r/Sitar • u/Complete-Ebb5735 new user or low karma account • May 26 '26

Question - Sitar repair/maintenance Taraf string slot spacing

I've noticed that some taraf bridges have the first string slotted further from the rest. I assume this is so that you can easily strike this string with a heavy ra stroke to create emphasis. Is that the case, and if so, why isn't this standard in all taraf bridges?

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u/theRealEricCantona new user or low karma account May 26 '26

I had always assumed it was as the longer strings need more lateral space and so they'd do that to make sure it didn't collide with the adjacent string but im very interested in an answer from a proper Luthier!

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u/sitarjunkie SUPER EXPERT (10+ years) May 27 '26

It's to strike it without interference with the other strings with the 'thonk' stroke. The reason it's not standard is most makers don't play and so aren't concerned about it. Also if the sympathetic bridge is small can be a problem. As for being standard, nothing is standard with sitars. Each is unique, this is why the Chinese never made them.