Why do some guzhengs have side edges? Does that affect the sound quality?
The side edges are originated from some Yangzhou companies that use plywood with thin layer of hard wood as the frame. In order to cover the fact that only a thin layer of the hard wood is used, the makers created the side edges. The side edges do not affect the sound quality of a guzheng. We do not recommend any guzhengs with side edges, because the first and the last bridges often hit the side edges and make a noise while playing.
