Guzheng, a plucked string instrument that carries over 2,500 years of Chinese culture, with its clear and lively tone, has become the favorite of folk music enthusiasts abroad. Although it is not as convenient to buy a guzheng in the US as it is in China, where you face a vast domestic market with many choices. In the United States, you need to consider the quality of guzheng while also dealing with after-sales service, merchant selection, and more.

Today, I will bring you a detailed guide to buying a guzheng, so that you can handle the buy smoothly even when you are in the US.

The sales channels of the guzheng in the US mainly include online e-commerce platforms, offline musical instrument stores, and some companies specializing in the import of Chinese musical instruments. If you choose to buy offline, you can try the sound and feel the touch of the instrument, and also get professional recommendations from experts. However, if your location is inconvenient, you can have more choices of guzhengs by this way when buying online. Online buying not only allows you to see the appearance of the product without leaving home, but also many official websites also offer certain quality guarantees, enabling you to have a perfect after-sales experience. But whether buying online or offline, it is essential to choose a reliable channel to ensure its legitimacy and the availability of comprehensive after-sales service, thereby safeguarding your rights and interests. Meanwhile, the American Guzheng Institute (AGZI) has been established in the US, dedicated to promoting the charm of the guzheng to more people around the world through educational and performance activities, making them like and fall in love with guzheng culture.

There are many considerations when selecting a guzheng, where material, tone, and craftsmanship are all indispensable. In terms of material, high-quality guzheng soundboards are mostly made of paulownia wood, which has clear grain and excellent resonance, enhancing the layering of the music. If a merchant offers a guzheng at a low price while heavily promoting the quality of its materials, it’s best to steer clear! Tone is the soul of the instrument, and when testing the sound, pay attention to the notes produced when plucking the strings: the high notes should be clear and bright without being harsh, the mid notes should be mellow and full, and the low notes should be deep and resonant—these are key criteria for judging the tone quality of the guzheng.

If your guzheng is delivered to you by mail, be sure to carefully check for any problems when you receive it, such as cracks, deformations, or repair marks on the panel, whether the strings are rusty, whether the bridges are stable and not loose, and whether the lacquer surface is uniform and free of scratches. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to take extra care of your guzheng and learn more daily maintenance tips to prevent cracking, which will better extend the lifespan of your guzheng.

When buying a guzheng in the US, the key lies in the legitimacy of the channel, the quality of the product, and its suitability for you. A good guzheng can accompany you for a long time and go through a long but meaningful journey with you.

Wishing you a smooth search for a fine-sounding and well-made guzheng, and a pleasant shopping experience!