Today we’re featuring an instrument the likes of which I’ve never seen before. Invented by Miles Schelling, the Sitar Bass fuses elements of the traditional Indian instrument with a bass, resulting in the ability to bend notes a la Indian Classical music while retaining the thump of an electric bass.
“The curved frets allow for notes to be bent with great control and expression,” Schelling tells us. “The body of the instruments are made in Miraj, MH, India by the Sitarmaker family, 6th generation sitar makers. The sitarbass has a slightly hollowed neck and is made from red cedar to reduce weight. Rail-type 5 string Bartolini P/J pickups ensure consistent coverage while bending each of the four strings and the two coils of the p-bass style pickup are angled to match the curve of the frets.”
Several Sitar Basses have been built to date. The latest, dubbed Mountain, has ornate abalone inlays and hand carvings. You can hear the bass in action on the Sitar Bass Facebook page.