It worked! Making a Guitar Sound Like a Sitar

[vulcanman]

We really need a forum section to discuss Music Gear.

So this weekend I decided to do a simple mod to my son's guitar to see if we could make it sound like a Sitar. I did some quick research ... went to the store and bought a wooden spoon to raise the strings higher and to equal height.

What do you think ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLgtUMwlpoA

 

[SViper]

It does sound like a sitar. Interesting mod. Never heard of doing that one.

 

[Poulsonator]

Cool mod!

 

[Fear No Evil]

How long until we get a video of your son posting that his cheapass dad bought him a wooden spoon instead of the sitar he wanted? LOL

 

[Wyndru]

Neat! I'm surprised you didn't have any issues with sustain or the strings "buzzing" against the spoon.

 

[JTsyo]

ohh a Sitar
Not much jamming on that I imagine.

 

[Ryland]

That is cool and sounds great.

 

[eldorado99]

That is amazing it works that well.

 

[vulcanman]

Neat! I'm surprised you didn't have any issues with sustain or the strings "buzzing" against the spoon.

Here is what you do ... you loosen the strings ... insert the spoon (it has to be thicker than the gap). Tighten the strings and the spoon is held in place. The spoon has to be even so that all strings end up being lifted the same height.

 

[Fritzo]

Here is what you do ... you loosen the strings ... insert the spoon (it has to be thicker than the gap). Tighten the strings and the spoon is held in place. The spoon has to be even so that all strings end up being lifted the same height.

It would seem like the wood on the spoon would have a muting effect...is that what makes the sound? If not, maybe try putting some grooves in the spoon?

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Woah thats pretty amazing

Also oriental music for us ocidental folks always has this "magical" thing going on, really nice

 

[Saint Nick]

Who is playing the tablas? They sound like good tablas.

 

[thelanx]

Wouldn't that mess up the intonation?

 

[Nik]

Good job, but... why would you want to do that? Citar sounds horrible...

 

[konakid7]

Interesting mod, that's pretty cool. Sitars can add a refreshing dimension to songs sometimes.

 

[vulcanman]

Interesting mod, that's pretty cool. Sitars can add a refreshing dimension to songs sometimes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitar_in_popular_music

 

[OCGuy]

Why would you want to ruin the beautiful sound of an acoustic guitar

 

[lxskllr]

Right on! I like it. Sitar's the shit, but difficult to play if you aren't dedicated to it. That looks like a good way to get some of the feel, without the learning curve :^)

 

[tcsenter]

Close enough for $1.99!

 

[fustercluck]

Kind of a neat mod, not sure why you need a sitar though.

 

[Iron Woode]

its been done before:

1966 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mQkFpkShg

 

[vulcanman]

Why would you want to ruin the beautiful sound of an acoustic guitar

Hmm ... not sure. But probably the same reason why distortion pedals are popular ... perhaps ?

 

[vulcanman]

its been done before:

1966 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mQkFpkShg

neat. thx //

 

[Q]

Nice little jam, enjoyed it!

 

[dabuddha]

nice job!