Product Description
Main guitar has new strings. Ships in hard case, harp tuning tool and info card. Plays beautifully and sounds great.
Jerry Jones improved on the original Coral Electric Sitar with his high quality reissues. Definitely a step above Danelectro in quality and are becoming quite sought after. See below for the Vintage Guitar magazine write up from 2001.
Jerry retired in 2011 and the factory in Nashville factory was closed.
The Coral Electric Sitar was original invented by Vincent Bell who worked with Danelectro in the 1960s. Original Coral Sitars command high prices but these reissues are a great and more practical alternative.
From Vintage Guitar Magazine Oct 01
If you’ve always wanted to learn the sitar, but could never quite scrape up the cash to fly to India and study with the Maharishi for several years, then you’ll be happy to know that with the skills you already have and a Jerry Jones Master Electric Sitar, you can chase such famous riffs as B.J. Thomas’ “Hooked On A Feelin’,” Steely Dan’s “Do It Again,” The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” (of course), and even Spinal Tap’s “Listen To The Flower People.”
Nuts, Bolts, Strings…and More Strings
Modeled after the original ’60s Vincent Bell Coral Sitar built by Danelectro, the Jerry Jones sitar is constructed like most of Jones’ guitars – with a poplar wood frame sandwiched between two pieces of Masonite, leaving a hollow chamber. It has a 25″-scale maple neck with flat 141/2″-radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, six-on-a-side Gotoh tuners, 21 medium jumbo frets, and an intonated “buzz bridge.”
Electronics-wise, Jones keeps it close to the cuff, employing his own lipstick pickups – two for the sitar, one for the 13-string sympathetic harp that can be tuned to any key or scale – each with its own volume and tone control. The cool red “gator” finish, along with the etched plexiglass pickguard and tailpiece cover, complete the instrument’s very psychedelic look. The smooth satin-finished neck and low action make it a breeze to play.
In terms of quality of construction, Jones’ instruments are certainly a couple notches above the vintage ones.
Play That Funky Music
We grabbed a small recent-issue Peavey tube amp and turned it up; suddenly, we were awash in a ton of sweet whirring and buzzing…what a blast! We liked the tone best with both pickups turned up, where it delivered a sweet out-of-phase sound that enhanced the authentic sitar groove…man.
It looks cool, it sounds cool, it’s a blast to play, and it rivals guitars costing double, which might lead one to ask why other U.S. builders can’t do the same!
Jerry Jones Master Sitar
Type of Guitar: Electric Sitar.
Features: Laminated poplar/masonite body, 25″-scale maple neck, 141/2″ radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, six-on-a-side Gotoh tuners, 21 medium jumbo frets, intonated “buzz bridge,” 13-string sympathetic harp, lipstick tube pickups.
The Jerry Jones electric sitar is a unique and iconic instrument that has gained popularity among musicians and enthusiasts alike. Designed and created by Jerry Jones, a renowned guitar builder, the electric sitar combines elements of a traditional sitar with the functionality and versatility of an electric guitar. It features sympathetic strings, a resonator, and a bridge that mimics the buzzing effect of a traditional sitar, allowing players to produce the distinct and hypnotic sound associated with this traditional Indian instrument. The Jerry Jones electric sitar offers a modern twist on a classic instrument, making it a favourite among musicians looking to incorporate unique and exotic sounds into their music.
One of the standout features of the Jerry Jones electric sitar is fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each instrument is meticulously handcrafted, ensuring a high level of quality and playability. The electric sitar is built using high-quality materials and is a well-balanced and responsive instrument that allows players to explore a wide range of tones and textures. Whether used in traditional sitar playing styles or blended with other genres like psychedelic rock or jazz, the Jerry Jones electric sitar offers a distinctive and captivating sound that sets it apart from other instruments.