• From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Topic: On India...

...the record version, does anyone know whose playing the sitar? Is it Joe? I knew Derek Trucks learned to play the sarod at Ali Akbar Khan's College of Music, but I didn't know Joe had any experience with Indian instruments...?

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: On India...

I believe it's a regular acoustic but the technique is made to sound like a sitar. Can anybody confirm this, or maybe I'm just bat**** crazy?

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Re: On India...

Deezer wrote:

I believe it's a regular acoustic but the technique is made to sound like a sitar. Can anybody confirm this, or maybe I'm just bat**** crazy?

This makes sense. It would be my guess. But like you, I don't know

-E

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  • From: Minnesota
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Re: On India...

Deezer wrote:

I believe it's a regular acoustic but the technique is made to sound like a sitar.

That's what I've always thought.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: On India...

If I'm not mistaken it's a 12-string acoustic guitar that was tuned open (probably open E) and played with some Eastern style scales/chords.

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  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: On India...

It's just odd because when listening to it I hear that distinct sitar drone, you know? I'm hoping Joe will weigh in on this, because it's a unique sound that I just really dig.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: On India...

Danny! wrote:

It's just odd because when listening to it I hear that distinct sitar drone, you know? I'm hoping Joe will weigh in on this, because it's a unique sound that I just really dig.

Yes it's a very cool sound that really stands out on that album.  That droning is the open tuning I believe, he's strumming or hitting open strings while playing over it with that eastern sounding stuff.  I could be wrong though because if it has strings there's a good chance that Joe knows how to play it.  I know Eric Johnson owns an electric sitar/guitar and used it on his "Bloom" album.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: On India...

That's cool about Eric Johnson, I always thought he just used harmonics 2 octaves up for that cool sitar stuff.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan

9 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2009-10-19 17:38:43)

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  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: On India...

He was said to have bought a sitar in his actual India travels (search Mumbai, India) after Sloe Gin had actually been released. I believe he only played guitar in SOME off tuning, not even sure if that's 12 string.  You'd think he'd break out the sitar if he's got it down on that yet or the 12 string if that was actually the case...Intriguing sound to say the least. The upper register stuff almost sound like it could be plucked piano strings on the soundboard??? I think it's just 2 parts overdubbed, and Rick on the tabla really gives it that Eastern rendition sound, but the so-called "suitar" [sic] sounds seems subtle to me, in my opinion only perhaps.
I think I am overdue for another listen as I am spouting without benefit of a studio album version recent listen...
Off I go...
I think Eric used a sitar on Soulful Terrain & others on Tones album also?
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Rocket

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