Electric sitar

2021-07-04T13:59:19Z

2A02:A444:28DB:1:504F:EF84:5B95:E08E: I added the Cliff Richard song Summer Rain to the list, also featuring a Sitar guitar

{{more citations needed|date=March 2012}}
[[Image:Star's Electric Sitar RD (vertical).jpg|thumb|Star's Electric Sitar,<ref name=Star's>{{cite web |title=Star's Electric Sitar |url=http://quest-md.com/en/our-products/stars/ |publisher=Quest International Ltd |access-date=2017-11-25}}</ref> a copy of <br/>Coral/[[Danelectro]] Electric Sitar 3S19<ref name=VintageDanelectro.com_Sitar>{{cite book |chapter=The Worlds First Electric Sitar |title=Danelectro Bellzouki, Hawaiian Lapsteel, and The Electric Sitar |url=http://vintagedanelectro.com/sitar.html |work=VintageDanelectro.com |quote={{smaller|1=''Late 1960s Coral Sitar 3S19 Image [http://vintagedanelectro.com/sitar-bellzki/coral-sitar-on-gig-bag_0093.jpg Image 1 (with Original Gig Bag)], [http://vintagedanelectro.com/sitar-bellzki/coral-sitar-close.jpg 2], [http://vintagedanelectro.com/sitar-bellzki/coral-sitar.jpg 3], [http://vintagedanelectro.com/sitar-bellzki/coral-sitar-case.jpg 4 (with Original Hard Case)]}} |access-date=2017-11-25}}</ref>]]


An '''electric sitar''' is a type of [[electric guitar]] designed to mimic the sound of the [[sitar]], a traditional [[musical instrument]] of [[India]]. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these instruments bear varying degrees of resemblance to the traditional sitar. Most resemble the [[electric guitar]] in the style of the [[Solid body|body]] and [[headstock]], though some have a body shaped to resemble that of the sitar (such as a model made by [[Danelectro]]).

==History==
The instrument was developed in the late 1960s by session guitarist [[Vinnie Bell]] in partnership with [[Danelectro]].<ref name="sitarpatent">{{cite patent
| inventor1-last = Gambella
| inventor1-first = Vincent
| inventorlink = http://www.vinniebell.com/
| inventor2-last = Daniel
| inventor2-first = Nathan
| inventorlink2 =
| title = Bridge Construction in Guitar-like Instruments
| issue-date = 1969
| description = A bridge for stringed musical instruments of the guitar or sitar type having a relatively wide upper surface which is contacted linearly by the strings, the bridge having a front to rear convexly arcuate upper surface and being angularly adjustable by rocking and then locking the bridge in a desired position. The rocking adjustment of the bridge effectively shifts the position of contact by the strings axially of the instrument in accordance with requirements of dimensional guitar characteristics.
| patent-number = 3422715
| country-code = US}}</ref> At the time, many [[Western world|western]] musical groups began to use the sitar, which is generally considered a difficult instrument to learn.<ref name="hipwax">{{cite news
|url=http://www.hipwax.com/music/oddpop/sitar.html
|publisher=Hyp Records
|title=Odd Pop: Pop Sitar
|author=HypWax
|date=December 14, 1998
}}</ref> By contrast, the electric sitar, with its standard guitar fretboard and tuning, is a more familiar fret arrangement for a guitarist to play. The twangy sitar-like tone comes from a flat bridge adding the necessary buzz to the guitar strings.

==Configuration==
In addition to the six playing strings, most electric sitars have [[sympathetic string]]s, typically located on the left side of the instrument (though some do not have these). These strings have their own [[Pickup (music technology)|pickups]] (typically [[lipstick pickup]]s are used for both sets of strings), and are usually tuned with a harp wrench (a difficult process). A unique type of [[Bridge (instrument)|bridge]], a "buzz bridge", developed by Vinnie Bell, helps give the instrument its distinctive [[Jivari|sound]]. Some electric sitars have [[Drone (music)|drone]] strings in lieu of sympathetic strings. A few models, such as the Jerry Jones "Baby" sitar, lack both sympathetic and drone strings, while still retaining the distinctive buzz bridge.

The "sympathetic" strings on most electric sitars do not resonate strongly enough to match the effect of an acoustic sitar. There are resonant chambers in the solid-body instruments that have Masonite tops, however it is not enough to excite the 13 strings into true sympathy. The strings are tensioned over two rosewood bridges with fret material as saddles so the sound is more like an [[autoharp]] than a sitar.

Versions of the electric sitar were also developed mainly in India. These are smaller sized sitars that look like a sitar. These sitars are tuned the same way as the original classical sitar would be tuned.

==Usage==

Because the tone quality and playing technique differ significantly from that of the sitar, it is typically used in rock, jazz, and [[Fusion (music)|fusion]] styles. Notable early hit singles featuring electric sitar include [[Eric Burdon and the Animals]]' "[[Monterey (Eric Burdon and the Animals song)|Monterey]]", [[Joe South]]'s "[[Games People Play (Joe South song)|Games People Play]]", [[Stevie Wonder]]'s "[[I Was Made to Love Her (song)|I Was Made to Love Her]]" (played by [[Eddie Willis]]) and "[[Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours|Signed, Sealed, Delivered]]", [[B.J. Thomas]]' "[[Hooked on a Feeling]]" (played by [[Reggie Young]]), The [[The Spinners (American band)|Spinners]]' "It's a Shame", [[The Box Tops]] "[[Cry Like a Baby]]" as well as some sides by [[The Stylistics]] and [[The Delfonics]].

Other recording artists who have featured the electric sitar include:

Elvis Presley " 1969 America Sound recording sessions" "Stranger In My Hometown", "You'll Think Of Me"

* [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] ("Snowblind Friend", played by producer [[Richard Podolor]])
* [[Mandrake Memorial]]
* [[Kronos Quartet]]
* [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] (in "[[I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)]]", "[[Dancing with the Moonlit Knight]]")
* [[Yes (band)|Yes]] (in "[[Close to the Edge (song)|Close To The Edge]]", "[[Siberian Khatru]]", "[[Tales From Topographic Oceans]]", "To Be Over", "[[Into the Lens|Into The Lens]]") and their guitarist Steve Howe on his solo albums
* [[Mike Oldfield]] used it on "Flying Start" (on ''[[Islands (Mike Oldfield album)|Islands]]'')
* [[The Clash]] (in "Armagideon Time")
* [[Todd Rundgren]]
* [[Redbone (band)|Redbone]] ("[[Come and Get Your Love]]")
* [[Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods]] ("Who Do You Think You Are?")
* [[The Grass Roots]] "Glory Bound"
* [[Guns N' Roses]] (in "[[Pretty Tied Up]]")
* [[Lenny Kravitz]] ("[[It Ain't Over 'til It's Over]]" and "[[Again (Lenny Kravitz song)|Again]]")
* [[Robbie Dupree]] ("[[Steal Away (Robbie Dupree song)|Steal Away]]")
* [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]
* [[Dinosaur Jr.]] (in "[[The Wagon]]")
* [[R.E.M.]]
* [[Metallica]] (in "[[Wherever I May Roam]]")
* [[Steely Dan]] (in "[[Do It Again (Steely Dan song)|Do It Again]]")
* [[Paul Young]] (in "[[Everytime You Go Away]]")
* [[Tom Petty]] (in "[[Don't Come Around Here No More]]")
* [[Dan Fogelberg]] (in "Nexus")
* [[George Duke]] and [[Stanley Clarke]] in ("[[Sweet Baby (Stanley Clarke and George Duke song)|Sweet Baby]]")
* [[Carlos Santana|Santana]]
* [[Roy Wood]]
* [[Eric Johnson (guitarist, born 1954)|Eric Johnson]]
* Mystical Sun
* [[Pearl Jam]] (in "Who You Are")
* [[Screaming Trees]] in "Halo of Ashes"
* [[Redd Kross]] (in "Play My Song")
* [[Alice in Chains]] (in "[[What the Hell Have I]]")
* [[Ugly Kid Joe]] (in "[[Cats in the Cradle#Ugly Kid Joe version|Cats in the Cradle]]")
*[[The All-American Rejects]] (in <nowiki>''Night Drive''</nowiki>)
* [[Torsten de Winkel]]
* [[Flower Travellin' Band]]
* [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
* [[The Cure]]
* [[Manic Street Preachers]] (in "[[Tsunami (Manic Street Preachers song)|Tsunami]]" and "I'm Not Working")
* [[The Mission (band)|The Mission]] (on "[[Beyond The Pale, Hymn (For America), Sea Of Love, Deliverance - Children & Carved In Sand albums]]
* [[Hiroshi Takano]]
* [[Miyavi]]
* [[Sugizo]]
* [[hide (musician)|hide]]
* [[Clarence White]]
* [[Ronnie Wood]]
* [[Kaoru (musician)|Kaoru]] of [[Dir en grey]]
* [[Pat Metheny]] (notably on "Last Train Home")
* [[Sigh (band)|Sigh]]
* [[Steve Vai]] (notably on "[[For the Love of God (instrumental)|For the Love of God]]")
* [[Rory Gallagher]] (in "Philby")
* [[Mint Royale]]
* [[Steve Miller (musician)|Steve Miller]]
* [[Eddie Van Halen]] (on "[[Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love]]" & "[[Van Halen III|Primary]]")
* [[Tony Hicks]] of [[The Hollies]]
* Schizo Da Maddcap
* Rob Mastrianni (Beatbox Guitar, Next Tribe).
* Raagnagrok is a contemporary duo using electric sitar and electronic.
* Khalil Balakrishna, when playing live for [[Miles Davis]].
* [[Blasted Mechanism]]
* [[Ruban Nielson]] of [[Unknown Mortal Orchestra]]
*[[Cliff Richard]] - Summer Rain (played by [[Alan Tarney]])

Although [[George Harrison]] is generally credited with introducing the sitar into popular music, he is not known to have played a bona fide electric version on any recording.

On his award-winning 1969 instrumental rendition of the [[Joe South]] tune "[[Games People Play (Joe South song)|Games People Play]]" saxophonist [[King Curtis]] teamed with guitarist [[Duane Allman]] on the electric sitar (he also played [[slide guitar]]). This can be found on the Duane Allman album ''[[An Anthology (Duane Allman album)|An Anthology]]''.

The 1971 album ''Somethin' Else'' recorded by [[Danny Davis (country musician)|Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass]] prominently featured an electric sitar, a first for the country music industry. The instrument provided accompaniment on such songs as "Snowbird", "Rose Garden", "Are You from Dixie?" and others.

On [[ABBA]]’s 1979 recording of "[[I Have a Dream (song)|I Have A Dream]]" the refrain is played on an electric sitar. However the recording for the 2008 [[Mamma Mia! (film)|movie version]] of "[[Mamma Mia (ABBA song)|Mamma Mia]]" featured a real [[bouzouki]].<ref>http://www.abbaomnibus.net/ask/qa_apr09.htm</ref>

The 1992 album ''[[Bloody Kisses]]'' by [[Type O Negative]] used an electric sitar in the song "Can't Lose You" played by Paul Bento from the band [[Carnivore (band)|Carnivore]].

[[Glass Hammer]] guitarist Kamran Alan Shikoh performed electric sitar in the band's song from 2009 to his departure in 2018.

In 2010, [[MGMT]] released their album ''[[Congratulations (album)|Congratulations]]'', where the electric sitar was played on many tracks by lead singer and guitarist [[Andrew VanWyngarden]].

Blues musician [[Buddy Guy]] played, among other guitars, a Coral electric sitar in shows on his 2010 tour.

The 2014 album ''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]'' by American neo-soul singer [[D'Angelo]] and backing band The Vanguard, features use of the electric sitar on tracks such as "Another Life" and "The Charade".

The 2015 song "Multi-Love" by [[Unknown Mortal Orchestra]] makes use of the electric sitar.

==Manufacturers==
* [http://www.jerryjonesguitars.com Jerry Jones - Several Sitar Models]
* [http://www.quest-md.com/stars.html Star's - Coral copy Sitar Model]
* [http://www.italiaguitars.com Italia - Modena Sitar]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101127174329/http://pygmyinstruments.com/ Pygmy sitar- electro acoustic sitar models]
* [http://www.rondomusic.com/sitar.html Agile]
* [http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-STR1-Pro-Electric-Sitar-Guitar?sku=519273 Rogue]
* [http://home.mindspring.com/~wylo/id9.html G.S. Wyllie (acoustic, as played by Paul Simon on "Love," from the album ''You're the One'')]
* [http://www.manzer.com/guitars/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=26 Linda Manzer's acoustic model]
* [http://www.kolumbus.fi/versoul/index2.htm Versoul - 12-string acoustic and electric versions]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071231080158/http://www.eyb-guitars.de/Eyb-English/Sitarbridge.html EYB - Sitar bridges made to convert traditional electric guitars to sitar-guitars]
*[https://ofearthandsun.wordpress.com/home/audio-related-art/#jp-carousel-127 M. Hunzeker: Custom Instruments/Sitar Guitar Hybrid]

==See also==
* [[Sitar in popular music]]
* [[Sitar in jazz]]
* [[Danelectro]]
* [[Electric mandolin]]
* [[Electric upright bass]]
* [[Electric violin]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.guitargonauts.info/pick-46.html Article about the Coral Sitar]
* [http://www.marksmart.net/gearhack/sitar/sitar.html Photos and schematics of electric sitar soundboard/controls]
* [http://www.sandroliva.com/JJsitar.html Photos of electric sitar showing closeup of sympathetic strings]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Electric Sitar}}
[[Category:Amplified instruments]]
[[Category:Sitars]]
[[Category:Indian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Electric guitars]]
[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:Rhythm section]]

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Electric sitar