Poltavka
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The "Poltavka" is a bandura originally designed by the Honcharenko brothers as a Kharkiv-style bandura with accidental strings, like the Kyiv-style bandura. It is named in recognition of the input from the members of the Poltava Bandurist Capella. This overall design without the accidentals is sometimes called a "Poltavka" too. They can be played Kyiv style, Kharkiv style, or Poltava style.
Designs
These blueprints are for the Honcharenko Poltavkas with lever mechanism design. The full quality downloads are at the bottom of this article.
Sheet 1
Sheet 2
Twist Mechanism
The twist mechanism was the first mechanism developed by the Honcharenkos.
Pros:
- You can play over the whole string (i.e. near the bridge and near the upper shemstok). The accidentals do not get in the way of the right hand, and because they come out under the string at the shemstok you can play the sharps with the left hand as well
- They are adjustable so that you can regulate the semitone changers so that they retune accurately.
- With humidity changes, when the sound board expands as it takes on moisture and puffs up, the strings don't buzz against the changers.
Cons:
- More difficult to engage or disengage the mechanism
Lever Mechanism
The lever mechanism was developed later by the Honcharenkos.
Pros:
- Easier to engage or disengage the mechanism
Cons:
- You can't play near the bridge and you have to play with the right hand very high and this tires the right hand a lot. Also you can't play accidentals with your left hand along the обечайка.
- The way the semitone changers are regulated often means that either the string is buzzing or you can't regulate it to correctly adjust by a single semitone.
- With changes in humidity, when the soundboard takes on moisture and expands, the regulation goes out and the instrument buzzes.
- More expensive to produce because of the metal. According to V. Mishalow, Vetzal's mechanisms used to cost US$800 (c.1995).
Builders
People who built Poltavkas:
