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, original black hard shell case.
One of the coolest and most interesting oddball instruments of the 1960's, the Coral Electric Sitar has proved to be a practical and timless design. The most elaborate of the many designs east coast session guitarist Vinnie Bell created for Nathan Daniel, the electric Sitar has a totally distinctive sound used on many famous recordings. Wanting to use the sitar sound on sessions but not grapple with the complex instrument itself, Bell created by the graduated "Sitarmatic" bridge that re-creates the Indian instrument's traditional tonality with the familiar 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. While widely imitated over the years, the original Electric Sitar is a 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.). Very clean and all original, a few edge chips but overall a fine example, complete with the original Masonite case and sympathetic string tuning wrench. Easily the finest of these we have ever had! Excellent Condition.
