Carbonator Sitar Full Front View
A more or less traditional sitar outline was kept. I was also able to keep the main strings in a straight line going to the tuners.
Carbonator Sitar Head Stock
The top strings go to the tuners in a straight line with only one string clip needed for the first two strings.
Carbonator Sitar Head Stock Profile
The 'Grover' mini tuners were a good choice. Once settled in, the strings stay in tune. The black delrin string nut is set at an arc to allow for more accurate intonation of the third (bass) string.
Carbonator Sitar Badge
I just wanted everyone to know who made it and where it was made ! ! !
Carbonator Sitar Body Top View
There is SO much going on here ! The supports for both bridges are removable. This will make sympathetic string changing much easier to accomplish.
Carbonator Sitar Body Profile 1
Even the pickup support leg was shaped to blend with the overall design.
Carbonator Sitar Body Profile 2
It was necessary to angle the pickup down and slightly forward to match all the different string angles that would occur during playing of the instrument. The sympathetic strings needed to be parallel to the underside of the pickup so that bridge also had to be properly angled. Angles and clearances became quite an issue but was finally resolved.
Carbonator Sitar Body Profile 3
The body piece holding the twelve sympathetic string tuners had to be angled down and shifted away from the body centerline to allow an even distribution of the strings leading from the back of the bridge.
Carbonator Sitar Body Profile 4
The 'CTS' controls are very smooth to operate. The faceplate they are connected to has full copper shielding and direct grounding.