Sitar repair

[Taffy Evans]

Some time ago I think there was a post about repairing an instrument that could not be accessed from the inside, I cant find it now, but here is my approach to a repair on an instrument that has no access to the inside.


I had this repair some years ago on a Sitar where the bowl back was badly cracked in transit; I think the pictures will tell the story. I can’t find any photos of the finished job, but the work was touched up with stain to hide the repair and varnished.

The rubber bands pulled the gourd back into shape; I then drilled holes at strategic points to take spring clamps that I had customized for the job, to pull the cracks together after the glue was applied. The holes were then filled with timber dowels and stained to match the rest of the body.

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[matthew]

Clever chap. Gourds are tricky. My brother plays Kora, I've worked a bit on them, but the brittleness of the gourd scares me off!

[DarwinStrings]

Gourd blimey Taff, I will keep that in my list of tricks, cheers for the ongoing education.

Jim

[Allen]

Tell us all that you had at least one sleepless night thinking that repair out Taffy.

Brilliant results and that technique is going to get filed away for the future.

[charangohabsburg]

Nice work!

I then drilled holes at strategic points to take spring clamps that I had customized for the job, to pull the cracks together after the glue was applied.

How do the points of such a customized spring clamp look like (side view)?

[Taffy Evans]

Hi Markus, just reshape the ends of the clamps you have [normally flat/wide] to fit into the size hole you chose to drill which of course will be round.

[charangohabsburg]

Thanks Taffy. I have not been sure if you soldered something on them. It's good to know that reshaping will do the job.

[m3hr]

Hello Taffy,
I've discovered a similar crack across the curve of my sitar's gourd. I live in Sydney and can not find anyone who specializes in repairing Indian stringed instruments. Would you be able to repair my Sitar? My only concern is if it's a good idea to have the damaged instrument transported in this condition ( I dont have a hard case). Thanks!

[woodrat]

Gourd Work Taffy!!!

[Taffy Evans]

Hi M3hr, I did get an email on this subject and have responded.
There may be repairers in Sydney that could do the job, if one repairs stringed instruments then you repair stringed instruments. It may involve doing some research and a fair bit of preparation. I do not specialise in any one type of instrument but adapt my skills to the instrument on the bench, being mindful of not affecting it's originality or value if it is a collectible instrument. Safest distance is the shortest distance, I reckon.

[m3hr]

Thanks Taff, can you recommend someone in Sydney that you might know of? I'm new here and don't feel comfortable just picking someone off the net.

[Taffy Evans]

Sorry I don't know anybody in Sydney area but I'm sure someone in the forum can help you.