Lockdown? Try something different!

by ExFender Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:45 pm

Recovering from a broken ankle and going almost stir-crazy, I answered an ad for an instrument that has fascinated me since I was 6 years old. The seller wanted 99 Euros for it, but I noticed that almost all of the strings needed replacing or were missing altogether, plus three of the fine tuners were AWOL and the "case" was that in description only - barely useful at all.

I made an appointment to look it over - about 20 Kilometers from my digs - and hobbled over via tram and a short hike (uphill). As luck would have it, the weather decided to play foul with just enough snow to make things uncomfortable.

Looking the SITAR over, I noted the faults also mentioning that getting parts would not be that easy, as there is only one location in Germany that deals with instruments from India and that parts were not exactly cheap (everything imported from India). Long story shortened, the guy (a music teacher for piano and violin) loaded the Sitar in its "case" (vinyl covered cardboard!), TAPED it closed (ALL hasps were broken) and asked for 20 Euros, then, loaded it on his bicycle and walked with me back to the tram station! I was more than surprised and impressed (and VERY happy)!

Parts were ordered and arrived yesterday. Oh yeah, the deal also included a complete set of strings (18).

I don't have any photos yet, but will be forthcoming