The fretted zither is an instrument native to Germany. It has a fingerboard affixed to its soundboard, like that of a guitar but much shorter in length. Of all the variations of zithers, the fretted zither is the only that has any true musical versatility. It can be played in any key, major or minor, and all possible chords. Five strings pass over this fingerboard, and the performer plays these strings like a guitar, picking them with the right hand and making various different notes by pushing down on the strings with the left hand.

This particular instrument dates back the early 1900's and was made by (or for) the Carl Fischer Company based here in New York.""