The Instrument Workshop

The Instrument Workshop

P.O. Box 1060

Ashland, OR 97520

Telephone: 541 552 0989
Toll free (US/Canada): 800 442 6038

Fax: 541 488 5846

Strings for Harps, Sitars, Subahars etc

This catalog lists available strings for East Indian instruments of the sitar family and for wire strung harps. All of the items of interest are located in other files, which are linked to from the menu below. If you are a technician or maker of non bowed stringed instruments, or are looking for supplies and parts for such instruments, go to our homepage. .

Strings and Wire

Wire for strings is available in small and large coils, on spools, and as individual strings with a loop at one end (2 per pack). String diameters are given in thousandths of an inch. Thus 12 refers to a diameter of 0.012". For conversion to other measuring systems, and for the amount of wire on a coil or spool, see the table in the file on strings and wire. When ordering, state the catalog number followed by the diameter like 1633-14 for a small coil of phosphor bronze wire of diameter 0.014". You will find the listings of all available wire in the strings file. In particular, of interest to owners of instruments of the sitar family or wire strung harps are the following:

Strings and Wire for Sitars etc

Roeslau Music Wire - a non coated high tensil music wire from Germany, diameters 07 to 18

Phosphor Bronze Wire - grade A wire in diameters 08 to 32

Stringing Chart for Sitars

Strings and Wire for Wire Strung Harps

Regular Spring Brass Wire - available in diameters 14 to 36

Stringing Chart for Sitars

The following table lists suggested string diameters for sitars. Diameters are given in thousandths of an inch, i.e. 12 means 0.012". If you are replacing with strings that differ in size from what is on the instrument now, the bridge may need filing by an experienced person to obtain the proper sound. The same is true if the bridge on your sitar has grooves worn into it.

String	Size	Dia	Type
Sympathetic Strings	#0	09	Roeslau music wire
First Main String	#3	12	Roeslau music wire
Second Main String	#4	14	Phosphor bronze wire
Third Main String	#8	20	Phosphor bronze wire
or	#9	22.5	Phosphor bronze wire
Fourth Main String	#12	28.5	Phosphor bronze wire
or	#13	32	Phosphor bronze wire
Fifth Main String	#0	09	Roeslau music wire
Sixth Main String	#0	09	Roeslau music wire

The Instrument Workshop

Strings for Harps, Sitars, Subahars etc

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Strings and Wire

Strings and Wire for Sitars etc

Strings and Wire for Wire Strung Harps

Stringing Chart for Sitars