Danelectro Sitar | Review by Alexandra Zerner

[@emusounds]

Wow, that "stupid improvisation" is probably my favorite thing you played on it. You made the sympathetic strings useful and it was very musical. Most people just strum them and call it a day haha.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you so much! I am happy that you like my small endeavour there :)

[@omarcapaso7156]

That improv sounded like something that would be in a yes song

[@rvierra7235]

Great review. I love to listen to you play the electric sitar. Thank you.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@dinofond]

This is a great review Alexandra thank you

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Buzzedd777]

Really good demo/review. I liked the improv at 12:10. Well done.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank youvery much!

[@jukesasaurusrex]

I had the chance to try one of these instruments , it is definitely something I never thought I needed . Great video sounds amazing .

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

It gives a lot of sound possibilities for all genres. Especially nice to double it with acoustic guitars or clean electric with phaser or something similar.

[@TexMexShaman]

I ordered mine a few months ago but just now shipped. I started looking for examples and quick reviews and this was one of the more helpful videos to see how the instrument feels and plays. Thank you for posting !

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Congrats! I am happy that my review has been useful to you :)

[@ronwrolson4771]

You sold me on this instrument. Very innovative way you have of using it! Also I listened to your silhouette album. Incredible!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am happy that my review has been so useful! Thanks for checking out my new album - I am glad that you like it so much :)

[@busyboy63]

Very cool video. Thank you for doing such a good job explaining this instrument to us. Also, I really appreciate your fine musicianship and your music.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you very much! I am glad that you like it :)

[@BrettKingman]

That was great, Alexandra. Thanks so much. And your piece at the end was beautiful. All the best to you.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you! The track is from my new album "Silhouette": alexandrazerner.bandcamp.com/album/silhouette

[@jameschamplin1742]

Great review and demos!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you!!!

[@juannlohan3943]

Thanks Alexandra for your video! Love your song!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

You're welcome! I am glad that you like it so much :)

[@galegreyson4196]

An amazing instrument. Your improvisation is lovely.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you! It's a wonderful instrument indeed!

[@Rainb0wSeven]

Great video!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roberto1950]

Thank you for the excellent demo. Nice performance!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you!

[@justjason3136]

I first saw this during Whenever I May Roam and I now I’m looking at reviews to see if I truly want one to see if I can make awesome music with this, so thank you for this insightful review!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

It took me many years to figure out what instrument plays on this song :D I am happy that my review has been useful to you :) Best of luck with getting one of these!

[@LiveAerosmith]

the intro in Paint In Black too great video!!!!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thanks! I am glad that you appreciate it!

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

The piece at the end is very nice.

[@drewmoody8905]

Love your accent. Reminds me of Boris and Natasha from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. Thanks for the great demonstration.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you find it amusing although I am not aware of these characters :) Happy to be helpful!

[@stoneohstone7517]

Hello love your music and your demonstration of this instrument. I recently bought one of these and when I got it, the intonation was off badly. Do you have any tips for intonating?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you! I am glad that you like what I do!
Yes, there might be intonation issues - I improved it by adjusting the height of the buzz bridge - it's curved so its height affects the intonation points. It's not perfect but you can get decent results.

[@paulfenton4517]

Excellent demo /review thanks!!Paul Fenton

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Glad you liked it!

[@jameslanclos568]

I got one !!! Love it! What is your favorite tuning? Also what scales are good for Indian style sitar music?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Congrats! I use a standard tuning and I tune the sympathetic strings to G major scale. For Indian music I would suggest to look for authentic sitar tunings. For such purposes, I would perhaps use something like DADGAD.

[@jameslanclos568]

Thanks.@@AlexandraZernerRocks

[@jwdurango]

The bass notes sound awesome

[@petronny1]

thank you, Alexandra! :)

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

You're welcome!

[@anthonysilva5312]

Thank you for this! Your English is great!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you find this video useful!

[@bigmanolo1]

Amazing sound!

[@joemonroe1106]

I dig it. But I imagine it would be a pain to tune with all those extra harmonic strings on top.
Steely Dan uses this on "Do It Again".

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

It's pain indeed but luckily, they stay in tune quite well, so once you tune them, you can leave them for quite a long time.

[@vox1966]

Great video thanks ordered mine today from sweetwater won’t get until late February 2022

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you! I am sorry that you have to wait so much... That's indeed a very inspiring instrument.

[@royvandevender8461]

Nice playing n demo!

[@princecrane1277]

so unique👌🏽

[@karlmiller5294]

Hi.. anyone know what notes particularly are the sympathetic strings in G tuned to? Low to high?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I explained that in the video at 10:40

[@sebastionhawk5565]

Norweigan Wood, sounds REALLY nice; I would LOVE one! WOuld be great for "Whithin you and without you..." Beatles.

[@DanAnderson_TheMaddestShredder]

God Bless You My beautiful Friend. Love and Respect always. Thats a very cool Instrument Alex. You are Absolutely Awesome. Thank You So Much For The Lesson And Bad Azzz Playing. You Rock!!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

You're welcome! I am glad that you like the video :)

[@kernalsanders6538]

Good Demo. Thank you.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you like it!

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

Compose something and share. Would Love to hear you Play. I'm Left-Handed, but really want one. Thanks for the Review.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you find the review useful! I have released 5 solo albums and many singles and this sitar is there too. You can check my playthrough videos here on my channel. My full discography is here: alexandrazerner.com/shop

[@MrErdner]

I need to Czech that out.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

That was punny ;)

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

Hello, from the StateS 🇺🇸 I'm new to your channel.. Thanks for sharing Empress 👑 🎸 🎶

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Hi Patrick, I am glad that you like the video :)

[@sheepdogsx2]

I inherited a 1970 Vincent Bell version of this instrument from my bother. Very cool guitar

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Great for you! It's indeed interesting and inspiring instrument :)

[@chuckmccroskey4864]

I have a Jerry Jones Master Sitar, it is magnificent!
Really getting into Indian Classical music. I’m a classically trained guitarist and it is a really cool instrument. So much fun!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

That's great! Broadening one's musical horizons is always a good thing to do :)

[@CarstenGoeke]

Interesting. Thanks and greetz ✌🏼

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

You're welcome! I am glad that you like it :)

[@frankjuster8726]

i would love to have one except for two things : i don't play guitar that well and they don't make lefties ...oh well . i did manage to buy a danelectro " 58 " longhorn bass lefthand model , highly recommended . enjoyed your video , well done .

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you! I am sorry that they didn't make a left-handed model. Probably you could find it from another brand - there are several that do such sitars.

[@CeresKLee]

Awe, you ended with one my favorite Trevor Rubin riffs!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you appreciate it :)

[@GG-jw8pt]

Cool! If you change the bridge to a regular danelectro would that make a regular guitar? I was thinking doing that on the six string version you showed.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

The buzz bridge is what makes the sitar-like sound. If you remove it and mute the resonating strings, it will be just a regular guitar.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

How about Silent Night arranged by Roger Emerson (w/ ShowTrax CD accompaniment Track)

[@DIM00252]

sounds like my 150€ guitar, except mine isn’t a sitar, it just has EXTREME string buzz :,(
I really like how this looks

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

That's funny because back in the days I was thinking of how to come up with a DYI solution to mimick this instrument by listening to fret buzz :D

[@ellainastorms]

Sounds about the same as the mod bridge I used to have for my 59O

[@palmiuga]

Brava!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thanks!

[@kjetilsteensns7017]

Good demo!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you!

[@cliffwise]

Your idea of tuning the resonating strings to G is wonderful. It pushed me over the edge to buy this instrument. I’m making meditative music. Thanks.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you like the concept and the video has been useful and inspiring to you! Best of luck with your projects :)

[@robertiaccarino4363]

@@AlexandraZernerRocks are all of the sympathetic strings tuned to G?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

@@robertiaccarino4363 Yes, it's just G major scale starting from the lowest (longest) string up.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Alexandra Zerner Play Eruption by Eddie Van Halen on the Electric Sitar-Guitar as a tribute to him because he sadly died. RIP Eddie Van Halen

[@Kianquenseda]

Awesome thank you

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

You're very welcome :)

[@DEPARTUERS19]

Nice i want one ...where can I buy ?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I bought it on Thomann.de but I don't know what shops do you have access to. Just look for it online.

[@macabre2007]

Thanks!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you for your support! I am glad that you find this video helpful!

[@Shannonguitarboy]

Hi! I purchased the other Dan Electro Baby sitar version and it seemed to have MAJOR intonation issues after the 12th fret. I read up a couple of online forums, articles and reviews about the model that I own and it was NORMAL for it to have these issues :(
Does your particular sitar model have intonation issues after the 12th fret?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Hi there! I am sorry that you have experienced such issues. Having a bridge which doesn't allow scale corrections always has risks. I had some issues but I solved them more or less by adjusting the height of the buzz bridge since it's not entirely flat but slightly curved and this affects the intonation. I hope that works for you.

[@blakewhittington4336]

Steve Miller used it on WILD MOUNTAIN HONEY.
He also tells a cool story how he got it out of a barrel of used guitars while leaving Mannys guitar store I believe

[@blakewhittington4336]

ua-cam.com/video/fTUVuTJl6h4/v-deo.html

[@DiegoGelmirez]

That was great, thank you. I guess the tuning of the sympathetic strings would limit what keys you play in. For example, if it’s tuned to G maj, you can’t very well play something in E flat, I suppose.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that you like it :) Yes, the sympathetic strings are limiting but if you only leave them resonating, it's not a big difference if you play in an "unsupported" key.

[@juharidanpaa4917]

Great video! I've been interested in Danelectro sitar and this video certainly proved me that I should get one. So you tune it as a normal guitar and the sympathetic strings on GMajor? Can you tell how they actually go? (G, ...) And you can play the instrument as a "normal guitar" when putting harp volume down, right?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am glad that the video has been useful to you :) Yes, I tune it like a normal guitar and the sympathetic strings go upwards as following: GABCDEF#GABCDE as the low G (the longest one) is the same note G you have on 1st string, 3rd fret. I hope this helps :)

[@juharidanpaa4917]

@@AlexandraZernerRocks thanks! Will try the same once I receive the sitar.

[@LuizPiresGuitar]

source for that van halen citation is really needed, ma'am

[@enriqueaguilar4550]

QUE HERMOSA MUJER Y QUE PROFECIONAL ......YES USA EL SONIDO DEL SITÁR EN SU CLÁSICO "IT CAN HAPPEN" MUY BIEN LOGRADO Y GRACIAS A ESE HEMOSO SONIDO ESTE TEMA SE QUEDO COMO UN CLÁSICO DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS................IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME IT CAN HAPPEN TO EVERYONE EVENTUALLY.......!!!!!

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Done so very well!!!

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thanks!

[@KingLightDividing]

How is this tuned? And what are the string gauges for the main six and the sympathetic strings?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I explained in the video how I tune it. The original strings feel like a .9-42 set and the resonating ones look like all 9s.

[@secallen]

John McGeocch on Desert Kisses (Siouxsie and the Banshees)

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Sailing ships from Whitesnake. :)

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Yes, of course! I don't know why I didn't mention this song since it's my favourite Whitesnake's song...

[@mikematics]

cool video

[@troubadour723]

How did you fix the intonation issues?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

What do you mean exactly?

[@troubadour723]

@@AlexandraZernerRocks Never mind, I managed to fix the intonation on mine by adjusting the bridge. I thought it was a standard problem with all Danelectro electric sitars but they may have just sent mine from the factory without checking the intonation first. But it plays fine now. Thanks!

[@ClearColorCloud]

I think these are 24.75 scale now - maybe different when you got yours.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I saw that on some websites it says 24.75 but I am certain that mine is not that. On Thomann, it was stated 648 mm which is 25.5 and I have measured mine manually so I know it's correct. Probably in the US there is another version...

[@ronwrolson4771]

You said you tune the sympathies strings to Gmaj. Is that just a standard bottom up sequence or?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Yes, it's just G major scale starting from the lowest (longest) string up.

[@ronwrolson4771]

Two sets bottom to top?
GDGBDG, GDGBDG, G ?
Or double each note ascending?
Sorry lol, But I want to get it right

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Just a plain G major scale: GABCDEF# GABCDE

[@tanchokdewan9020]

Wow

[@surfczar]

You had me at Metallica... :)

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Good to know :)

[@ronaldtiracchia2017]

Very cool. I could make music with that

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

It's very cool indeed :)

[@thomasrose7713]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@Balverine]

Is it tuned like a guitar?

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Yepp

[@joeschultz74]

Joseph Schultz
0 seconds ago
If you think that’s hard to tune try tuning a real sitar. Also a traditional sitars uses just tuning not tempered tuning. It has a much more elegant sound. The artistry is bending up to the note you want and letting the sympathetic string ring out because the bends must be perfect. You can bend a fifth and do a whole Melody from one fret. That’s basically a twangy guitar with sympathetic strings. A true sitar properly made and properly played is mind blowing…
That said it looks like fun.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

I am aware of how an actual sitar is a complex and beautifully sounding instrument and I don't intend to diminish its qualities. I am just making a review of an instrument I like and I bought. That's it.

[@joeschultz74]

Cool, as long as you know. I was looking for electric sitars online and most are like that - which looks super cool and fun and you play very well. I didn’t mean to be snide, simply you mentioned how hard it is to tune and tuning as guitar as a pain in the butt but you get used to it… Rock on!

[@jak9990]

Du siehst Alexandra Witthingham sehr ähnlich. Die ist auch virtuose Gitarristin, nur eben ne klassische.
Cooles Video 👍👏

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Ja, es gibt einige Änlichkeit :)

[@Andi_Aliev]

Cool !! You got a new subscriber.. :D

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you so much!

[@stevedotwood]

You forgot Steely Dan (Do It Again) and Frank Zappa (Watermelon in Easter Hay)

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Well, I don't pretend to have encyclopedical knowledge. I talk about the things I am aware of and I enjoy.

[@misstykotha2963]

19 like🍀💖🍀

[@raymondreid4987]

Try a little Steve Miller's Wild Mountain Honey

[@alexeykomov7787]

oHHmygod)) TYUuuu very f** mtc4 ty TY))

[@Wolfgang262]

It was not stupid improv .

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

Thank you!

[@Wolfgang262]

@@AlexandraZernerRocks Good improve comes from the heart , and you have a very good one . 💖😍

[@brybry6669]

How is this a sitar at all? A weak mimic at best.

[@AlexandraZernerRocks]

From this perspective, we shouldn't call the electric guitar a guitar, because it's a weak mimic of the classical guitar ;)

[@brybry6669]

​@@AlexandraZernerRocks Can you bend a note up a fifth or more on this instrument? Do you use Sitar plectrum? Do you use Sitar techniques and microtonality? Is it built like a Sitar?
No. Not at all.
So how is this a sitar?
An interesting instrument yes, but it has nothing to do with a sitar. Would you play an electric banjo and call it a bouzouki? Would you play clarinet in 12 tet Hirwaz mode and call it a duduk?
I invent instruments myself, so I am all for pushing boundaries and getting new sounds etc... but to claim heritage from an unrelated instrument is disingenuous at best, and misleads those without experience in Indian music.
Cool instrument, inaccurate name from whoever it was that made it.