Danelectro Sitar Black Crackle

First off this is a very specific sounding instrument, absolutely essential for the 60s/70s electric sitar sound. What its not great at is being an acoustic, normal sitar: that is a totally different instrument tuned in 5ths with drone strings set up in 5ths. Used as an electric guitar sounding like a sitar it perfectly captues the sounds you hear on “Band of Gold “or “Do it Again”. I use mine for NuDisco and its absolutely spot on. The drone strings need a little thought; I set mine up in chromatic C3-C4 in semitones and you’ll get the occasional sympathetic resonance and be able to do lovely harp like chromatic sweeps. If you want the full sitar drone, then pair with a Ravish pedal instead of working out the various scales. Build quality is very good, slim C shape neck much like Squier Classic Vibe Strats. The guitar is surprisingly quiet despite its single coils and is feather light (5.5lbs). Tuning the drone strings is relatively simple using a socket wrench and much like tuning an autoharp. I’d strongly recommend this for the very specific and unique sounds it creates