Customer Reviews

Some nice reviews from our customers about our instruments and service!! We have edited out last names for privacy and removed reference to other stores out of courtesy.

From a customer from Illinois, who purchased a Kanai Lal Kharaj Pancham sitar.

Hello Bharat,

I received the Kanai Lal Kharaj Pancham sitar. It sounds great! ...

Thanks,

Paul D.

From a customer from Scotland, who purchased Sadanand's "Theory and practice of Tabla".

To whom it may concern,

I'm writing to confirm my receipt of the order that I placed.

I'm very happy with the product (... by Sadanand Naimpallly) as I've been studying some of his repertoire with one of his gurubais , Vijay Kangutkar, here in sunny Scotland. This is a valuable aid and very good value for money.

many thanks

Mike B.

From a customer from New York, who purchased dance bells.

Hello Sitars Etc,

I don't know if this is the right e-mail to send this to, but I wanted to say THANK YOU!!!

The anklets (bells) I received (right now) are WONDERFUL!!! Your service and products are exceptional and I' am truly satisfied!! This product came just in time, because now I can show off my new anklets to my Kathak dance-mates today, and tell them that SITARS ETC. SELLS THEM...

I'm going to recommend all of my fellow Kathak and Odissi dance-mates to your store!!!

Again, Thank you for exceptional service and products!

Warmly,

Stephanie C.

From a customer from Virginia, who purchased a mixed Parampara Tabla set 1/2 Gandharva Daya - 1/2 Mumbai Baya.

Dear Bharat,

It was great meeting you. The tabla sets that you set up for me to try were excellent and really showed me the difference in sound and playability between student, professional, and artist quality instruments. I got the perfect match for me by mixing the Professional Mumbai (Bombay) Bayan with the Gandharva Master Dayan. They were also packed and shipped with great care. ...

Best wishes,
David W

From a customer from Florida, who purchased a Hiren Roy Gandhar Pancham :

Hi Bharat,

My sitar is wonderful. ... It truly is a nice instrument and I love playing it. I want you to know that your customer service and quality of instruments is second to none. Future business is assured.
...

Thanks again,

Michael C.

From a customer from Texas who purchased a Srishti Half-Decorated Standard sitar:

Dear Bharat,

I got the package today. The sitar is very beautiful. I named her "Leela". Everything was in good shape and it sounds great. Thank you very much, I look forward to doing business with you again some time.

Mark S

From a customer from Florida who purchased a Kurtas set:

Thank you very much for your service; we love the Kurta set.

Best wishes,

Pilar H

From a customer from Madrid, Spain who purchased a Srishti Student Kharaj Pancham sitar.

(see translation below the spanish)

Bharat,

Esta vez no te escribo para enviarte mis preguntas interminables, ni para pedirte numeros, ni presupuestos ni nada de eso. Esta vez te escribo sencillamente para darte las gracias.

El sitar ha llegado a casa ayer en perfectas condiciones con todo tal como te lo pedí. Reconozco que me sorprendió lo bien que estaba embalado y cuidado... ¡¡Incluso estaba casi afinado!!.

...

Tu trabajo y responsabilidad en todo lo que a mi respecta fue impecable e indiscutible y es por ello que siento que tengo que escribirte estas lineas en agradecimiento por tu dedicación y siempre rápidas respuestas.

Te dejo un abrazo y una vez más muchísimas gracias por todo...

Namaste... Andrés R.

PD: Mantengo el contacto para futuras compras y, quien te dice, quizá algún día nos veamos en alguna parte del planeta. Gracias.

(translation:)

Bharat,

This time I do not write to send you my interminable questions, nor to ask for numbers, nor quotes, nor anything of the kind. This time I write to you simply to thank you.

The sitar has arrived to my house yesterday in perfect conditions. Everything just as I had requested. I understand that I was very surprised to see how well things were packed and taken care of. In addition to almost being in tune!!

...

Your work and responsibility in everything, in my opinion, was impeccable and undisputable and that is why I feel I have to write to you these few lines in thanks for your dedication and your always quick responses.

I leave you with a hug and once more thank you very much for everything...

Namaste ... Andres R.

P.S. I will stay in touch for future purchases and who knows, perhaps one day we will see each other somewhere on the planet. Thanks.

From a customer from Kensington, Maryland who purchased a
A Srishti Standard with colored penwork sitar.

Bharat:

...

Thanks again for everything. I've got the sitar just about perfectly tuned now, and I played with the upper tumba attached for the first time tonight. The sound is just amazing.

Take care,

Jason M.

From a customer from Massachusetts who purchased a Srishti Standard with colored penwork sitar.

Dear Bharat,

I recieved my Sitar on Wed the 7th, and It's just what I expected, a truly beautiful instrument!

Thank you!

Bill M.

From a customer from the US Virgin Islands who purchased a Rikhi Ram Grand Pro Teak Sitar.

Hi,

The sitar arrived today, and it is in excellent condition.

Thank you for the expedient delivery.

Nasseer I.

From a customer from Saskatchewan, Canada who purchased a Srishti half decoration sitar.

Hey it's Matt and i just wanted to say i got my sitar and it is amazing, and thank you so much.

Matt B-R.

From a customer from North Carolina who purchased a Srishti Designer sitar.

... your note ... says “Thank you very much. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help.”

Actually, there is something you could do to help. You could fly to North Carolina this weekend to help me change and tune all twenty strings on my Shristi Designer......(:

In all honesty, I changed all twenty strings LAST Saturday which is why I am ordering a new set-----I always like to keep a spare set around and on hand in case of breakage and (of course) when they have gone dead from age and playing------

The Shristi Designer came to me a year and a half ago; I purchased it in June of 2005 and received it shortly thereafter (it came in early July, 2005).......

After putting brand new strings on the Designer model last weekend, the highest pitched (Ma and Pa) strings are bright and responsive and the sympathetics are singing again------the lowest pitched, fourth string (“C Sharp”) string growls like a sleeping old man and the highest tarab’s are communing in the upper realm of the spheres ------ I continue to be in love and thankful for such a fine, well crafted and beautiful instrument------

Thanks,

David B

A link to a customer who purchased a Su Gita Sitar and has a video of himself with the Su Gita on YouTube.com

Click to enlarge

Click here to view video on YouTube.com

From a customer from Florida who purchased a Srishti Standard Deluxe sitar.

Click to enlarge Thanks. I wanted to send you these pictures of (our daughter ) Rachel playing the sitar. We are all enjoying the music! It totally relaxes or standard poodle, Gigi.

Rachel figured out the basics very quickly. All of her music friends at school and the music teachers keep asking her about it. Maybe we can send some business your way!

Happy holidays!

Debbie G

From a customer from New York who purchased a Rikhi Ram Studio sitar.

First off I would like to say, what ever doubts I had about buying an instrument, sight unseen, over the internet has all changed. I had put my trust and instincts in your judgment on Sitars and I am so pleased that I did. The Rikhi Ram Studio Sitar that I purchased from Sitars Etc. is perfect. I will be doing lots of traveling using my Sitar for music therapy and meditation in hospitals and nursing homes in New York and because the instrument and case was designed for the purpose of traveling, I can't tell you how relieved I am for it's portability and great sound. The transducer that comes with the Sitar also allows me to amplify the sound for larger rooms and auditoriums. Because of it's compact size and light weight, it doesn't put a strain on my heart as I had a heart attack several years ago that had damaged two thirds of my heart muscle. With diet and exercise my heart muscle has recovered to half usage of my heart, so now I can go out and help others recover using the beautiful music of Sitar. Sitars Etc. will be my only place to shop for my Sitar needs. Thank you so much Bharat for your knowledge and help in making me choose the perfect instrument for my needs. God bless you and Sitars Etc.

Yours,

John M.

From a customer from San Francisco who purchased Sitars Etc. benaras mizrabs.

Dear Sitars Etc.,

My package arrived today -- thank you for your prompt delivery. The Varanasi mizrabs fit great -- they are the best fitting mizrabs that I have found to date!

Thanks again,
Jason S.

From a customer from Perth, Australia who purchased a Su Gita half-decoration sitar.

Hey Bharat

..., I finally picked up my sitar yesterday, bought it home, tuned it up and ascended into sitar nirvana. Yes, it is f%$#!*ing amazing. I am completely overwhelmed and eternally grateful to you for making this possible for me. Thank you so much. It just sounds so incredible and it is flawless. I've gone over it with a fine tooth and comb and cannot find a single fault, not even a minor one. It tuned up so easily, I played it all day, woke up the next morning and it was still completely in tune. The pegs are like machine heads on a guitar, just so easy to adjust, no slipping what so ever. Thank you Thank you Thank you. The design, the French polish finish, the sympathetic resonance is mind blowing. It's tone is so creamy and refined, when you play this sitar it's like it's massaging you on a molecular level, the sound permeates your whole being. Simply exquisite.

...

Anyway, I'm now looking at buying a dilruba and a tamboura in about three weeks. Until then I'll be playing myself into the cosmos. Once again Thank you so much.

Eternally Grateful

Scott M.

From a customer from Tyler Texas who purchased an electronic tanpura.

Thanks so much for the speedy shipping. I am enjoying the Raagini already.

The incense was a nice touch. Maybe I'll buy some tabla next.

Eddie O.

From a customer from Venice, CA who purchased Sitar accessories.

Thank you so much for your call today.

I appreciate your attention and concern for making my small mizrab order correct as a new sitar player i appreciate your service and information.

Thank you,

R. D. H.

From a customer from Burbank, CA who purchased a Turkish Divan Saz.

I recently bought a short neck fully decorated Divan saz from your company, and it arrived safely. It is a very good instrument and it sounds great.

...

Thanks ... for your help.

Gary C.

From a customer from Bracciano-Forli, Italy who purchased Parampara tabla heads.

Good Morning! I'm Fabrizio , I bought 2 tabla heads,
some days ago. I think I'm a serious and advanced tabla
student and I also think that you are serious seller.
Your products are little expensive, but you sent me
best quality of tabla skins. (There are not too many sellers
like you.)

Great service and quality product.

Thank you.

I will suggest yours site to my friends.

Blessings.

Fabrizio D.
.

From a customer from Releigh, NC who purchased a Varanasi Market Munda sitar.

Hey guys! Thank you so much for all of your help! The sitar is great,
and I'm quite pleased! I'll be sure to do business with you again.

Thomas J.

From a customer from Sydney, Australia who purchased an MKS sitar.

Dear Bharat,

Just letting you know that i received the sitar yesterday morning. It is beautiful and my friend really loves it. Thank you so much for all your help you have been great. You were so helpful compared to
other places I was looking at before I purchased the sitar from Sitars Etc. And you always responded to my emails quickly.

Thank you once again.

Yannick H

From a customer from the state of Washington who purchased a Hiren Roy Sitar.

Hello Bharat!

The Hiren Roy has arrived! It is a truly beautiful instrument! I have
taken the time to set it up and let it adjust to it's new home and the
meeting could not be better! Everything arrived in perfect condition. The packing was done with great care and arrived faster than expected.

I owe great thanks to you for your guidance and communication throughout the purchasing process. Your service always proves to be the best, most honest, and reliable out there. Very comforting!

So, again thank you for all your help! I am excited to grow with my new companion, Hiren Roy!

...soon!

Kimo M.

From a customer from Israel who purchased a daya and tabla set from Sitars Etc.'s Parampara line of Tablas.

first of all i want to thank you for everything you did in the last two days. you showed me that i have someone i can trust even if im buying something over the internet which is very rare.i thank you for sending me a new tabla you can be sure that i will buy from you again in the near future and i will tell anybody who is dealing with tabla and indian music about you and your shop. i will post a thread in the tabla forum so everybody will know.

Thank you

Yaniv L.

From a customer from Dublin, Ireland who purchased accessoreis.

Hi,
just a note to confirm that I received the various items I ordered from you last week.

I was very pleasantly surprised that they arrived so soon ... from such a distance.
I normally don't receive deliveries that quickly from England!

Although it was only a number of small and inexpensive items, thanks for the care taken in packing them.

...

John C.

From a customer from California who purchased a Sitars Etc. Varanasi Market Munda Sitar.

hey i just got the sitar its an amazing instrument...

Ian H.

From a customer from Pennsylvania who purchased a Sitars Etc. Raagini electronic Tanpura

Thanks a million for the fast service. My raagini tanpura got to me two days before my concert. The concert was a big success.

John S.

From a customer from Michigan who purchased a Sitars Etc. Rikhi Ram Tanpura.

Arrived safely. Is truly beautiful and sounds wonderful. I will play a
while with these 'guitar' strings, and then try the steel ones and put
a transducer on it. Thanks so much!

Robert N.

From a customer from Sweden who purchased a Pre-owned Sitars Etc. Rikhi Ram teak Gandhar Pancham Professional.

Hello Bharat,

The sitar has arrived.

I really love the sound and look, it is simply gorgeous

Thank you very much for handling everything so well.

...

Best Wishes,

Nick R.

From a customer from Wisconsin who purchased a Sitars Etc. Srishti Standard and a kaftan.

Hello!

First of all, I would like to say that the Srishti Standard sitar that I received from you is beautiful and fun to play. It arrived in great condition. ...

I am very happy with my sitar and I enjoy playing it for hours a day!

I have been playing with my sitar for many more hours ... and I find that it is a very fine instrument with good tones and action. ... Your explanations make good sense and are also a good insight into the playing style of the sitar. I will practice technique more in the coming days.

I would like to say that I am very impressed with the tone of the sitar when played. Maybe sites I visited before buying a sitar said something like "don't be surprised if your sitar doesn't sound like Ravi Shankar's right away." I think that the sitar sounds just as good if not better than the sound samples on your website and I am very pleased with it. Thank you for your help again!

Thank you ...

Regards,

Peter B.

From a customer from Virginia who purchased Sitars Etc. wound tanpura strings for his instrumental and male vocal tanpura

Hi Bharat,

I just wanted to let you know that I have received and mounted the strings, and am very happy with the results. The wound strings made the instrumental tanpura sound like a different instrument, it was great. I was a little concerned about the length of the other strings, so I mounted them on the female tanputa instead, and again the results were great.

I will be looking forward to when you get the full-size Pyramid strings, I will want to order a 39" set for the male tanpura, and probably some replacment sets to have on hand. Please be sure to put a big notice on your web site when you get them! :-)

Thanks for all your help!

Regards,

Keith A

From a customer from Maryland who purchased a Srishti Kharaj Pancham Student sitar.

Bharat-
I just got the sitar yesterday and I couldn't be happier with it. The
book has been very helpful so far, and the sitar sounds great. Also, thanks for the incense and all you help with the emails.

Thanks-

Ian S.

From a customer from Sweden who purchased a pre-owned Rikhi Ram gandhar Pancham teak sitar.

Hello Bharat,

The sitar has arrived.

I really love the sound and look, it is simply gorgeous

Thank you very much for handling everything so well.

Give my regards to Devaprakash.

Best Wishes,

Nick

From a customer from Singapore who purchased a Raagini and a Riyaz Master.

Hello there - -

I just wanted to let you know that I received the items from you several weeks ago. Everything arrived just fine, and I wanted to thank you very much for such excellent service and superb communication during the process.

I'm looking forward to both (1) telling others about how great your store and services are, and (2) making more purchases from you going forward.

As my activities with Indian classical music grow (and they are already), I know to go straight to Sitars Etc for all my equipment needs.

Thanks again!

mz

From a customer from Texas who purchased a Raagini Electronic Tanpura.

Dear guys - I just wanted you to know that I received the Digital Raagini today which was ahead of the projected schedule. It sounds great and works just like it should.

I appreciate you taking the time and effort to secure these foreign instruments and in taking care of business. And I appreciate the more than competitive price.

I can't ask for more, but you did more by sending complimentary incense. Nice touch.

Bill

From a customer from Maryland who purchased a Pre-Owned special GP Surbahar.

Dear Bharat,

I just want you to know that the Surbahar has arrived.
I am so pleased with the instrument, I really can't say thank you enough.

Thank you and everyone at sitarsetc, so much.

It arrived in time for my first lesson with Shubha Sankaran.
http://www.surbahar.com/

She and her husband were both very impressed with the quality of the instrument.

There where a few other students of Shubha's there in the first part
of the evening, and they too were impressed, I was happy to tell them about Sitars Ect. and point them to your webpage.

At one point Shubha said, "I love this instrument!" and I knew I got a good one! I trust my teacher's word!

Thanks again. 1000 thanks. I look forward to doing buisness with you in the future .

Warm Regards,

~ Daniel M.

From a customer from Greece who purchased a MKS Ravi Shankar Jawari special Angurpata full decoration sitar.

DEAR BHARAT

HI,

THE SITAR ARRIVED YESTERDAY. GIVE MY REGARDS TO MONO K. SARDAR FOR THE PERFECT AND SAFE SHIPPING PACK!

ALL ARE IN GOOD CONDITION! AT LAST, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT I LIKE VERY MUCH THE EXTREME COLOR OF THE CASE -RED AT LAST AS I ASKED

TO-THE EXTRAS AND THE VERY BEAUTIFULL INSTRUMENT.I HAVE TO TUNE IT FIRST AND BE FAMILIAR FOR UNDERSTAND ITS QUALITY ,SO ON THE NEXT DAYS I'LL WRITE A REVIEW AND SEND IT TO YOU TO PUT IN CUSTOMER'S WORDS . HAVE YOU ANY SUGGESTIONS TO GIVE ME FOR THE FIRST STEPS WITH THE
INSTRUMENT?IT WILL BE WELCOME.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR EXCELLENT SERVICE AND SUPPORT

BEST WISHES
YANNIS K.

From a customer from Massachusetts who bought a set of student tabla and a sruti box and a ghatam and a double-headed barrel drum-mridang and Bharata Natyam bells and a kurta and pajami pants and silver ankle bells and a South Indian tambourine-Kanjira and a tabla fiberglass case and a tabla tuner...and is naming her next cat Nag Champa....

Dear Customers,

If you are going to order from Sitars Etc., you will be in for a treat. These people have far exceeded any other companies I've ordered from in their honesty, kindness, good quality of products, and prompt and excellent shipping.

Bharat, the owner, is very generous with his time. He has answered numerous questions from me about instruments, dance apparel and equipment, and clothing. He has emailed me photographs, excerpts from recordings, and careful explanations of how instruments are constructed and used. He even arranged for his daughter, a Bharata Natyam dancer, to answer questions and advise me on the wearing and maintenance of the heavy leg-bells used in that form of dance.

Bharat is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. He has an extraordinary knowledge of the history and use of a vast array of Indian musical instruments, and also of instruments from outlying areas. He also has a very deep knowledge of history and linguistics. Yet he is modest and accommodating, and dedicated to providing the best service and instruments possible to his customers. His responses to questions are highly individualized, and show great insight. As a client, you will be respected as a unique individual.

The instruments are top-notch, as are the dance and apparel items.

If you have any confusion over how to play or care for the instruments, you will be able to seek and receive careful advice from Sitars Etc., long after the purchase is made.

I honestly cannot say sufficiently how highly I respect this company.

Wishing you the joy of music and dance,

Presto R.

--currently of Massachusetts

From a customer, a beginning sitar student in the prime of his life, from Indiana, who purchased accessories for his sitar.

Gentemen,

I greatly enjoyed our conversation while I placed my order the other day. The package was recieved on Thursday the 9th & I am truely delighted with all of the items received in such a timely fashion. The quality was great, & my teacher said your strings were very good & the proper gauge. My elephant oil box is cute, & I love the oil preparation. My Benares mizrafi are definitely heavier, but they hold better and the control & strike is wonderful, much like a jazz heavy guitar pick, .... Your narkas are very helpful & again my teacher was very happy with his. All of the other accessories were first rate, haven't had a chance to try the liquid peg rosin so I'll let you know how it works.

... We will also pass your name on to all so they can purchase your high quality accessories. Thank you again & I look forward to speaking to you in the future.

Brian D.

From a customer, a beginning sitar student in the prime of his life, from Indiana, who purchased accessories for his sitar.

Gentemen,

... We will also pass your name on to all so they can purchase your high quality accessories. Thank you again & I look forward to speaking to you in the future.

Brian D.

From a customer from Idaho who purchased A Mangala Prasad Sharma Concert Tun Sitar (Rose Petal).

Dear Bharat,

Thank you so much! My sitar arrived ... the other day.. and
it is beautiful. I have wanted a sitar for years, and I am overjoyed
that I have one now, and it is such an amazingly well built
instruement! I really appreciate your help and services, I couldn't
have asked for more. I have a friend who is going to be taking up the sitar and I highly recommended you. Thanks again!

Ian N.

From a customer from California who purchased a Nagma.

Bharat.

Thank you so much for my machine it works just great, also what a kind gift of incense. Hope to do business with you again, all the best!

Brian C

From a customer from California who purchased an exceptionally good sounding MKS Half decoration sitar.

Bharat.

I received the sitar on Thursday, everything came great, as soon as i started to tune up , i could hear the gorgeous sound. The strings hold very well, the tarabs are have an amazing response and hold there note very well. Ive played it for a total of 12 or so hours since and tuned it to like five different raags, and i can hear the sound start to break. I love the hooks to hold the 3rd and 4th string, its perfect for the low meends, they growl really nicely. its really easy to play on all the strings and the meends are almost effortless. Thanks again Bharat i'm very happy with my instrument.

David V.

From a customer who purchased a Rikhi Ram Tanpura from Michigan.

Arrived safely. Is truly beautiful and sounds wonderful. I will play a while with these 'guitar' strings, and then try the steel ones and put a transducer on it. Thanks so much!

Robert N.

From a customer who purchased a Parampara Professional tabla set from Georgia.

Just wanted to say that I received my tablas today after only ordering them last Sunday. You guys were extremely quick and efficient on the shipment and the tablas came in excellent condition. The packaging was excellent as well. Very impressed. I will definately do business with you guys in the future. Thank you and keep up the good work!!

Sincerely,

Brandon A.

From a very caring and nice customer who purchased a Srishti Half Decorated Standard sitar form Alabama.

Dear Bharat

Sorry for the late reply but looking at how many people have been sending you reviews about their newly bought sitars I just got in the mood to tell you thank you a lot Dhanyavad ki shukriyan

Bharat ji I received my Shrishthi Standard half decorated Model with colored penwork Well packed

I loved the fiberglass case everything came in the most perfect condition. Ialso appreciate your courtesy kit with the strings the hook the fret string even I appreciate the bonus incense which smells wonderful.

I wanted to share with the other customers your attention and kindness and the caring you have towards your customers. In my case I have to add your patience with my excessive phone calls. But seems like as per other customers reviews all of us coincide in that you are the most knowledgeable and human vendor of Indian classical instruments available right now.

My first sitar was a Radha Krishna Sharma not a bad instrument but still in the lower side compared to what Ii have now. Unfortunately that instrument suffered breakage at the
time of my moving to Alabama that it was beyond repair.

My Shrishti sitar has been opening up in the last week and a half since I received it. And the thing does not finish with the sitar because I need to buy all the other gadgets and accessories from you the upper tumba case more strings books etc. and that because of your excellent service and your friendly serviceable and courteous attitude to your customers. I love the sound of that sitar. For the price I really feel the owner of not an amateur instrument but of a professional instrument. The tarafs are so sensible that even when I blow into them they sound softly nothing to say when they resonate when the main strings are played.

Once again Bharat I wanted to show you and the people how happy I am after receiving this wonderful sitar. But the difference is made because of you your knowledge and passion of Indian classical music you knowledge on instrument making and the way you treat people friendly courteous patient and caring. The efforts your putting to make of the web site Sitars etc the wealth of information on it cannot be overemphasized.

Wishing you the best throughout this year count me as one of your most faithful customer and with time I hope a good friend.

My best regards

Dario, ... Alabama

From a customer who's wife bought him a Srishti Standard Sitar from Louisianna.

To Bharat and all at Sitarsetc,

I just wanted to thank you for sending so quickly my new sitar.

It came in perfect condition….It’s been a couple of weeks and I’m still breathless.

My wife bought the Srishti Standard concert model sitar for me.

What a great way to begin a new year.

I haven’t had one since 1971. The main tumba broke into many pieces when I was playing on the road in Colorado…just after I played at the Toronto Peace Festival. There weren’t any fiberglass cases back then.

Bharat, you and I have some of the same stories of trying to learn how to play and getting those "La Bella" sitar strings back in the late 60’s.

I’ve just placed an order for some accessories …my best to all of you there in San Antonio.

...

Thanks again,

Mike O.

From a customer who bought a MKS special Angurpata full decoration Sitar with Ravi Shankar style Jawar from Quebec, Canada.

Hi Bharat,

...

Sorry for my late answer, I’ve been pretty busy lately. I didn’t even have the kindness to thank you for the magnificient sitar I’ve received 3 weeks ago…

Everything was in good shape, nothing damaged, not even a scratch. The first sight of the instrument is breathtaking (even the case itself is impressive), the carved wood work is astonishing, I’ve never seen something to compare on our western side of the world !

It’s a splendid instrument and I’m so happy that you gave me the opportunity to own one… I’ll try to be a good student ! (By the way, if you know a teacher in Montreal, let me know).

I really had a good time tuning it; easier than I thought. The sound is pure delight even if it’s supposed to be better with the time !

I took the time to read the little book that comes with it and “tried” to figure it out but the notions there seem to be all mixed up and a bit confusing for an “American” beginner like me. If the Junius book has a more technical approach (better notations and explanations), YES, if you can send me one, I’ll grately appreciate !

...

Thank you very much Bharat for everything !

Have a nice day,

Patrice

From a customer who bought a RSS Traditional Sitar from New Mexico.

Dear Bharat,

I received the sitar on Thursday and it is a wonderful instrument. ... So far just learning to tune the instrument and hearing the sound it makes is the first step. There is much to learn!

Thank you for the extra strings, incense and the beautiful cloth cover. The mizrabs fit just right although my fingers will need to get accustomed to them.

...

Thanks again,

Mike H.

From a customer who bought a Nagma Lehera from Minnisota.

Hi Bharat. I got my lehera machine yesterday and I love it. I must say you guy's have amazing service and I really appreciate it. I've had nothing but problems with a certain store in California in the past, so it was a refreshing change. You have my business!

Thanks again!

Rikki D.

From a customer who bought a 45 y/o Hiren Roy Sitar from Texas.

Hello Bharat,

Thanks for ... the HR sitar. It is a beautiful instrument and I will treasure it for as long as I am able
to play.
...

Warm Regards,
Vivian W.

From a customer who is having repair work on her Rikhi Ram Sitar from Texas.

Thanks for providing such an invaluable resource and service. When I
had to travel to Santa Rosa for Jawari repairs and was ordering my
sitar from India, there was a lot of work, expense and huge amounts of
anxiety involved (while watching the TSA inspect my sitar, getting it
off the plane and it was wet inside the case, yikes!)

It's really great knowing I can get really good instruments and repair
work close to home. Not to mention less time and money for travel.
It's wonderful to work with a person who loves this music and is
knowledgable.

Vivian W.

From a customer who purchased sitar accessories from Oregon.

I must say.....YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! I just received notification from FedEx that my order is already in their hands and will be delivered on Friday. I work for a major gift mail order company in the Fulfillment Division (shipping end of the business) and I am totally impressed with your speed! Kudos to you!

Joyce P

From a customer who purchased a Srishti Standard with colored penwork from Kansas.

Hello Bharat

The sitar arrived end of day yesterday. It looks and sounds great. I stayed up late playing it until the pain in my left finger and right hip made finally made me stop!

Thanks again for all your help.

Take care,

Maria S.

From a customer who purchased some accessories from Georgia.

Hello!

I wanted to let you know everything arrived yesterday and I am very pleased, nay, overwhelmed, by the wonderful quality of the items and the speed and efficiency of your service.

Many thanks. The first of many orders!

Ken S

From a customer who purchased a custom Rikhi Ram Sitar

Hi Bharat,

I've just received the Sitar this weekend. It's beautiful and well worth the wait - I'm very pleased. Thank you very much for all of your kind help and perserverence!

Mont M.

From a customer who purchased Pyramid Strings from British Columbia Canada.

Thanks Bharat, ...
thanks for your pyramid strings, i got them few days ago, with a nice pack
of incense sticks from you!

Regards
Roland V.

From a customer who purchased a Sitars Etc T-shirt Alberta Canada.

Thank You very much for the Sitars Etc.t-shirt. It was exactly what I wanted, perfect fit and everything. Also, thank you for the free incense, a nice bonus to find!

Thanks again
Evan S.

From a customer who purchased accessories and gifts from Conneticut.

Just wanted to say thank you, I received my order Friday and am very pleased. The service was great and delivery very fast! I would gladly order with you again (if I could only learn to play sitar!).

Thanks again, and best wishes!

Gerald C.

From a customer who purchased an MKS Full Decoration Sitar with open jawari and specail angurpatta decoration from the UK.

Hello Bharat,

Great news. The sitar arrived safely this morning. I've unpacked it and everything looks immaculate. Of course it will take a while for me to 'break it in', but my initial reaction is WOW ! Good build, good sound.

I'll forever be grateful for all the effort you put into the order. Please pass on my thanks onto your team, and not least Monoj-ji and his team. He's done good work here.

Hassni,

From a customer who purchased our #2 harmonium from California.

Bharat,

I wanted to thank you for the harmonium, it sounds amazing , and the banner is hanging up in my room. ...

thank you

Chris

From a customer who purchased a sitar accessories from New York.

Dear Bharat,

Thank you for all of your help today. I am very pleased with the Sitar accessories I ordered and if I keep browsing your website, - which I have enjoyed doing today - there will be more orders to come:-))

Peace, Love and Harmony,

Bev

From a customer who purchased a sitar case from Canada.

Hi bharat,
just received the case, thanks for the quick turn around! That is really a well packed box. ...

It fits perfectly in the case. The tomba is snug. Y ou would think it was made for it!

Thanks,
Paul B.

From a customer who purchased a sitar case from California.

Hi Bharat- I was happy to receive the sitar case today and am quite pleased with it.

Thanks again!

Evan H.

From a customer who purchased accessories from the Neatherlands.

Hi Bharat,

Thanks for your great service!! Next time I am definetly going to order again by you....

The peg rosin works great!! and the 017 string is much better (louder, not detuning so much)...

Thanks again,

Barend T.

From a customer who purchased accessories from Iowa.

Hello again,

Just yesterday I received my order from you of strings and fret thread; I appreciate the safe and fast delivery. ... I look forward to doing more business with you in the near future.
...
Thanks again so much for your help.

Sincerely,
Allison S.

From a customer who purchased Srishti Garland from France.

Hi Bharat,

I have receive the sitar today. First I would like to say that I find it really beautiful, it’s a real good work, all my congratulations to the craftsman !!!

...

Thank you very much
Nicolas H.

From a customer who purchased Pyramid strings and other accessories from Saskatoon Cananda.

Thanks a bunch, I received my order a few days ago and just wanted to say that I am very impresed with the sound and feel of the strings. I only took up sitar recently and the instrument I purchased came with La bella strings which I knew imediatly there was something not quite right. I have played guitar for most of my life so I know how important the quality of strings are. ...

Thanks again.

NAMASTE.
Evan J.

From a customer who purchased a new synthetic bridge manufactured by Sitars Etc. and had his sitar worked on by our sitar tech. The customer is from Arizona.

Hi Bharat,

I like the synthetic bridge very much. I tried it based on only some comments by others and the fact that I knew it would hold the jawari longer, but I find that it is very "warm" and the sitar seems to have even more of the woody tone I like. It seems a little less bright, although the more closed jawari might contribute to that as well. This MPS is a loud sitar and it works fine for it. I would have no problem recommending it to others.

(from another email)
...
I performed with my new bridge to a good turnout on Sunday morning (yes, a rare morning raga performance- nobody ever seems to perform those!) and I really love the way the sitar feels and sounds.

Namaste,

Pete

From a customer who purchased an electronic DG 100 from Australia