Trying to get the sitar sound. Any ideas of what effects to use to make a good "sitar" sound with guitar?

Danelectro makes (or made) a pedal called the Sitar Swami. It listed new for $149, but I see them on eBay for around $100. However, the feedback I read on those is that they're crap.

From what I've read, the consensus seems to be - buy a Rogue electric sitar. The problem there is they cost around $350 new - and that's a lot of coin just to play Norwegian Wood.

Actually, I'm looking to play Don't Come Around Here No More. On concert video Mike Campbell is playing a electric guitar (his "Gator" guitar if I remember correctly) and running it thru something to get the sound.

I think I might have found a answer myself. I was poking around the internet after I posed the question and saw a video where a guy used a paper clip to lightly lay on the strings to help create to right sound. However, to get the paper clip on just right is really tough and I was afraid it would fail at just the wrong time. I was already running thru a flanger and getting close but still needed that kind of metallic feel.

Then it hit me. I was using a cheap capo, the kind with the nylon straps, rubber tube that laid on the strings and had a metal center.

I decided to try taking the rubber portion off so that the metal laid directly on the strings. After tweaking it a bit (the metal bar should be about 1/8 inch from the first fret) and adding some chorus, a little reverb and distortion, I came up with a pretty passable sound.

I'll have to dedicate one guitar to this song if I want to play it live but I think it'll be okay.

Hey Iffy.... could you post a demo of the tone?

Thanks,

Chap

For some reason with your new signature line, Iffy, I want to say Go ask Alice.

This sound different from the record. Have you listened to this live version?

Live 1985

As many times as I saw that tune live, I never did figure out where all those sounds were coming from much from what.

Sounds like a fun experiment though.

Good luck!

Another option I've read about is the "Gotoh Sitar Bridge". You can buy it for $75.00 and convert a cheap guitar into a sitar. Good reviews from one person that I know of. He sold his actual electric sitar because he was so happy with this.

Danelectro parts

Scroll down and you'll see it.

You could probably get a decent facsimile if you used a Auto Wah and a Flanger....

Mike is actually using a Guitar made to sound like a sitar. I can't remember the company who makes them, but that's how gets that sound anyways.

Found it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvbSgKQoRLk

Wow there are a lot of strings on that! I can't believe how great the internet makes information about music so easy.

I like the bridge idea but the measurements aren't there. You figure it sits right over the already drilled holes?

Added bridges perplex me.

Anywho here is a remake of what they really used (coral sitar). Really pricey but Iffy if you got your sound the way you figured out. My hat is off to you!

http://www.jerryjonesguitars.com/Master%20sitar.htm

So that person on the vid picked a used one up for $200. Suppose anything is possible.