This 58 inch long male tanpura is made by A.B. Satarmaker, master craftsman of Miraj India. The city of Miraj is known to produce the finest tanpura in the world. The typical north Indian tanpura, favored by Hindustani musicians, is known as the Miraj style. The ABS tanpuras have been hand crafted in Miraj for over 100 years by four generations of the Balasaheb family. The art of tanpura and sitar making has been honed and improved from father to son. The Balasaheb family has perfected innovations to improve the look and sound of the instrument. They skillfully cut the pumpkin gourd to create the correct shape, and join the gourd and body pieces with precision. They understand how the thickness of the wood body and neck will affect the tone of the instrument and take great care to craft the structures of even thickness. The progenitor of the Balasaheb family originally made his tanpura from teak. Today, this wood is becoming scarce and is too costly to use. ABS tanpuras are crafted from seasoned toon wood. The ABS tanpuras are characterized by accurate woodwork, precise joining, artful decorations, and attention to the finishing and Jawari (tuning) work. The result is a light weight instrument of high sound quality that will last for years to come. The current proprietor, A. B. Satarmaker, is as proud of his tanpura as he is proud of his family. The AMB/Miraj maker's mark is inlayed on the soundboard above the bridge. The tanpura is an Indian drone instrument known for its rich sound. It resembles the sitar in size and shape, but has no frets and no sympathetic strings. Most Tanpura have four strings tuned to the tonic, a few have 5 or 6 strings. The name of the instrument has a number of variations, including: tanpura, tanpoora, tambura, thamboora, thambura, and tamboora. Male tanpuras are larger than the female. The decorative inlays may vary, but all are artfully carved. Includes wooden case. Requires special truck delivery.