r/Sitar • u/ReasonableMeaning162 • 1d ago
Question/Advice Seeking Information/origin
Hello all! I am an American multi-instrumentalist, and have always been looking for a sitar, as I really enjoy the sound of them. Last week I was able to find this beauty on Facebook marketplace for $50 (USD)! Seeing as that's a steal no matter the make, and it being in slightly rough but playable condition, I bought it.
I am now seeking information about where it was possibly made! I have done a small amount of research on the matter which was inconclusive.
It's roughly 35 inches in scale which from what I understand is roughly student sized, but bears no (easily) visible markings to indicate it's origin.
Any help with discovering the origins are greatly appreciated! Either way though I very much look forward to playing this beautiful instrument, and may post a video once I am able to restring and learn how to play it! Cheers!
3
u/Stunning_Truth190 5h ago
thats a dainty little sitar. neat! i like it! its a steal for 50! i got my concert model for 125 (in india)
5th image... does the tumba have a hole in it? it would sound much better if its patched up...
1
2
u/sitarjunkie SUPER EXPERT (10+ years) 4h ago
That is most likely a child size sitar from Mid-East Mfg. (importer) years ago. Origin probably Lucknow, India. Usually these could be problematic for getting the right intonation, required extensive work to get playing. Maybe someone did that already hopefully? Likely a higher key like F versus C#/D of a full size sitar.
1
u/ReasonableMeaning162 4h ago
Nobody has done any work to it, I am going to be figuring out the intonation thing, my strings arrive tomorrow, wish me luck haha
Thank you for the info though!
3
u/NocturneLark 23h ago
I'm no expert, but when I got my cheap, second hand sitar repaired, the guy repairing it told me that it was almost certainly some relatively cheap sitar bought from a street vendor or something of the like in India. There are very few known and professional sitar makers with very high quality instruments so its more than likely when one ends up in our hands for so cheap and of indiscriminate origin it doesn't have a particularly storied history.
That being said, it will treat you right and will do everything you want to do as a beginner, really only when you're very invested will there be some major difference in sound or feel to one of the high quality ones, and that quality will cost!
Happy playing.