Editing Sitar (section)

== Construction styles ==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2022}}
There are two popular modern styles of sitar: the fully decorated "instrumental style" (sometimes called the "Ravi Shankar style") and the "gayaki" style (sometimes called the "[[Vilayat Khan]]" style).

[[File:Sitar mogara.jpg|thumb|left|200px| Close-up of the pen work on a "Ravi Shankar style" sitar]]
The instrumental style sitar is most often made of seasoned [[Toona|toon wood]], but sometimes made of [[Teak]]. It is often fitted with a second resonator, a small tumba (pumpkin or pumpkin-like wood replica) on the neck. This style is usually fully decorated, with floral or grape carvings and [[celluloid]] inlays with colored (often brown or red) and black floral or arabesque patterns. It typically has 13 sympathetic strings. It is said that the best Teak sitars are made from [[teak]] that has been seasoned for generations. The sources of very old [[Wood drying|seasoned wood]] are  guarded trade secrets. Therefore, instrument builders look for old [[Teak]] that was used in old colonial-style [[villa]]s as whole trunk [[column]]s for their special sitar constructions.

[[File:Sitar taraf pegs layout.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Preferences of taraf string and peg positioning and their total number]]
There are various additional sub-styles and cross mixes of styles in sitars, according to customer preferences. Most importantly, there are some differences in preferences for the positioning of sympathetic (''taraf'') string pegs (see photo).

Amongst all sitar styles, there are student styles, beginner models, semi-pro styles, pro-models, master models, and so on. Prices are often determined by the manufacturer's name and not by looks alone or materials used. Some sitars by certain manufacturers fetch very high collectible prices. Most notable are older [[Rikhi Ram]] (Delhi) and older [[Hiren Roy]] (Kolkata) sitars, depending upon which master built the instrument. [[Nikhil Banerjee]] had a small extra bridge fixed at the top of the Sitar fingerboard for sustenance of sound.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.raga.com/interviews/207int1.html | title=Nikhil Banerjee Interview New York November 9, 1985 }}</ref>