Guitar

Kobza (Ukrainian)

Ukraine
Eastern Europe

Wood, metal
Late 20th century

Length: 41 in, Width: 13.5 in, Depth: 3.5 in

This Ukrainian Kobza with a guitar-type bridge is called an "accompaniment kobza." It has 12 metal strings, 20 metal frets, and 12 mechanized tuning pegs with white acrylic grips. It can be tuned like a bass guitar, a normal 12-string guitar, or like the 7-string Russian guitar. Playing this fretted type of kobza is usually with a plectrum. The head (scroll top) is carved into a hook hanging over the front of the instrument. The face of the sounding body is made of a lighter wood with a white acrylic tailpiece affixed just under the center of the body. The circular sound hole is surrounded with a floral painted trim, and the left side of the instrument has a matching floral scene with a large bird. The painting is in light and dark green, red, yellow, gold, and white. The sides of the body have a white acrylic trim on either side wrapping the front and back of the teardrop-shaped body.

Owner:
Catalog#: 2CL-CHLT-93

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