Balalaika, Prima

Balalaika. Origin Country: Pakistan. Made by Mid-East. The scale length is 430 mm. The body has the classical triangular shape. The Balalaika strings are tuned above middle C to: A, E, E (1st-3rd). The 1st string is the thinnest, and lays over more frets than the 2nd & 3rd strings. Use a piano or electronic tuner as a reference for tuning. The tension on each tuning peg can be adjusted by tightening or loosing the screw on the top of the peg. The dark rosewood on the soundboard is decorative but also protects the soundboard from the strumming. The Balalaika most likely evolved from the Oriental dombra, which is still played in present-day Kazakhstan. Knowledge of the dombra most likely spread to Russia by Mongol trade and conquest. It is said that the Balalaika embodies the Russian people’s character, with its ability to switch from happiness to sadness with ease. For this reason there were times when the Balalaika was banned by both the Orthodox Church and the State. The instrument enjoyed its greatest folk popularity in the early 18th century. In the later 19th century the instrument underwent a number of changes, including the adoption of the classic triangular shape. Reportedly, in the late 19th century, Vassily Vassilievich Andreyev, was responsible for the transition from a Handcrafted Rosewood Stave Construction and classic triangle shape. Padded Nylon Case Included, 27 long. 30 Day No Hassle Return Policy. 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed.