Made in America, made for everyone.

Zithers / lap harps handcrafted to reflect the inspiration of the Appalachian Spirit.

 

Sharing the Joy of Music

“Music…gives wings to the mind, a soul to the universe, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, a life to everything.”   ~ Plato

Music has always brought joy to our family. Founded in 2013, it has been the mission of Appalachian Spirit Folk Instruments to share the joy of music with aspiring musicians of all ages, regardless of skill level or ability.  Continuing a tradition which found its way to the Appalachian region almost two centuries ago, we create handcrafted instruments of the highest quality which offer instant musical success and enjoyment.

 
 

Our Zithers

Traditional Zithers

Traditional Zithers

Heirloom Zithers

Heirloom Zithers

Creative Nature Zithers

Creative Nature Zithers

 
 

Quality & Craftsmanship

Quality hand crafted folk instruments that reflect the beauty of the Appalachian spirit.

 
 

…Beautiful Craftsmanship and Sound

“We met Bill, Liza, and Debbie at The Great Homeschool Convention in South Carolina this Spring. They were all so friendly and knowledgeable. We love the beautiful craftsmanship and sound of the Zithers they make. We were shocked at how affordable they made it to purchase our daughter an instrument that the whole family enjoys playing."

- M. Nelson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Zither Sheet Music

Caring for your Zither

Need more Strings or a Tuner?

FAQs

 

What key are your zithers tuned to?

Our zithers are tuned to a two octave G Major scale to match the musical arrangements in the World of Harmony zither music books. We can tune the zithers to a different key (C, D, etc.) upon request.

How long will it take to receive my order?

Please allow up to two weeks to create and ship your order. However, check with us as we may also have zithers available for shipment within two business days. We’ll be glad to assist you!

How are your zithers shipped?

We ship via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 day service) within the United States. Shipping and handling charges will vary based on the number of zithers ordered and your shipping address. We now offer shipping outside the United States via USPS International Package Service! International delivery times will vary. Note: Due to Customs delays related to Covid-19, international delivery times may be longer.

+ Click to read more FAQs

Do your zithers come with a tuning key (tuning wrench)?

All our zithers come with a Zither Accessory Pack which includes a tuning wrench, music pick and extra music wire.

Are some wood types better for dry climates? Is a humidifier needed in the instrument case or instrument?

In a climate controlled environment, like your home, any of our woods should do fine. If you experience extreme dry conditions, especially in the winter due to heated air, you may want to have a simple humidifier in the room where you keep your zither and any other musical instruments you may have. With any instrument, you want to always protect against extremes in temperatures and environment, like heat from direct sunlight. You should never leave any wooden stringed instrument in a vehicle.

What size are your zithers?

Our zithers are approximately 15.75" long x 8.25" wide x 2.5" high.

What is your return policy?

All instruments and accessories are shipped insured and is warrantied for thirty days after arrival against manufacturer defect. If your package should arrive damaged, please retain all packaging and contact us as soon as possible.

We also guarantee the music wire for life and will be glad to send you more at no charge if you should ever need it.

Where may I get more music wire for my zither?

From us! We guarantee the music wire for life and will be glad to send you more at no charge if you should ever need it.

Do you sell tuning wrenches?

Yes, while all our zithers come with a Zither Accessory Pack, you may also purchase them on our website for $10.00 (including shipping).

Do different woods affect the sound of the zithers?

We use all solid woods found in the Appalachian region: Southern Pine, Poplar, Cherry, Walnut, Maple, Appalachian Ash and Oak. Appalachian Ash and Oak are the harder of these woods and some listeners may hear a slightly brighter sound from them. Southern Pine and Poplar tend to have a slightly more mellow tone. Cherry, Walnut and Maple fall in the middle of that range. All the woods we use have been chosen because they make beautiful (and beautiful sounding), sturdy instruments that, when properly cared for, will last for generations.

How do I tune my zither? How do I change a string?

Please visit the "Caring for Your Zither" page on our website. There you'll find videos to guide you with tuning your zither as well as changing zither strings when needed. For tuning we recommend Pano Tuner, a free app available for Apple or Android devices. Other chromatic tuners work well too. Your tuner should be set to the sharp (#) setting.

What gauge of music wire do you use for your zither strings?

We use 0.014 gauge for the middle G string to the upper G string on our instruments. We use 0.016 gauge for the lower G to lower F#.

Can the zither be amplified?

Yes! We use a mini-amp and pickup for our own zither when playing at events. We recommend these from Sweetwater.com: For the amplifier we suggest the Fender Mini '65 Twin 2x3" Combo Amp and for the pickup the Dean Markley 3000 Artist Transducer Acoustic Pickup.

We’d love to hear from you!