Danelectro Sitar

Since I'd heard the sitar solo from Denny Dias in Steely Dan's "Do It Again" in the 80s, I was looking for that sound.
For a long time I thought it was an effect device that produces this sound. He has been heard in so many hits and rock classics as: Cliff Richard - Dreamin ', Lenny Kravitz - It's not Over Till It's Over, Ugly Kid Joe - Cats in the Cradle, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Elvis, Stranger In My Own Hometown, Lemon Pipers, Green Tambourine, Paul Young
It lasted until the 90s when a musician finally explained to me that this is a special instrument, the Coral Sitar, which is unfortunately not available anymore. This friendly person gave me the reference to Jerry Jones, a guitar builder in the USA, who reproduced these instruments. At that time, I could not however through the many money for such a single, special sound to spend. I had waited a long time before Jerry Jones stopped his production and retired. From the mouse I thought - haste waited too long and I was angry. However, not too long - because with pleasure, I realized two months ago that Danelectro has reissued the original and the instrument is available in Germany. I ordered it from Thomann immediately and there were mixed feelings. The sound - great! Almost 30 years I had searched for, now I had him - the "Do It Again" sound.

But: the sitar comes in the cardboard box, it makes the impression of a cigar box rather than a solid hollow body. The plastic plates and pickups are screwed into the body by means of primitive wooden screws and the plastic edges are not polished very smoothly. In addition, a very big drawback: in order to get to the halsstellschraube the neck must be unscrewed! It was definitely necessary to make adjustments there because the neck was bent backwards. It took me a while to get it. Unfortunately, no operating instructions are included with the instrument. Thus one knows also with the 13 Sympathetic strings for the first time little. It only helps to google, or as I did it ask at Thomann's customer service, how these strings are tuned and how they can be replaced if necessary.

To take the wind from the sails again: Danelectro is the company that built the original in the 60s, and I guess the designers have kept their original plan with this reissue model. And that is exactly why it sounds so authentic. Playability and Bundunheit are very good (if the Gotoh Bridge is set correctly).

A last big drawback I have to add:
The Sitar is extremely copflastic when playing with belt. The neck is constantly falling down. I helped myself by integrating an additional belt pin into one of the neck mounting screws. For this I recommend the "Harley Benton Gurthaltekopf Set Chrome" and a 5x45 countersunk slotted screw from the hardware store. The balance is perfect (also with a smooth belt). Please also read my review at the og Gurtpin.

Conclusion:
Who, like me, was long on the lookout for this special sound, does not get around this instrument. However, in view of the high price, a high-quality instrument incl. Case would be desirable. The latter is not there and only in the 60 EUR more expensive bundle available. Also, the instrument requires some setup experience and crafting skills (see belt pin problem and collar). All in all, a luxury that you can get just once in your life, in the hope that the instrument will last as long as possible.