Thanks for checking in and following my antics. I do really enjoy finding new cool instruments from all around the world. And I'm cautiously optimistic on my recovery situation. LOL.
Mine arrived yesterday. Got it in 8 days from India (fedex). I dig it. For $100 bucks why not? I wonder if the strings can handle multiple tunings? From what I saw online I thought it was only tuned in - low c- c-c - g. I will try others. The bag was cool too. And they threw in an extra set of strings. Awesome. Here's the thing: A lot of guitarist (my first instrument - 1979) have a bunch of guitars in their space. Me too, but there's so much other stuff out there. During the pandemic I picked up a xaphoon, tin whistles, bansuri (waiting on a set of those from "india post" - still in New Delhi, purchased at the same time as the Tanpura). I see you've got a "shruti box". Me too. I've been learning the fiddle for a year now. My only rule right now is: nothing that has to be plugged in. A world of stuff out there. Thanks for the post. Edit: My shakuhachi. How did I forget my shakuhachi?
Thanks for watching the video. I agree this is a fun instrument and I can't wait to use it on a track. From what I understand you can tune these over a few steps and then if you need lower/higher, you can change strings. I think a lot of it is going to be experimentation. Mine seems to work really well in the Eb-F# range.
@@justahumanbeing.709 That's for watching. I don't think this one would work in that tuning. The middle 2 strings are the thinnest with different sized strings on both edges (both heavier than the middle 2). I suppose you could change strings and tune it as you suggest. That would certainly be an intuitive tuning. I'm not an expert on tanpuras but I watched this video to figure out the tuning... th-cam.com/video/waCFEQL_Ee8/w-d-xo.html She suggests 1-8-8-5 (or C-c-c-G).
Thanks for watching the video. I think the only difficult part would be figuring out the bridge. Other than that, it looks like a really simple build. Easier than a cigar box guitar honestly.
Can you tell me what is the spacing between the tanpura strings? I'm thinking about building something like this but I have no reference. Thanks in advance!
The distance across the 4 string grooves (center to center) is about 2-1/16". The would divide out to 11/16" between each string. However, I can tell just by looking that they're not evenly spaced. They're close but the two higher strings are definitely a little closer together than the other 2. That may be by design or it could just be a production flaw. I don't know enough about Tanpuras to know for sure. However, if you're building it yourself, you can do whatever you want.
That type of bridge is actually the same one used on sitars and years ago there was an entire replacement bridge for guitars that was basically this bridge to make it have a similar sound. I remember seeing someone on youtube make a similar thing just by carving a block of wood into the same shape and sliding it in place when they wanted that sound without having to replace the bridge. Also, I can't help but notice that the box tanpura in your picture has fine tuning beads but yours doesn't. Is there no need for fine tuning on these types of tanpuras or is that just something they skipped out to get that low price?
Thanks for watching and I had a feeling a sitar bridge would be similar. As I understand it, the fine tuning beads are more necessary with the friction tuners. The machine tuners generally allow for fine tuning a lot more easily.
Where did you order this from? I've been looking at the standard ones on reverb but the prices are a bit much $. I'm really digging this one and I rather enjoy the flaws.
Thanks for watching. It's definitely made of wood but I don't know what type. The eBay listing doesn't specify either. Perhaps someone else out there knows.
to get a better buzzing sound you need to attach threads between the string and bridge, you can use cotton thread see this vid th-cam.com/video/nF7fYteo1ms/w-d-xo.html also you get better sound by pushing string down and letting the string roll off. Usually tuned low C G G high C.
You know what’s funny is they they packed it so well and yet there wasn’t a lot of quality control with the actual instrument I can hear how crappy you must feel and I’m sure you will use this and fix it right up too! Can’t wait to hear what you come up with Feel better. And I’m also sure you will make one !
It is kinda funny that they spent so much time to protect something that was dinged before it left the factory. LOL. It does really have a magical Eastern tone to it though. I'm anxious to use it on a track. Thanks for watching.
@@musicalmiscellany would you prefer for it to have been more dinged? Handmade instruments can’t be perfect. For 100$ I think it’s just nice not to trash talk the makers who made this instrument for you to enjoy, and the culture it comes from. Remember that your money goes in supporting the livelihood of these makers and keep these instruments and traditions alive, but it is okay to expect humility regardless. As you said, This is not the real structure it’s built with traditionally and the reason this is cheap is because it’s built into a block, may not have the machinery you do in buffing and sanding. Hand sanding is a struggle as a wood worker with limited means. This is also a sacred instrument in Hinduism so it also helps if you do a deeper research to highlight this in your box opening videos also. We know our culture is cool, but if others enjoy aspects of it, we want it represented correctly and fairly. Saying with love. ♥️
Yeah. The workmanship isn't the best... but after looking at it... I think all the magic is in the bridge. Other than that... it's like any other homemade box instrument.
Was thinking of buying this particular one right before you uploaded this video. Great content!
I'm glad I could help. It's not a high quality instrument by any means but it sure does sound cool. Thanks for watching.
I really like the sound of this Tanpura. Looking forward to future videos of it along with other instruments. So glad you're on the mend.
Thank you very much! I hope to come up with something soon. Stay tuned.
It reminds me of a box dulcimer. I bet one of these would be fun to build.
It is really quite similar to a box dulcimer or a lap steel. I think I could easily replicate this if I could figure out how to do the bridge.
That drone through some of your electronics and you have more spooky sound tracks
I'll bet it would sound really cool going through some effects. Particularly a strong reverb. I think you're right... instant soundtrack. LOL.
Sounds amazing wow. That structure is interesting.
Thanks for watching. I really like the sound too.
Hi PS, you never fail to amaze us with your findings. Stay healthy!
Thanks for checking in and following my antics. I do really enjoy finding new cool instruments from all around the world. And I'm cautiously optimistic on my recovery situation. LOL.
Mine arrived yesterday. Got it in 8 days from India (fedex). I dig it. For $100 bucks why not? I wonder if the strings can handle multiple tunings? From what I saw online I thought it was only tuned in - low c- c-c - g. I will try others. The bag was cool too. And they threw in an extra set of strings. Awesome.
Here's the thing: A lot of guitarist (my first instrument - 1979) have a bunch of guitars in their space. Me too, but there's so much other stuff out there. During the pandemic I picked up a xaphoon, tin whistles, bansuri (waiting on a set of those from "india post" - still in New Delhi, purchased at the same time as the Tanpura). I see you've got a "shruti box". Me too. I've been learning the fiddle for a year now. My only rule right now is: nothing that has to be plugged in. A world of stuff out there. Thanks for the post.
Edit: My shakuhachi. How did I forget my shakuhachi?
Thanks for watching the video. I agree this is a fun instrument and I can't wait to use it on a track. From what I understand you can tune these over a few steps and then if you need lower/higher, you can change strings. I think a lot of it is going to be experimentation. Mine seems to work really well in the Eb-F# range.
Tanpuras usually c g g c. Check out persian setars and Tanbours, both cool easy to play middle eastern instruments.
@@justahumanbeing.709 That's for watching. I don't think this one would work in that tuning. The middle 2 strings are the thinnest with different sized strings on both edges (both heavier than the middle 2). I suppose you could change strings and tune it as you suggest. That would certainly be an intuitive tuning.
I'm not an expert on tanpuras but I watched this video to figure out the tuning... th-cam.com/video/waCFEQL_Ee8/w-d-xo.html She suggests 1-8-8-5 (or C-c-c-G).
Man how lucky can you get. I want one. Yes it does sounds magical. Glad you’re feeling better! Hey do you think they’d be fairly easy to build?
Thanks for watching the video. I think the only difficult part would be figuring out the bridge. Other than that, it looks like a really simple build. Easier than a cigar box guitar honestly.
Glad to see your beating Mr.Covid👍,seems like a cool instrument and i have to agree i think you could build one better
Ha ha. Thanks Gary. It is a really fun little instrument but yes... not the greatest workmanship.
Can you tell me what is the spacing between the tanpura strings? I'm thinking about building something like this but I have no reference. Thanks in advance!
The distance across the 4 string grooves (center to center) is about 2-1/16". The would divide out to 11/16" between each string. However, I can tell just by looking that they're not evenly spaced. They're close but the two higher strings are definitely a little closer together than the other 2. That may be by design or it could just be a production flaw. I don't know enough about Tanpuras to know for sure.
However, if you're building it yourself, you can do whatever you want.
@@musicalmiscellany Thanks much for the quick response, really appreciate it.
That type of bridge is actually the same one used on sitars and years ago there was an entire replacement bridge for guitars that was basically this bridge to make it have a similar sound. I remember seeing someone on youtube make a similar thing just by carving a block of wood into the same shape and sliding it in place when they wanted that sound without having to replace the bridge.
Also, I can't help but notice that the box tanpura in your picture has fine tuning beads but yours doesn't. Is there no need for fine tuning on these types of tanpuras or is that just something they skipped out to get that low price?
Thanks for watching and I had a feeling a sitar bridge would be similar. As I understand it, the fine tuning beads are more necessary with the friction tuners. The machine tuners generally allow for fine tuning a lot more easily.
Where did you order this from? I've been looking at the standard ones on reverb but the prices are a bit much $. I'm really digging this one and I rather enjoy the flaws.
Go to eBay, search for "box tanpura" and sort by price. There should be several options around $104. Thanks for watching.
Thank you
It is cool
I appreciate that.
@@musicalmiscellany I think you should let you ox Tanpura meet you modular synthesize and see what's cooking
@@bearshield7138 That could be a really fun combination.
@@musicalmiscellany I will be watching to see what come of this
Can you tell what material is the entire body made of..? Thanks..
Thanks for watching. It's definitely made of wood but I don't know what type. The eBay listing doesn't specify either. Perhaps someone else out there knows.
So, it's like "huge cigar" box acoustic slide guitar drone? I want one.
I think you pretty much nailed it. LOL. Thanks for watching.
to get a better buzzing sound you need to attach threads between the string and bridge, you can use cotton thread see this vid th-cam.com/video/nF7fYteo1ms/w-d-xo.html also you get better sound by pushing string down and letting the string roll off. Usually tuned low C G G high C.
I've seen folks do that and I wasn't sure what it was for. Thanks for video. I will check it out.
You know what’s funny is they they packed it so well and yet there wasn’t a lot of quality control with the actual instrument
I can hear how crappy you must feel and I’m sure you will use this and fix it right up too!
Can’t wait to hear what you come up with
Feel better. And I’m also sure you will make one !
It is kinda funny that they spent so much time to protect something that was dinged before it left the factory. LOL. It does really have a magical Eastern tone to it though. I'm anxious to use it on a track. Thanks for watching.
@@musicalmiscellany would you prefer for it to have been more dinged? Handmade instruments can’t be perfect. For 100$ I think it’s just nice not to trash talk the makers who made this instrument for you to enjoy, and the culture it comes from. Remember that your money goes in supporting the livelihood of these makers and keep these instruments and traditions alive, but it is okay to expect humility regardless. As you said, This is not the real structure it’s built with traditionally and the reason this is cheap is because it’s built into a block, may not have the machinery you do in buffing and sanding. Hand sanding is a struggle as a wood worker with limited means.
This is also a sacred instrument in Hinduism so it also helps if you do a deeper research to highlight this in your box opening videos also. We know our culture is cool, but if others enjoy aspects of it, we want it represented correctly and fairly. Saying with love. ♥️
Interesting! You could definitely build one better than that!
Yeah. The workmanship isn't the best... but after looking at it... I think all the magic is in the bridge. Other than that... it's like any other homemade box instrument.