Coral Sitar Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1968)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 9121
Prices subject to change without notice.
Coral Sitar Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1968), made in Neptune, NJ, crystaline paint finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, gig bag case.
One of the coolest and most interesting oddball instruments of the 1960s, the Coral Electric Sitar has gone beyond novelty status and proved to be a practical and timeless creation. The most elaborate of the many designs East Coast session guitarist Vinnie Bell created for Nathan Daniel's Danelectro organization, the electric Sitar has added its totally distinctive tone to many famous recordings. Wanting to use the sitar sound on sessions but not grapple with the complex instrument itself, Bell created the graduated "Sitarmatic" bridge that combines the Indian instrument's traditional buzzing, twangy tonality with the playability of an electric guitar.
Besides the six standard "play" strings, the Coral sitar offers an array of "drone" strings along the upper bout which are designed to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being sounded, or be used for special effects. Three pickups with individual tone and volume controls allow all the sounds to be easily blended. This instrument was only in production for a year or so before the untimely demise of Danelectro, and so is fairly rare today despite being rather popular when new. While widely imitated over the years, the original Electric Sitar is an off-the-wall classic yet to be bettered!
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a nicely original example, with some general wear but no alterations. The finish has dings and dents, mostly to the edges but no large areas of wear. There is light corrosion to some of the metal hardware, but everything is original and complete with no breaks or cracks to the plastic panels. Plays and sounds as it should; a wonderful creation and a fitting memorial to the genius of Vinnie Bell, who passed away just recently. Overall Excellent Condition.
One of the coolest and most interesting oddball instruments of the 1960s, the Coral Electric Sitar has gone beyond novelty status and proved to be a practical and timeless creation. The most elaborate of the many designs East Coast session guitarist Vinnie Bell created for Nathan Daniel's Danelectro organization, the electric Sitar has added its totally distinctive tone to many famous recordings. Wanting to use the sitar sound on sessions but not grapple with the complex instrument itself, Bell created the graduated "Sitarmatic" bridge that combines the Indian instrument's traditional buzzing, twangy tonality with the playability of an electric guitar.
Besides the six standard "play" strings, the Coral sitar offers an array of "drone" strings along the upper bout which are designed to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being sounded, or be used for special effects. Three pickups with individual tone and volume controls allow all the sounds to be easily blended. This instrument was only in production for a year or so before the untimely demise of Danelectro, and so is fairly rare today despite being rather popular when new. While widely imitated over the years, the original Electric Sitar is an off-the-wall classic yet to be bettered!
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a nicely original example, with some general wear but no alterations. The finish has dings and dents, mostly to the edges but no large areas of wear. There is light corrosion to some of the metal hardware, but everything is original and complete with no breaks or cracks to the plastic panels. Plays and sounds as it should; a wonderful creation and a fitting memorial to the genius of Vinnie Bell, who passed away just recently. Overall Excellent Condition.