The Chao Gong is a very elegant and distinctive gong
that produces a full and sustained wash of musical overtones. Its beauty and
its traditional appearance make it a centerpiece in any space, indoors or
outdoors. This style of gong dates from the Han Dynasty where it was used for
spiritual drumming, large meetings, and to announce the procession of important
people. In more modern times, the Chao gong has found a place in different
genres of music, most notably symphony orchestras.
The Chao Gong, otherwise known as a tam-tam, is one
of the most familiar-looking Chinese gongs. The Chao gong differs in shape from
the wind gong in that it has a rim around the outside edge. It also has a very
distinctive "target" appearance. It is made of a bronze alloy which
is roughly 80% copper and 20% tin, and the crafting process is a mixture of
hand hammering and working the bronze on a lathe while carefully heating and
cooling the metal. On the Chao gong, the center spot and outside rim retain the
black copper oxide that forms when the gong is made. On the rest of the gong,
this coating is removed and the surface is polished. Chao gongs are available
in a range of sizes, with each size having its own distinct full sound. Smaller
sizes have a rich but higher sound while the larger sizes are deeper and ring
with more power and sustain.
What is BLEMISHED?
Blemished, or Scratch & Dent, products are new
and unused with superficial irregularities that do not affect the playability
or sound quality of the instrument. The irregularities may include, finish blisters,
scratches, dents, stains, discoloration, rust or pitting on metals, imperfect
glazes, non-structural repairs such as putty in nail holes, or other surface
marks. These blemished products have codes that end in -1(s) and -2(s). A
product designated as -1 or -1S has minor blemishes and a product code ending
in -2 or -2S has moderate blemishes and/or minor repairs.