380
Phone:        8159-4181

Guangzhou Dān Nuó's "Romance" (Lang Ming Brand) Qin-qins:

    A.) Three-String Qin-qins                                            Price Range:
          1.) Long body* w/white sheep skin drum head        190元 / 180元
          2.) Long body* w/snake skin drum head                170元 / 210元
          3.) Round body w/white sheep skin drum head       143元 / 170元   <== What I have
          4.) Round body w/snake skin drum head                170元 / 210元
    
    B.) Four String  Qinqins:
          5.) Round body w/white sheep skin drum head        350.00 元
          6.) Round body w/snake skin drum head                 355.00 元

I also know a music shop owner who sells them. I can ask him if he knows if the snake skin drum head can be repaired or if he can order a replacement past (and what that should cost). For me to communicate with him, I'll have to visit his shop, as I can't communicate in Chinese so sell over the telephone. So, it may be a few days.

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 11:00pm

The Chinese also use snake skins on their erhus (2 string fiddles), so maybe an erhu dealer might know how to fix.

Also I seem to recall that you have to apply some kind oil to the snake skin to keep it pliable, especially in dry climates. That may be why yours split.

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on November 1, 2012 at 11:06pm

wow spot on with your info
This is a 3 stringer and apparently has a bowed neck
But I plan to restore it
It looks to have big frets the one I have.
But the ring is exactly as your pic

Thanks for your help

May need skin and a neck, nut, bridge and tail
we will see handy if I could get hold of some of them.
If not I will remake similar

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 3, 2012 at 12:06am

The prices I quoted above are mostly "Internet" pricing. The lowest prices I found were from this websitefrom the following web site:

http://www.yin-yuan.com.cn/cn/pro.php?CateId=&ProName=%C7%D8%C7...

At music instrument stores, the pricing is maybe 2 times as high. One local store sells the snake skin version of the Qinqin for 480 yuan, or about 70 US$. That's pretty cheap, too bad overseas postage is so expensive.

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on November 1, 2012 at 11:08pm

Oh and tuners....

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 11:33pm

Sounds like it might be easier and cheaper to just buy a new instrument.

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 1, 2012 at 11:54pm

Here's a link to an article I wrote on a Beijing BBS on the Qinqin, hoping to get more info on the instrument. It explains other problems I had with the instrument.

-Rand.

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on November 3, 2012 at 12:33am

Thanks Rand...Is it illegal to ship a snakeskin head to the UK?

Is there anyway to get a cost for a replacement skin either trype?

I will measure the one I have

 

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Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 3, 2012 at 5:40am

I don't think China has any problem shipping snake skin products anywhere world-wide, but some governments may have problems on the receiving side. In the article whose link you gave me below suggest contacting the Global Wildlife Division of Defra (0117-372 8749, www.ukcites.gov.uk) and asking them. Sounds like maybe a good idea.

Also, I did ask at the local music store today and the owner there says that there are basically two options when it comes to repairing an instrument. Send it back to the factory for repair (no luthiers in China), or throw it away and buy a new one. I asked specifically about ordering a replacement drum head and he said, no he couldn't get them. The store price for a new instrument is 480 yuan (R.M.B), which is about $70.00 U.S. But, you will also have to pay international shipping, so that won't be cheap.

I was reading on another site about a guy asking how to repair the snakeskin on his san xian, and one of the respondents suggested he go snake hunting in Florida... apparently they have boas and similar snakes prowling around the Everglades and wiping out the native species. They are considered invasive species. So, there should be no complaints there if you take a snake or two for making drum heads.

The U.K. isn't that dry of a country, but I bet when winter rolls around, the heaters in the house turn on and the resulting dry air can wrack havoc on those snake skin banjo heads. I avoided all these problems by going with a white sheep skin drum head.

-Rand.

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