Electric sitar

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Image:Electricsitar.jpg An electric sitar is in fact a kind of electric guitar designed to mimic the sound of the traditional South Asian instrument, the sitar. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these instruments bear varying degrees of resemblance to the traditional sitar. Most, in fact, 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).

The instrument was developed in the late 1960's, when many western musical groups began to use the sitar. The sitar is generally considered a difficult instrument to learn.<ref name="hipwax">HypWax. "Odd Pop: Pop Sitar", Hyp Records, December 14, 1998.</ref> By contrast, the electric sitar, with its standard guitar fretboard and tuning, is easy for a guitarist to get to grips with.

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 session musician Vincent 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 feature of the buzz bridge.

Vincent Bell used the instrument on several songs, including "Green Tambourine" by the Lemon Pipers, "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne, and "Heartbreaker" by Gene Pitney.<ref name="spaceagepop">"Vinnie Bell", Spaceagepop, 2006.</ref>

Because the tone quality and playing technique differ significantly from that of the sitar, it is not used by classical musicians, but typically by rock, jazz, fusion, and other pop music groups. Notably, B.J. Thomas featured its sound on "Hooked on a Feeling" in 1969 and The Stylistics made frequent use of it in the 1970's. It was also used by Yes, R.E.M, Steely Dan, and Santana.