Sitar Repair and Surbahar Repair
Frets
The frets on Sitar and Surbahar are similar and can be addressed in the same way. Both are curved metal rods, tied to the neck with a silk or nylon twine. Being tied to the neck allows easy positioning and fine tuning of the frets. However, frets can be impacted by bridge position. If the bridge is improperly positioned, the frets may end up hitting the sympathetic string pegs before they can achieve the correct pitch.
If the curvature of one or more frets is too high or too low, buzzing of the playing strings will occur. Cleanliness of the frets is vital. Uncared for and dirty frets will eventually result in screeching and scraping sounds as well as sticking when trying to slide across them.
Fret services:
If the curvature of one or more frets is too high or too low, buzzing of the playing strings will occur. Cleanliness of the frets is vital. Uncared for and dirty frets will eventually result in screeching and scraping sounds as well as sticking when trying to slide across them.
Fret services:
- Cleaning
- Retying
- Positioning
- Realignment
Bridges (aka "Jawari")
The bridges, referred to as the "jawari" are considered the heart of the instrument. In the past bone and horn were the two most popular materials. Nowadays, many synthetics are being used in their place. These synthetics are often of excellent tone and durability. As one plays, the steel and bronze/brass strings gradually wear into the bridge surface, causing grooves to develop that impact the performance of the instrument.
Shaping of the bridge surfaces can be done to remove the grooves caused by the strings, and also to modify the tone of the instrument. The bridge can be shaped to be a closed sound, an open sound or a round tone between the two.The choice of tonal quality is really particular to the individual. However, individual instruments usually have an inherent range at which they sound best.
Placement of the bridge has a tremendous impact on both the tone and the tuning of the frets. Bridge adjustment should be followed up by a fret check.
Contact of the bridge feet to the face (soundboard or "tabli") of the instrument is vital. The feet should conform to the surface shape of the tabli for best contact and sound transmission. The height of the bridge can also dictate the action.
Jawari services:
Shaping of the bridge surfaces can be done to remove the grooves caused by the strings, and also to modify the tone of the instrument. The bridge can be shaped to be a closed sound, an open sound or a round tone between the two.The choice of tonal quality is really particular to the individual. However, individual instruments usually have an inherent range at which they sound best.
Placement of the bridge has a tremendous impact on both the tone and the tuning of the frets. Bridge adjustment should be followed up by a fret check.
Contact of the bridge feet to the face (soundboard or "tabli") of the instrument is vital. The feet should conform to the surface shape of the tabli for best contact and sound transmission. The height of the bridge can also dictate the action.
Jawari services:
- Adjust surface shape to improve tone
- Remove grooves caused by the strings over time
- Adjust the shape of the feet
- Achieve proper bridge position and height
Pegs
Sitars and Surbahars have two types of pegs: main pegs and the smaller sympathetic (taraf) pegs. Occasionally one will see a sitar or surbahar without the sympathetic strings, but these are very uncommon.
Sticking of the pegs can make tuning very difficult, especially fine tuning, and can, in extreme cases, cause the peg to crack or break. The opposite, pegs that slip, make it impossible to maintain the instrument in tune.
Another problem with pegs is the length of the peg shaft. When the peg shaft protrudes from the out of the body, it cause an obstacle to smooth playing.
Pegs made of inferior quality wood, sometimes called "sapwood", can actually mush down inside the peg holes and become stuck or, conversely, may not be able to grip.
Peg services:
Sticking of the pegs can make tuning very difficult, especially fine tuning, and can, in extreme cases, cause the peg to crack or break. The opposite, pegs that slip, make it impossible to maintain the instrument in tune.
Another problem with pegs is the length of the peg shaft. When the peg shaft protrudes from the out of the body, it cause an obstacle to smooth playing.
Pegs made of inferior quality wood, sometimes called "sapwood", can actually mush down inside the peg holes and become stuck or, conversely, may not be able to grip.
Peg services:
- Fix sticking or loose pegs
- Trim back protruding shafts
- Repair or replace cracked or broken pegs
Strings and Other Services
Strings take their path from the tailpiece to the nut (upper bone bar). Along the way they may encounter chikari posts and fine tuners. The height and angle of the chikari posts is critical to a good sound. Clanking or muted chikari strings can often be addressed through correcting or replacing the post. And occasionally the chikari post can snap off. The depth of the nut slots contributes to the action of the instrument. It can also be a problem area where creaking or squeaks can occur. The tailpiece where the strings are tied off may become loose or the bone for the taraf strings may snap off.
Overall deep cleaning and inspection of the instrument should be done periodically to maintain the finish and to catch possible problems before they magnify.
Other Services Include:
Overall deep cleaning and inspection of the instrument should be done periodically to maintain the finish and to catch possible problems before they magnify.
Other Services Include:
- Re-stringing with high quality strings
- Replacement or adjustment of chikari posts
- Supplying and setting up tuning beads
- Replacement or repair of the nut, including re-slotting if needed
- Inspection and cleaning
Copyright ©2010 by Michael Spampinato - photographs copyright ©2010 by Michael Spampinato