Sitar?

[ObviousParadox]

that's a sitar at the bigginning right?

[ObviousParadox]

and if I could spell that would read beginning

[LeoDV]

There's an edit button next to each of your posts and yes I think it is.

[ObviousParadox]

hahahaha! oops, i keep trying to edit other people's posts...sorry...

[3rd.eye.cov]

i concur. sitar. tool seems to be very fond of middle eastern / indian musical ideas. that you gotta love.

[IC]

nah man, i think its him playin with a pick at the very bottom of the guitar, where the bridge cuts off with alot of compression and a touch of flange. csue its got the d' powerchord notes of it. im not sure what notes the strings of a sitar are, but im pretty sure ots not like a tipical guita

[salival_sty]

nah man, i think its him playin with a pick at the very bottom of the guitar, where the bridge cuts off with alot of compression and a touch of flange. csue its got the d' powerchord notes of it. im not sure what notes the strings of a sitar are, but im pretty sure ots not like a tipical guita

For the record, the tuning of a sitar (usually) is as follows:
1=F below middle C
2=C one octave below middle C
3=G in second octave below middle C
4=C two octaves below middle C
5=G below middle C
6=middle C
7=high C

So the tuning for a sitar is much different than that of a guitar. On that alone, I'm tempted to agree with InnerCombustion here (bridge cutting off with compression, etc.), but more importantly, the sitar has usually twelve sympathetic strings that resonate much longer than you hear in the first part of 4degrees; that seems the more convincing argument against this part being played on sitar . . . Were it actually performed on sitar, it would likely sound fuller and resonate longer.

p.s., If anyone's interested in such, I'd be happy to give more information on sitar, tuning, etc. I'm just too tired right now.

[Mega Phunkatron]

It could also just be an effect added in ProTools or something like that. It sounds almost too dead to just be played right by the bridge.

[paraflux]

Its an accoustic, put through filters and heavily compressed. Thats my bet.

[Undertolerance]

I know for a fact that is it just the guitar being played to sound as such, for one I used to make my bass sound like a sitar by tuning it drop D and then pulling the E string over the bottom frets and then having at. Also the guitarist in my old band used to like to use that effect on his amp, it was quite neat indeed.

[Et in Arcadia Ego]

Nevertheless, it's a very interesting sound that's being produced...

I like how it seems to fit in with an idea of "opening up" to new thoughts and concepts...

[Isac Khrondor]

It's not a sitar, but I can see why you may have thought it was.

Sounds a lot like an acoustic but with lot's of effects to make it sound twangier etc etc.

When he does it live it sound like shite.

[LEARN.2.SWiM]

i use a sitar effect and a phaser effect on a clean channel with reverb and chorus, it immitates it pretty well

[LeMarchand]

Could be prepared guitar - where you stick metal objects between the strings or around the strings, so they vibrate along.

[PsychoKiller]

i have a sitar,its a beautiful instrument although im not very good at it,but im learning.i always thought TOOL should use a sitar in 1 or 2 songs,it would be nice.

if anyone enjoys hearing sitar i would like to recommend Gabby La La,she may not be for all tastes but i think shes interesting...

[Prison Sex]

There are also cymbals heard background which can add the the effect.

Ravi Shankar is a pretty impressive Sitar player.

[Wave.Existance.Tears]

Orphaned Land uses a sitar. A lot.

[hanger25934]

Could be prepared guitar - where you stick metal objects between the strings or around the strings, so they vibrate along.
i seriously doubt that to be the case. adam simply used effects through his sliverburst or one of his acoustics. when played live he lays off the distortion.

[LeMarchand]

Well if its not the case it should be the case. Fuckers!

[SpiralOutKeepGoing]

There are also cymbals heard background which can add the the effect.

Ravi Shankar is a pretty impressive Sitar player.

I saw him live a few years ago. Pretty neat stuff.

[Dedicated_TOOLfan]

I honestly don't think it is sitar but I will confirm weather it is or isn't....soon very soon...

[jack_without_sally]

yeh he doesnt play a sitar he has an effect on the guitar and he plays a wierd chord on the high strings

[Loveboat Captain]

12 string?

[Bhikkhu]

Nice songs with Sitars:

Sitara - The Phantom Four
Less Than Zero (<0) - Type o Negative
Can't Lose You - Type o Negative