So, I don't know who'll see this, whether just my friends list or what.

Anyway, my latest build, has a vibrating sitar sound on one string when I play it open. I know what's causing hit. For the nut, I cut deep grooves wider than the string, and it's vibrating the length of the string, and hitting another vibrational mode when it "stops" itself by hitting the sides of that groove.

Other than carving deep grooves for all the strings (they're there already anyway, just this one string is doing this, and will only do it when played open), what other way can I get that sitar sound. Sort of like the opening to "Monterey" by the Animals. I'm wondering if it's more than just sympathetic strings. Perhaps looser strings hitting on one of those many metal rings?

Any ideas?

Views: 813

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

David,

 

Not sure if you want to make your whole CBG sound like a sitar (interesting idea!); you seem to have correctly analyzed one way of making the sound, which is having a string vibrate between two nodes

 

Per my Googling habits, I had run across this link to basic sitar construction some time ago. Probably not in the detail you wanted, but it makes an interesting starting point for further exploration:

 

http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/sitar/sitar_making.html

 

There's a vid I ran across this morning that shows how to get a sitar-like sound from an electric guitar, using your palm or fingertips as a right hand technique; you could also use a pick edge, as was done on the intro note to The Beatles' classic, "I Feel Fine." Here's a link to the how-to video:

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Guitar-Sound-Like-a-Sitar

 

And there's this link from Instructables.com :

 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cigar-box-sitar-tamboura/

 

Good luck!

 

Oily

Thanks "Oily".  Can I just call you O'Leo?

You can try ;-)

Looking at that first link, it has a VERY wide bridge on it, and I'm wondering whether the string is just almost resting on the broad expanse, with the positioning groove on one side.  If it were just barely above that wide bone, that could give it that alternate vibrational mode.  The metal rings are frets, and likely the strings are not close enough to the rings to strike them unless fretted.

Yeah, that third link talks about a buzzing bridge.  Thanks O'Leo.

Possibly this video will offer some insight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcqs8FVN_KI

I believe on a traditional Sitar it is the bridge that creates the unique tone. The unfretted sympathetic strings simply acts as drones filling in the overall sound.

Enjoy, Keni Lee  

 

Gents,

 

Yes, one of the other sites I looked at ( www.birminghammusic.com , I think) mentions that the bridge / saddle on sitars is rather curved, as opposed to being (relatively) knife edge sharp as on guitars. According to them, the more the string is in contact with the bridge, the more you will get that fuzzy drone sitars are noted for. Also, take a  look at the dual nuts at the headstock: some strings run through holes in one nut, then over another nut, which in some instances has rather wide looking grooves in it, while the bridge appears in the pics I saw to be smooth, with no string grooves. Also, I agree with Keni Lee, the sympathetic strings are there for drone tones. 

here's what I want to do in the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPQR18x9DgQ&feature=related

not.

Actually, I'd like to do a rendition of "almost cut my hair".

Thanks for your input everyone.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
12 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
12 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
13 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
13 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
13 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
15 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
16 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
18 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
21 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
22 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->