Indian Instrument Repair, Restoration & Customization
Shipped across India
I repair, restore, and customize sitar, tanpura, surbahar, and other Indian string instruments with Miraj tradition, including jawari adjustment, fret work, crack repairs, and custom designs.
Pricing Guide
Professional Jawari & Tone Setup
Technical Precision
- Bridge Sculpting: Filing the main bridge (Jawari) for Open or Closed sound profiles based on player preference.
- Surface Refinement: Micro-sanding bridge curves to ensure 3-point contact for sympathetic vibration.
- Fret Check: Leveling existing frets to prevent buzzing at the new bridge height.
Material Replacements
- Full Restringing: Installation of fresh high-tensile German Steel (Roslau) and Bronze strings.
- Sympathetic Strings: Replacement of 11-13 tarab strings with accurate gauge wire.
- Bead Adjustment: Fine-tuning of manka beads for smooth operation.
Quality Assurance
- Sustain Test: Ensuring meend glides sustain for 5-7 seconds.
- Intonation: Verifying note accuracy across the octave.
Full Re-Fretting & Alignment
Structural Work
- Thread Replacement: Removing old threads and re-tying ~20 frets using heavy-duty nylon or traditional silk.
- Track Cleaning: Deep scraping of the neck (Dandi) to remove accumulated grime.
- Fret Dressing: Hammering and filing metal fret arches for perfect roundness to prevent snagging.
Calibration
- Thaat Setting: Positioning frets to the specific scale required.
- Action Adjustment: Setting the gap between string and fret for optimal playability.
Complete Structural & Aesthetic Restoration
Woodwork & Repair
- Crack Repair: Sealing hairline cracks in the Gourd or Neck using acoustic-neutral fillers.
- Surface Scraping: Manual removal of all existing polish layers to reach bare wood.
- Inlay Work: Fixing or replacing missing celluloid or bone inlay pieces.
Finish & Aesthetics
- Traditional Polish: Application of 20+ coats of hand-rubbed Shellac in Orange or Reddish-Brown tint.
- Detailing: Re-painting floral motifs on the soundboard if faded.
Final Setup
- Hardware: Lubricating tuning pegs for smooth turning.
- Stringing: Installation of a full set of new strings.
Electric Zitar Conversion
Hardware Installation
- Pickup System: Options ranging from internal Piezo contact mics to sourcing and installing magnetic humbuckers.
- Output Jack: Drilling and fitting a durable 1/4 inch metal jack socket.
Woodwork Modification
- Cavity Routing: Cutting the soundboard to house magnetic pickups without compromising structure.
- Reinforcement: Adding internal wooden braces to support pickup weight.
Electronics
- Shielding: Copper tape shielding of cavities to minimize hum.
- Grounding: Grounding the tailpiece to prevent electric buzz.
- Controls: Installation of volume and tone knobs.
About Indian Instrument Repair, Restoration & Customization
Generations of Craft in Every Repair
Music runs in my veins. I’m Naeem Sitarmaker, and my family’s been building and fixing instruments in Miraj since 1850. For me, each sitar, tanpura, or surbahar isn’t just wood and wire - it’s a living voice. Whether it’s a prized family heirloom or something brand new, I treat every piece with respect and care.
Jawari & The Tone That Matters
Getting the jawari (bridge adjustment) right is what sets apart a good instrument from a concert-ready one. I’ve spent years perfecting jawari adjustment for sitar, tanpura, and surbahar. Many top artists come to me for that “ultimate tone” - smooth, rich, and full of life.
Repair, Restoration & Full Makeover
If your instrument needs a simple repair or a complete rebirth, I’ve got you. I handle:
- Fret setting, stringing, tuning peg fixes (fret ki setting, taar badalna)
- Crack repairs, structural reinforcement
- Full restoration for old or damaged pieces, including detailed polish and design work
Custom Work to Match Your Style
Your instrument should fit your music. I offer:
- Custom instrument design Miraj style, from Vilayat Khan to Ravi Shankar setups
- Left-handed sitars, studio-ready flat-back sitars, electric Zitars
- Designs from plain finish to peacock or floral art If you care more about tone than looks, no worries - we focus on what matters to you.
What I Service
Sitar (acoustic, electric, lefty), tanpura, surbahar, rudra veena, sarangi. Your happiness with your instrument is my biggest reward. Unki khushi mein meri khushi (Their happiness is my happiness).
Meet your Expert
Naeem Sitarmaker
147 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Mera naam Naeem hai, Miraj ka Sitarmaker. Yeh kaam toh hamare khoon mein hai – 1850 se chalta aa raha hai. Mere dadaji, Faridsaheb Sitarmaker, ne yahan pehla string instrument banaya tha. Main ab chhati peedhi hoon. Saaz banana mere liye sirf kaam nahi, ek tarah ki ibadat hai. Hum log apne tumbas ke liye Pandharpur ke kinare se kaddu ugate hain – wahin ki mitti, wahin ki barkat. Jab koi artist mere banaye hue sitar ya tanpura bajata hai, aur uski awaaz pasand karta hai, dil se sukoon milta hai. Chhota ho ya bada, har client mere liye parivar hai.
My Work
Custom Indian Instruments - I make sitars (Vilayat Khan, Ravi Shankar styles), tanpuras, electric Zitar, surbahar, dulcimer, and more.
Made Just For You - Instrument is tailored to your needs - jawari, fret, decoration, sab kuch discuss karke (we discuss everything).
Modern & Travel-Friendly Designs - Innovative stuff like electric Zitar for fusion music, studio tanpura for travel, with top pickups.
Handcrafted Quality - Miraj ki detailed handwork, seasoned wood, and months of effort for ultimate tone.
Safe Worldwide Delivery - Musicians from India, UK, USA play my instruments. We pack securely and ship anywhere.