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Anelectric sitar is a type of electric string instrument designed to mimic the sound of thesitar, a traditionalmusical instrument ofIndia. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these instruments bear varying degrees of resemblance to the traditional sitar. Most resemble theelectric guitar in the style of thebody andheadstock, though some have a body shaped to resemble that of the sitar (such as a model made byDanelectro).
The instrument was developed in the early 1960s by session guitaristVinnie Bell in partnership withDanelectro and released under the brandname Coral™ in 1967.[3] At the time, manywestern musical groups had begun using the sitar, which is generally considered a difficult instrument to learn.[4] 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 carefully designed and contoured bridge surface adding the necessary buzz to the guitar strings.
In addition to the six playing strings, most electric sitars havesympathetic strings, typically located on the left side of the instrument (though some do not have these). These strings have their ownpickups (typicallylipstick pickups are used for both sets of strings), and are usually tuned with a harp wrench (a difficult process). A unique type ofbridge, a "buzz bridge", developed by Vinnie Bell, helps give the instrument its distinctivesound. Some electric sitars havedrone 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 anautoharp than a sitar.
Versions of the electric sitar were also developed mainly in India. These are smaller-sized sitars that resemble a traditional sitar, and are tuned the same way.
Because the tonal quality and playing technique differ significantly from that of the sitar, the electric sitar is typically used in rock, jazz, andfusion styles.
Recordings that have featured the electric sitar include:[citation needed]
Notable early hit singles featuring electric sitar includeEric Burdon and the Animals' "Monterey",Joe South's "Games People Play",the Supremes' "No Matter What Sign You Are" (on which the electric sitar was played byEddie Willis),Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered",B. J. Thomas' "Hooked on a Feeling" (played byReggie Young),the Spinners' "It's a Shame", andthe Box Tops' "Cry Like a Baby", as well as some sides bythe Stylistics andthe Delfonics.
Other recordings from the 1960s include:
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