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SAZ -
The Saz is perhaps the preeminent Central Asian string instrument. Considered
to be the direct ancestor of the Greek bouzouki, the saz has two courses
of two strings and one course of three strings. Their rounded bodies are
either carved from solid wood (called "oyma"in Turkish) or constructed
of multiple tapered staves ("yaprak"). The saz is incredibly
resonant with a ringing sound unlike any other string instrument. With
spruce sound boards and necks and bodies of assorted hardwoods these instruments
are hand-made by Hassan Saricaya and company in Turkey. The company motto
is "First the quality, then the price". If they could not produce
fine instruments at a reasonable price they would do something else in
life. Many craftsmen make a pretty saz. Saricaya saz are exceptionally
beautiful with a sound to match. To play one, or hear one played,
is to understand what a difference that makes.
On a recent trip to Istanbul, Turkiye (the way the Turks
spell it) we were fortunate enough to have as traveling companions Ted
and Carla Monnich of Turku.
If you have not heard their Central Asian-oriented folk music, well -
you just need to. You can preview a few tunes from Alleys of Istanbul
and Nomads of the Silk Road on our music
page. Fortunately for all of us Ted, being a string musician and having
played Saz for many years, was able to play all of the instruments available
and choose what he considered the finest of each type and price range.
This has resulted in Touch The Earth's ability to offer the best selection
of instruments, as regards quality, variety and price, in our history.
In addition, all of our Saz come with a soft case, set of plectrums and
extra strings at no additional cost.
OYMA (SOLID BODY) SAZ
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Oyma Gurgen Wood Saz - Gurgen body, Spruce soundboard
and Maple neck. Price - $195.00 |
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Oyma Kestane Saz - Chestnut wood body, spruce soundboard, maple neck. Price: $325.00 |
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YAPRAK (STAVE BODY) SAZ
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Yaprak Maun -- Mahogany staves, spruce soundboard, maple neck. Price: $475.00 |
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Yaprak Maple with inlaid neck - Maple body, spruce soundboard, maple neck with beautiful geometric hardwood inlay on neck and upper body. Price: $425.00 |
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Yaprak Maun - Mahogany stave body, spruce soundboard, maple fingerboard, mahogany neck. Price: $475.00 |
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Yaprak Maun Saz by Turan - This custom-made saz embodies the ultimate in the saz maker's art. Crafted of the finest woods including; Mahogany for the body,Spruce for the soundboard, and Maple for the neck, they don't often get any better than this one. A bit large for a Baglama, this one comes with a custom soft case and extra strings and plectrums. It also has a custom pick-up installed in the workshop by the maker! You would find it difficult to purchase a finer saz in this country. Price: $875.00 |
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