The See-Tar is a fully transparent solid-body electric sitar made from plexiglass (PMMA), created for Indian sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee. The original idea came from Purbayan in 2014; I developed the design and technical drawings at SiTAR FAcToRY and completed the instrument in 2015.
Combining traditional sitar elements with modern materials, electric amplification and integrated light effects, the See-Tar was an experiment in how far the familiar form and playing characteristics of a sitar could be taken into a completely different construction. This page documents its specifications, materials, drawings and construction process.
Specifications Materials Drawings The making of Press Video More about
This instrument has been made on demand
The original idea comes from Purbayan Chatterjee (May 2014)
Design & drawings by Klaas Janssens @ SiTAR FAcToRY (September 2014)
Raw plexiglass body is made by Patricia Stoops & Alexander @ Plexi Reine (Januari/April 2015)
Assembly & completion by Klaas Janssens @ SiTAR FAcToRY (May/June 2015)
Specifications
Dimensions: 1070mm x 300mm x 105mm (L x W x H)
Neck width: 90mm
Scale: 822mm
Weight: 3,25kg
String configuration: Ustad Vilayat Khansahib
Parda setting: traditional (20 with no Komal Dha or Re)
Materials
Body: modified PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) = plexiglass
Parts: Black Buffalo horn & modified PMMA
Pardas: Nickel Silver wire 5,0mm diameter
Machine heads: M6 Mini / Schaller
Pickup: Slimbucker™ Jazz guitar pickup / Kent Armstrong
Strings: Silver plated steel N°3 (0,30mm) & N°0 (0,23mm) / Pyramid
Nickel flatwound Jora N°26 (0,46mm) / Pyramid
Drawings
click on the pictures for zoom or alternative view
The making of
1 The plexiglass body, as coming from Plexi Reine
2 Making the main parts out of black buffalo horn
2.1 taardan
2.2 langot
2.3 jawari
3 Assembly
3.1 taardan & machine heads
3.2 langot
3.3 pardas & cikari posts
4 Installing electronics for sound reproduction
4.1 pickup mount
4.2 potmeters & jack
5 Installing electronics for light effects
6 Amazing color effects
Press
Video
More about the See-Tar
Read the story of the original See-Tar and its first performance with Purbayan Chatterjee.
is the seetar available ?
Hello,
I would appreciate it if you could provide me with the price for See Taar. You have done an incredible job, and I am genuinely impressed with the design and look. I look forward to your response.
I am very sorry but the See-Tar is discontinued. I currently don’t make it anymore.
Hi
I just got the news tha Purbayans Plexiglass Sitar got damaged.
I am interested in purchasing the Plexiglass Sitar. So if you are making some new ones pls let me know.
Hope to hear from you.
Hans
LOOKS AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a huge fan of plexiglass instruments.
I was waiting to see if somebody would come up with a Dan Armstrong type plexiglass body for a sitar. Very happy to see it has now come to pass. Beautiful job in concept, design, engineering and assembly. Nice clean wiring as well. Congratulations on taking this idea and making a superb job of it. Well done ! ! !
Hi Tony, thank you for your kind comment.
But credit where credit is due: the original idea came from Purbayan Chatterjee. The challenge for me was only to make it come true, and yes, of course I am a kind of proud about the result. The instrument plays perfectly well and sounds amazingly good. Even pure acoustically a well-balanced sound comes out. It is very suitable for practice sessions or a late evening cosy intimate play with your most beloved one(s)… 😉
Hello,
I’m interested by this sitar.
What is his price? There is no sympathic string: what about the sound?
Best regard
Patrick
This sitar is made on special request and not for sale. But, if you want, I can make a new one. Please contact via mail.
The sound is superb. Check-out on Purbayan Chatterjee concerts…