Jews Harp Big vargan by Pavel Potkin

Well, I had one of these instruments at the age of 6yo, and is probably still around somewhere. I have been a singer-songwriter nearly life long and got it in my head to fold this sound into a song mix. I searched and researched and yes price was an issue. So, while I still feel this is a bit pricey for what it is, it is the one I got.No case, and came in layered foam, -- then shipped in a soft bag, - bad on the shipper, but -- good for the maker to "sleeve" it that way. I was ziplock bagged too, but think it should be distributed in a box, or with one of those hard "cases". It's just a slip of wood that protects the string and cost's pennies to make, -- so, I'll pick up a piece of scrap, chisel a gouge, drill that hole and have one 5 mins later. But for this price to now included it, - it would be cheaper than the good foam, tape and bag otherwise used with labor to bind all that.OK, so for tone, volume - yes, good. It is what it is, what else could it be. As far as the "pitch" I didn't run it by a tuner, and since your mouth would matter.Do remember, you have to press it against your teeth for it to make a sound. And, you push it in/out for as you are comfortable. Then, shape your mouth, tongue and use dynamics, rhythm. However, it's basically boing, boing, boing... - so is up to you.If you get it for a child who likes "boing", be prepared to hear it allot, so think about that first. I would not get this one for a child, - only a "musician"; it is not a "toy".

Most people aren't going to try to adjust this unit, and it works OK, as is. Higher quality units have tighter tolerances re: the space between the tongue sides and the 'arms'. With skill this instrument can be squeezed down to have tighter gaps and it makes a nice difference. Definitely worthy of any hoe-down.