electric sitar

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 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 early 1960s by session guitarist Vinnie Bell in partnership with Danelectro and released under the brandname Coral™ in 1967. At the time, many western musical groups began to use the sitar, which is generally considered a difficult instrument to learn. 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 strings, typically located on the left side of the instrument (though some do not have these). These strings have their own pickups (typically lipstick pickups are used for both sets of strings), and are usually tuned with a harp wrench (a difficult process). A unique type of bridge, a "buzz bridge", developed by Vinnie Bell, helps give the instrument its distinctive sound. Some electric sitars have 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 styles. Notable early hit singles featuring electric sitar include Eric Burdon and the Animals' " Monterey", Joe South's " Games People Play", The Supremes's "No Matter What Sign You Are" (played by Eddie Willis) and Stevie Wonder's " Signed, Sealed, Delivered", B.J. Thomas' "Hooked on a Feeling" (played by Reggie Young), The Spinners' " It's a Shame", The Box Tops "Cry Like a Baby" as well as some sides by The Stylistics and The Delfonics. Also Genesis on the ''Selling England by the Pound'' album for the song ''I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)'' and Yes on the ''Relayer'' album for the song '' To Be Over''.

Other recording artists who have featured the electric sitar include:

* B.J. Thomas on his version of the hit ''Hooked On A Feeling'', the sitar guitar is played by Reggie Young.
* Elvis Presley, 1969 America Sound recording sessions" "Stranger In My Hometown", "You'll Think Of Me"
* Steppenwolf ("Snowblind Friend", played by producer Richard Podolor)
* Mandrake Memorial
* Kronos Quartet
* Genesis (in "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)", "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight") Steve Hackett plays live.
* Yes (in "Close To The Edge", "Siberian Khatru", "Tales From Topographic Oceans", "To Be Over", " Into The Lens"), Steve Howe plays it and also on his solo albums
* Gary Wilson (musician) Played it, most notably on his 1977 album, You Think You Really Know Me.
* Mike Oldfield used it on "Flying Start" (on '' Islands'')
* The Clash (in " Armagideon Time" and " Charlie Don't Surf")
* Todd Rundgren (on the album '' Initiation'')
* 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")
* Robbie Dupree ("Steal Away")
* Oasis
* Dinosaur Jr. (in "The Wagon")
* R.E.M.
* Metallica (in "Wherever I May Roam")
* Steely Dan (in " 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")
* Santana
* Roy Wood (on the songs "Open up said the World at the Door" by The Move and Wizzard's "Carlsberg Special").
* Eric Johnson
* 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")
*The All-American Rejects

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