Best Sitar & Best Sitar Brands
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Are you looking for a great sitar to play? A sitar is a plucked string instrument that has been popularly played in the Classical Indian music. It has sympathetic strings that are tuned to vibrate and produce sound when the strings are touched.
The sitar is tuned to a classical scale that is played with a pick referred as mezrab. There are a plethora of things you need to consider when buying a sitar. This is because a good sitar consists of numerous things. This write-up is a guide for you that will help you in choosing the best sitar.
What are the Best Sitars?
Take a look at the factors to pay attention to when buying a sitar.
Factors to Look Out For When Buying a Sitar
We have highlighted some of the things you need to focus on when selecting a sitar.
Material
The first thing you need to consider is the materials of the sitar. The material used for neck, face, body, and bridge are all important. The quality of the materials is also vital as it makes the instrument durable and strong.
Style
The sitars are available in 2 basic styles. The most used style is the Ravi Shankar style or KharajPancham, it has 7 main strings. The other style is the Vilayat Khan Style or GanharPancham, it has 6 main strings.
Meend
Another thing you need to focus is the meend. The meend is the ability to bend or pull the main strings for an extensive range of notes. Meend provides the sitar its vocal quality and gives the player a smooth transition from one note to another.
Response
Next thing you need to focus on is the sympathetic response of the sitar. The sympathetic (Taraf) strings add resonance and volume to your sound. A well-tuned sitar has a resonance that it reacts to the slightest touch of the player.
5 Best Sitars and the Best Sitar Brands
Here are some of the most used sitars by all levels of musicians.
1) Maharaja Musicals Electric Sitar
One of the most popular sitars is the Maharaja Musical Electric Sitar. This sitar has KharajPancham style and is made using Tun wood. It features a ¼ inches jack with 7 main strings and 13 Taraf strings. These strings are tuned with traditional sitar pegs. The main strings are tuned with guitar style pegs. This makes tuning easy allowing you to have a wider range of notes.
The bridge is made from camel bones that make it robust. The sitar is handcrafted with great craftsmanship. The performance of the sitar is smooth and great for kinds of occasions.
It comes with a Piezo pickup that allows you to play sitar with great precision. It has a single wooden toomba that helps in producing a warm, rich and great sound. The volume and tone controls are located in the front. The Maharaja Electric Sitar is ideal option to produce electric sound for any band.
The aesthetics of the sitar includes an exquisite inlay work with floral carving. The color of the Maharaja Sitar is a natural wood color that is made more appealing with the carving.
The Maharaja Musicals Electric Studio Edition Sitar is a great choice for all musicians.
2) Banjira Standard Sitar w/ Padded Gig Bag
Next on the list is the Banjira Standard Sitar. This sitar features 5 main strings, 11 sympathetic strings, and 2 chikari strings. The sitar has a double fiberglass small toomba that helps in producing bright, rich and clear resonance.
The sitar is handcrafted making it special and one of a kind. The body, gourd, and neck of the sitar have a brown finish. It has a beautiful carving and a glossy finish that makes it appealing. The frets on the fretboard are 20 that are adjustable and the bridge is made of bone. This makes the sitar strong and increases its longevity.
The soundboard of the sitar has tuning beads and 2 swan tuning bead. This enables you to have access to wide range of notes. The sitar is designed to offer great transition of notes and to provide excellent performance. With the slightest touch, it can produce a clear and bright tone.
Moreover, the Banjira Standard Sitar comes with a padded gig bag that will keep your sitar safe. For easy playing, a mezrab is also provided and a tuning guide. You can tune your sitar without any trouble.
3) Sardar Sitar, Professional, Nylon Bag
One of the most used sitars is the Sardar Sitar. This sitar has double toomba that is made using quality materials. The main strings are 5 with 13 sympathetic strings and 2 chikari strings.
This sitar has floral main tuning pegs that offer an extensive range of high and low notes. Changing the notes is not a trouble, thanks to its easy tuning capability. The sound the sitar creates is warm, nice and amazing. The tonal quality of the sitar is articulate and excellent.
The total length of the sitar is 49 inches making it great for professionals. The player experience and performance it offers is exceptional and fantastic. The style of this sitar is Ravi Shankar that makes it easy to play. It brings a classical touch to music and complements any music style.
For your convenience, it is available with a nylon bag for storing it away safely. The mezrab will help you play it smoothly and easily. The tuning guide will help you to tune it perfectly so it can produce articulate and great resonance.
4) G. Rosul Sitar
Another choice for all musicians is the G. Rosul Sitar. It is a professional quality sitar with double toomba. The Sitar features 5 main strings with 13 sympathetic strings and 2 chikari strings. This sitar is individually handcrafted making it unique and special.
It is a hybrid instrument that unites the classic and modern music styles. The style of the sitar is the Ravi Shankar style that produces a sweet, deep and crisp sound. The tuning of the sitar is easy allowing you to have a various high and low notes. The player experience this sitar offers is exceptional.
The length of this sitar is nearly 48 to 49 inches. The body dimensions are 10 .5 inches x 11 inches x 14 inches. It comes with an extra set of strings and mezrabs. For easy learning, tuning guide and information is available.
For storing the sitar, a padded nylon gig bag is provided. This will help you in protecting it from all elements. You can easily transport the sitar without causing any damage.
The G. Rosul Sitar is an ideal choice for bringing a classical touch to modern day music. This makes it great for all levels of players.
5) MKS Electric Sitar, Single Flat Tumba, KharajPancham, Mahogany Color
The MKS Electric Sitar by Maharaja Musicals has single flat toomba and has a KharajPancham style. It features 7 main string with 13 sympathetic strings that are designed to provide quality sound.
The bridge is produced using camel bones and the body is manufactured using tun wood. This makes the sitar durable and long lasting. It comes professionally tuned to offer you the clarity in tonal quality. You can get a wide range of notes with accuracy. This sitar is handcrafted that provides an excellent sound.
Furthermore, the color of the sitar is black that is made more interesting with the delicate celluloid inlay work. This MKS Electric Sitar has a ¼ inch jack that allows you to connect it to an amplifier without any difficulty. You can play this sitar without an amp as well. The length of the sitar is 42 inches and weight is nearly 3 to 4 KG.
The sitar comes with a fiber case that will protect it from dust and water. You can carry it safely around with you in the case.
Choosing the Best Sitar from the Best Sitar Brands
Therefore, with so many sitars available on the market, you can get confused which one to buy. There are many aspects that you need to consider when buying a sitar. You need to give preference to the materials, quality of the materials used, style of the sitar and meend.
Other things you should focus on is the aesthetics of the sitar, the weight, difference between the strings, the neck, and the pegs. Along with this, you should pay attention to the frets, main toomba and your budget.
These tips will help you get the correct sitar for your needs. It may save you time and money as you will know how to get the right sitar.
Which factors did you consider when you bought a sitar?
Let us know in the comments below.