I got a sitar

X

Xdrummer

New member
I was gifted a sitar for Xmas (actually for my birthday a couple of days after X-mas).

I originally thought I would get it a year ago, but the logistics of getting it from California to Wisconsin were complicated.

My brother in law bought it in 1969 when he was in Bombay - and it's basically been sitting around unused since. It needs all new strings and will likely need some set-up to adjust the "frets"

I've been trying to find someone in southeastern Wisconsin who can work on a Sitar but it would appear not many people do/can - I found one luthier who previously worked on sitars, but he no longer does because "they're a pain in the ass" and he has plenty of guitar work to keep him busy. I'm guessing I'd have beeter luck finding a tech is I were in L.A. or San Francisco.

I'm sure I'll evenutaul get this thiing in working order and will then spend hours upon hours trying to learn to play (as I've done when I taught myself several other insturments).

Does anyone have any suggested education resources in southeastern Wisconsin or on-line (I've found some rather basic information on-line but nother that really seems to be exceptional.
 
I can't imagine with as many Indians in the US there are not more Sitar techs. I would look in one of the Temples if you have any in the area.
 
I've worked on just about every type stringed instrument out there in my time but in over 30 years I have yet to be asked to set up a sitar..... I'd jump at it...

You may be better off looking for a maker that specialises in early fretted or folk instruments like the dulcimer or hurdy gurdy. Just a thought...
 
Thanks for the suggestion!!!!

DM60 - I had not thought of that, I will be checking to see if there is a temple or other "cummunity gathering place"

Muttley - I too would thnk a guitar tech/luthier would welcome a chance to work on a sitar - and I did find a couple of techs at the larger local music stores (including a dreaded "Guitar Center") who said they would be willing to "try" (the guy at Guitar Center sounded enthusiastic and indicated he would immediately start research the internet to learn what he could - I suggested he hold off for now).

I'm guessing someone will charge me about $80 to string/set-up a sitar (the strings will cost about $30 alone) - for that amount, I don't want someone who will "try" - I can try for no more than the cost of strings. I would prefer t find someone who has actual experiance.

I did find a store about 80 miles away that does focus on instruments such as ducimers, etc. - but they did not express interest in trying work on a sitar.

I've talked to the 7 "main" music stores in town - and there are still a couple of smaller stores I neeed to check with - after that I may have to look at the temple thing and if that fails, I may have to hit all the local conveniance stores (most of which are owned/operated by people of mid-eastern heritage).
 
Out of curiosity, how do you pronounce "sitar"? Is the i long or short? It's one of those words that I've seen in print plenty of times, but I've never actually heard it out loud.
 
Tadpui said:
Out of curiosity, how do you pronounce "sitar"? Is the i long or short? It's one of those words that I've seen in print plenty of times, but I've never actually heard it out loud.
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I think it is pronounced Sit ar. I could be wrong. Speaking of which, check out this lady. Anoushka Shankar: "Traces of You" concert live in Dortmund

She uses the Sitar with Western style music, plus she burns it up (No, she really shreds this thing). Might give you a good idea of the possibilities.
 
It is pronouced sit (as in not standing) and arrrrr (as in a pirate finishing a sentence .......... give me some rum, arrrrrrrrr!)
 
DM60 said:
I think it is pronounced Sit ar. I could be wrong. Speaking of which, check out this lady. Anoushka Shankar: "Traces of You" concert live in Dortmund

She uses the Sitar with Western style music, plus she burns it up (No, she really shreds this thing). Might give you a good idea of the possibilities.
Click to expand...

There was just an article in (I think Electronic Musician) in which her engineer discusses the best ways to record a sitar - I found it rather timely for my needs.
 
Xdrummer said:
It is pronouced sit (as in not standing) and arrrrr (as in a pirate finishing a sentence .......... give me some rum, arrrrrrrrr!)
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Maybe closer to Sit Are, but I guess if you said, hey, can you fix my sitarrrrr, may scare the hell out of somebody and get a discount.
 
Tadpui said:
Out of curiosity, how do you pronounce "sitar"? Is the i long or short? It's one of those words that I've seen in print plenty of times, but I've never actually heard it out loud.
Click to expand...

Over here we say it like "shitter", you know like the thing you shit in....

si·ta is the accepted... and we are just English cockney's..
 
muttley600 said:
Over here we say it like "shitter", you know like the thing you shit in....

si·ta is the accepted... and we are just English cockney's..
Click to expand...

Ok now I'm definitely going with "shit-arrr", to combine the English and pirate versions.
 
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