Coral Vincent Bell Sitar Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1967)
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Item # 11061
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Coral Vincent Bell Sitar Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1967), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 5037, crystaline paint finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
One of the coolest and most interesting oddball instruments of the 1960s, the Coral Electric Sitar has long since gone beyond novelty status and proved to be a practical and surprisingly timeless creation. It was the most elaborate of the many designs East Coast session guitarist Vinnie Bell created for Nathan Daniel's Danelectro organization in the 1960s. Wanting to use the sitar sound on sessions but not grapple with the complex instrument itself, Bell adapted the graduated "Sitarmatic" bridge that combines the Indian instrument's traditional buzzing, twangy tonality with the playability of an electric guitar.
Besides the six standard "play" strings tuned in standard guitar mode the Coral sitar offers an array of "drone" strings along the upper bout. These are designed to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being sounded, and can also be used for special effects. The three pickups each with individual tone and volume controls allow all the sounds to be easily blended. The body shape is eccentric, originally designed by Bell for himself and actually quite comfortable to play.
This instrument was launched in a blaze of publicity in late '67/early'68 but was only in production for less than two years before the untimely demise of Danelectro, and so is fairly rare today despite being somewhat popular when new. Numerous re-issues have appeared since, but the original is still the greatest. This is a very early production example with the "Patent Pending" sticker on the back of the headstock and a neck stamp indicating it was fabricated the 50th week of 1967.
In the later 1960s, '70s and beyond the electric Sitar added its totally distinctive tone to many famous recordings in every genre from country to R&B and for a while was a must in every session guitarist's arsenal. Quite a few hit records still in heavy rotation in "oldies" formats make great use of the unmistakable sound, including some classic vintage soul records with no psychedelic intent at all! This is still a very useful recording instrument which can add a distinctive flavor to a wide range of music beyond its 1960s roots. Although imitated over the last couple of decades the original Vinnie Bell Coral Electric Sitar remains the original off-the-wall classic that has yet to be bettered!
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a lovely original and fine playing example, with only some very minor wear and tear. The original crackle-textured "Bombay Red" finish has some minor chipping, dings and dents, mostly to the edges but no large areas of wear. The lower body horn has had the tip touched up. There is very minor corrosion to some of the metal hardware, but everything appears original and complete except the rear upper plastic handrest panel is a very accurate replacement; these have often been cracked and indeed the original piece is still packed away in the case, neatly split in half. Several of the original knobs show some light discoloration to the side ribs as the plasticizer leeches out of the black plastic, but all are completely solid.
The original frets show virtually no wear and this Coral plays and sounds just as it should, set up for a strong helping of the classic buzzing tone they are famous for. Overall this is a wonderful creation and a fitting memorial to the oft-forgotten genius of Vinnie Bell, who passed away recently. The original case is included in nice shape and contains a catalog page detailing the instrument and -- something we have never seen before -- a partially used and very elaborate original string packet. Overall Excellent - Condition.
One of the coolest and most interesting oddball instruments of the 1960s, the Coral Electric Sitar has long since gone beyond novelty status and proved to be a practical and surprisingly timeless creation. It was the most elaborate of the many designs East Coast session guitarist Vinnie Bell created for Nathan Daniel's Danelectro organization in the 1960s. Wanting to use the sitar sound on sessions but not grapple with the complex instrument itself, Bell adapted the graduated "Sitarmatic" bridge that combines the Indian instrument's traditional buzzing, twangy tonality with the playability of an electric guitar.
Besides the six standard "play" strings tuned in standard guitar mode the Coral sitar offers an array of "drone" strings along the upper bout. These are designed to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being sounded, and can also be used for special effects. The three pickups each with individual tone and volume controls allow all the sounds to be easily blended. The body shape is eccentric, originally designed by Bell for himself and actually quite comfortable to play.
This instrument was launched in a blaze of publicity in late '67/early'68 but was only in production for less than two years before the untimely demise of Danelectro, and so is fairly rare today despite being somewhat popular when new. Numerous re-issues have appeared since, but the original is still the greatest. This is a very early production example with the "Patent Pending" sticker on the back of the headstock and a neck stamp indicating it was fabricated the 50th week of 1967.
In the later 1960s, '70s and beyond the electric Sitar added its totally distinctive tone to many famous recordings in every genre from country to R&B and for a while was a must in every session guitarist's arsenal. Quite a few hit records still in heavy rotation in "oldies" formats make great use of the unmistakable sound, including some classic vintage soul records with no psychedelic intent at all! This is still a very useful recording instrument which can add a distinctive flavor to a wide range of music beyond its 1960s roots. Although imitated over the last couple of decades the original Vinnie Bell Coral Electric Sitar remains the original off-the-wall classic that has yet to be bettered!
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a lovely original and fine playing example, with only some very minor wear and tear. The original crackle-textured "Bombay Red" finish has some minor chipping, dings and dents, mostly to the edges but no large areas of wear. The lower body horn has had the tip touched up. There is very minor corrosion to some of the metal hardware, but everything appears original and complete except the rear upper plastic handrest panel is a very accurate replacement; these have often been cracked and indeed the original piece is still packed away in the case, neatly split in half. Several of the original knobs show some light discoloration to the side ribs as the plasticizer leeches out of the black plastic, but all are completely solid.
The original frets show virtually no wear and this Coral plays and sounds just as it should, set up for a strong helping of the classic buzzing tone they are famous for. Overall this is a wonderful creation and a fitting memorial to the oft-forgotten genius of Vinnie Bell, who passed away recently. The original case is included in nice shape and contains a catalog page detailing the instrument and -- something we have never seen before -- a partially used and very elaborate original string packet. Overall Excellent - Condition.