CHARACTERISTICS
The full deco sitar is the top-quality instrument of Monoj Kumar Sardar.
Compared to the single deco model of the same instrument maker, it is not only decorated more lavishly but is also
made from better-seasoned, carefully selected timber and with a higher aim to perfection.
The result is an absolutely harmonious instrument with an especially rounded, balanced sound that meets concert
standard. The full deco sitar of Monoj Kumar Sardar is thus ideal for musicians with a highly developed sense of
quality who prefer a slender, compact and handy sound with good sustain and a great dynamic range. This idea of sound
has become generally accepted in India in the previous decades when microphones and amplifiers became common on
concert stages. The slightly thicker sound board (tabli) which is particularly important for this kind of sound,
however, initially also dims the sound somewhat, requiring a longer break in time before its tone begins to fully
unfold.
FEATURES
Stained medium brown toonwood, mirror-finished shellac surfaces, 7 playing strings (tonal range of four octaves), 13
sympathetic strings, inlaid work of celluloid with stained reddish-brown engravings, base of neck decorated with
carvings (gulab patta), unscrewable upper resonator (tumba), plastic bridges. Two hooks at the uppermost fret allow
an 'unhooking' of the two lowest playing strings, preventing them from being stricken unintentionally whilst playing
fast and vigorously in a medium or high register, which would then create a dark or blurring sound.
The sympathetic strings are guided into the neck at an obtuse angle over tear-proof mini-bridges, reducing the
tendency of the strings to break.
BRIDGE
Great influence on the sound of every sitar has the angle at which the bridge surface (Jowari) has been sanded down.
If the curvature of the surface permits strong partial oscillations of the string on the bridge, a buzzing sound rich
in overtones is created, which is called an open Jowari.
Ravi Shankar made this sound popular and Westerners often feel that this is the typical sound of a sitar. A so-called
closed Jowari, however, creates less overtones and the sound is clear, pithy and singing. Most Indian sitarist prefer
this sound today. As a standard feature our branded sitars therefore have a somewhat closed Jowari. If played
regularly and intensely, in the course of time, due to abrasion the strings dig grooves into the surface of
traditional horn or bone bridges and thus change the relative openess or closedness of the Jowaris. If sanded down
later in a specific manner, the original sound can be restored or the instrument can be adjusted to a different sound.
Since approx. the turn of the millenium Monoj Kumar Sardar sitars feature modern plastic bridges as standard. Their
tone quality is at least equally good as traditional horn bridges, however, they show considerably less signs of
abrasion and therefore don't require being sanded down so often.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The above description is meant to give a rough orientation. Each instrument is a hand-crafted individual and might
differ from the description.
Price: 890,- EURO
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