Cimbalom

The cimbalom is a large orchestral Hungarian dulcimer that was invented by Jozsef V. Schunda in Budapest, around 1874. Technically, it is a hammered box zither built with a trapeziform case with legs, a heavier frame with metal strings arranged in groups of four (treble strings) or three (bass strings), tuned in unison, and dampers operated by a pedal. The instrument has a chromatic compass, small wooden bridges with steel wire saddles, and four roses on the soundboard. This particular example no longer has the pedal, and the legs cannot be assembled because the threaded tenons are damaged. One of the legs is not from this instrument. Two hammers are still present.