Detailed Guide for choosing a SAZ BAGLAMA, what age to should you start learning, how to choose a Saz Baglama, and the difference between the various Saz sizes :

 

Cheap or expensive instrument and prices?

For those who are starting to play the Saz, you can also find simple instruments that are good for beginners , these are not professional instruments and their price will usually be quite cheap , but for those who want to check if the SAZ is suitable for them and therefore need an instrument to practice at the beginning (and don’t want to spend a lot of money in the beginning), then this could be a good solution , you should of course check the instrument according to the guide detailed here below and see that it really is at a sufficient level for playing. It is always possible if you progress to buy a higher quality and more expensive tool later on and then keep the initial saz as a saz that you can take with you when you are traveling around or for playing and learning different tunings that you learn later as you progress on.

The prices will usually be between 150$ (or even less) to 1500$ and generally as long as there is a Saz builder you know and trust or someone who really knows how to play and could check for you the saz then the prices will be according to the quality of the instrument, the quality of the builder and construction, the type and aging of the wood, etc.

Of course it could happen that cheap sazs – come out great , or could also happen the opposite that expensive sazs are not that great and are not worth the price, but usually as long as there is an understanding of what you should check on the instrument before you buy it and Who builds it so it will be according to the price.

 

How and what to check before buying:

The most important thing is the sound – that you connect with the sound of the instrument, the look – that you like how the instrument looks, the Way you feel when you play – it that it’s easy – that the tuning is easy and smooth, action – the height of the strings – the difference ,the gap between the string to the neck of the instrument is not too high and does not make it difficult to press on the strings when you’re playing (if it is too high, then it is difficult to play and press), buzzes – Play all the strings and positions on the instrument and make sure there are no buzzes.

 

Decorations?

The beauty of the saz comes from its simplicity, those who like decorations on the wood itself (shells, decorations, etc.) and want to order them so of course it’s possible to order decorations on the instrument for an additional fee, but this will not change the sound and of course the most important thing is the sound.

 

Carved or strips and which wood?

There are Saz made of solid wood, the entire body is carved, and there are Saz that are built from rounded and bent wooden stripes that are glued next to each other.

Both are good, in terms of which wood there are types of wood that are more suitable for the instrument, for the sound, that last for many years and get better with the passing years, carved sazes are usually (with good builders) aged before construction for at least 8 years and only then are they carved. One of the most famous and popular wood is the Dut (mulberry) tree, chestnut, juniper, mahogany, walnut and more trees are also used. Regarding the instrument, everything depends on the person who builds the instrument and the sound and quality of playing it, personally the best and oldest instruments I have seen and played in my life were made of solid wood, but again both shapes are amazing as long as the Builder is amazing.

 

Saz Baglama (high quality) is like a good wine, that as time goes by the quality of the sound improves.

There are also cases where an instrument is broken but after it is repaired it suddenly sounds even better.

 

Online or Turkey?

The advantage in Turkey (as opposed to ordering online) is that you can play the instrument and it is always recommended, see how it looks with your eyes, hear it, feel how it is played, and of course notice that there are no buzzes when you play and that the action – the height of the strings in the place between the connection of the neck and the body of the saz – is not too high

Regarding ordering online from Turkey, for a higher quality and more expensive Saz it is possible, preferably from someone who has good and reliable recommendations, and who can send photos and videos of the Saz beforehand.

It is highly recommended that the shipment for an expensive and high-quality Saz will be with a company such as UPS or companies of the same responsibility for shipments that can keep the Saz safe of course only for very expensive instruments the other ones could be shipped regularly, for a normal Saz you can send by regular mail, it usually arrives in good condition.

 

Input jack for amplifier , and acoustic Saz or electric Saz?

Regarding amplification, most Saz’s today come with a simple amplification, it is worthwhile and desirable for those who need and want amplification to request in advance if they order a new saz a higher quality amplification, such as Artek 

(there are also other good companies) because most of the time the difference in price will not be critical and it is already worth investing in a good one.

Regarding electric Saz, it is advisable first of all to start with the original and acoustic version because the basis of learning is similar, and thus you can connect to the original, the acoustic sound and the traditional learning methods and after that continue with the electric. in my opinion this will make the electric player be much better and professional afterwards, and understand the instrument better if he first learned and got to know the original, acoustic melody and sound, and only later switched to the electric saz baglama version.

 

At what age should you start learning saz:

It is possible (and even desirable) to start learning from the age of 5, if there is a teacher who knows and understands how to teach children, and of course also to start learning at the age of 80 is excellent and desirable, playing and learning music in general is a gift that a person gives to himself, dealing with sounds, melodies, feelings and techniques .

 

Tuning for Saz baglama and different sizes and types?

Regarding the different tunings and the types of saz: Cura Jura (the small saz), long neck saz, short neck saz, balta, divan saz, electric saz, Arab bouzoek, etc., there are detailed explanations on all of these in the questions and answers on my website