Homepage >> Forum Archives >> Archives >> Sitar Forum >> This Page

INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Sitar Forum: protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat

 

Author Message
pb
protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 26, 2004 03:40 p.m.

Hi,
since I play with the tomba on the sole of my left foot, I have noticed that there is a dull patch on the finish and in time it might wear off all the finish in that area. I've asked around a bit and generally most people don't worry about it much. I was thinking about either fixing it when I need to or just glue on a small patch of thin rubber on the "foot spot" of the tomba to prevent the problem. Has anyone else done this? Or do people not really worry about it?

thanks,
Pb
lurker
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 12:59 a.m.

This is just a guess, but you might try a piece of chamois between your foot and the tumba. I think this will protect the finish, and give you the added benefit of the sitar less likely to slide off your foot, if that's ever a problem.

When I play the dulcimer, I keep a piece on my lap; though this is far from the situation you describe, I can say I've never seen any marring on the dulcimer from the chamois.
pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 09:36 a.m.

Hey lurker,
the chamois might work, as long as the gourd doesn't slip off it. I'll look into it.

thanks,
Pb
K.K.
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 01:13 p.m.

Hey Pb:
Tony K. turned me on to this. He was searching for a material for Raviji to use on his sitar, at the place where you rest your forearm. Ravi's towel was/is always slipping off the sitar.
He found a product used for lining shelves. I forgot what it's called but you can find it in any grocery store. It's very soft and kind of rubbery, mainly used for lining shelves where you store dishes. It looks like a tightly woven net, and comes in several colors.
Originally, I used it in the same application Tony intended it for (actually Ravi didn't like the feel of it) but I sewed it to a really fancy hand towel so that the shelf-liner is on the sitar side and the towel is on my arm's side. This makes for a nice sweat-absorbent, non-slip system.
What I do for my foot is (with a sock on) take a piece of the shelf-liner and wrap it around my foot. The sitar sticks like glue.
pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 01:20 p.m.

Hey K.K.,
cool. I'll look for some shelf liner. I had the slipping towel issue as well, so I just stopped using the towel :-)

thanks KK.
Pb

K.K. (Apr 27, 2004 01:13 p.m.):
Hey Pb:
Tony K. turned me on to this. He was searching for a material for Raviji to use on his sitar, at the place where you rest your forearm. Ravi's towel was/is always slipping off the sitar.
He found a product used for lining shelves. I forgot what it's called but you can find it in any grocery store. It's very soft and kind of rubbery, mainly used for lining shelves where you store dishes. It looks like a tightly woven net, and comes in several colors.
Originally, I used it in the same application Tony intended it for (actually Ravi didn't like the feel of it) but I sewed it to a really fancy hand towel so that the shelf-liner is on the sitar side and the towel is on my arm's side. This makes for a nice sweat-absorbent, non-slip system.
What I do for my foot is (with a sock on) take a piece of the shelf-liner and wrap it around my foot. The sitar sticks like glue.
Remco
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 05:13 p.m.

My teacher gave a piece of a weird rubbery fabric. You can buy it on a roll. It looks like very loosely woven cloth and has holes between the strands. I put it between my foot and the sitar to protect my sitar and prevent it from slipping. Right now I'm also using it on my surbahar on the top. A surbahar hasn't the right balance and slips under my right arm. With this piece of rubber the instrument doesn't slip.

Peace,

Remco
Matt
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 06:35 p.m.

[quote]Remco (Apr 27, 2004 05:13 p.m.):
My teacher gave a piece of a weird rubbery fabric. You can buy it on a roll. It looks like very loosely woven cloth and has holes between the strands.

That sounds like the stuff that you can buy to put under rugs to keep them from slipping on wood floors. My teacher also suggested it when I first started because I was having problems keeping it balanced on my foot. I never did try it, but it sounds like it works. Plus, it's cheap (I have it under the rugs in my house).
estiven
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 05:52 p.m.

Hi all,
why does one need to use a towel or cloth under the arm and over the gourd? Ive seen several people do it, but i dont see how they can keep the sitar balanced with that. .
thanks
K.K.
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 07:06 p.m.

Remco:
I'm sure your "weird rubbery fabric" is the same stuff I'm describing. Works great, doesn't it?

Estiven:
Some players, because of the fact that their sweat has a rather nasty effect on the sitar's shellac finish, choose to protect it by using a towel or cloth to absorb the perspiration.
You're right in assuming that the cloth makes it more difficult to balance the sitar because it slips around.
This shelf-liner material has the opposite effect though; it really grips the surface of the sitar, making it easier to balance.
BTW, I've been using it for a couple of years now and it hasn't caused any damage to the shellac.
lurker
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 07:53 p.m.

I guess I should have mentioned that the reason I use the chamois with my dulcimer was exactly because it helped keep the instrument from sliding around while playing, so I imagine it would work similarly with the sitar.

I'm familiar with the rubbery shelf-liner, and actually use it in my workshop when handbinding books. Its kind of a miracle product I guess. I never thought of its use with sitar (nor dulcimer) but I can see that it would likely work well. One thing though, the chamois might be a bit more elegant.
Jeff
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 27, 2004 08:09 p.m.

Wear a sock.
pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 12:00 p.m.

Socks slip too much. Maybe a rubber sock :-)

Jeff (Apr 27, 2004 08:09 p.m.):
Wear a sock.
AJ
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 12:41 p.m.

This "rubber woven" product is made by Rubbermaid. . . . . . .it's purpose is for lining shelfs/ drawers (in the kitchen)

It's great stuff and can easily be washed, as well

Interesting idea for it's use. . . . . . .I've been wondering abou this myself. . . . . .altho I think chamois cloth is WAY cooler looking! :-)

See ya round like a lazy susan!
AJ
K.K.
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 03:07 p.m.

AJ (Apr 28, 2004 12:41 p.m.):
This "rubber woven" product is made by Rubbermaid. . . . .altho I think chamois cloth is WAY cooler looking! :-)

AJ:
I agree that the chamois would be cooler looking than the shelf-liner material by itself.
What I'm suggesting is to sew the rubbery stuff to another piece of fabric. For instance, I've seen some Indian pillow cases that would look awesome used in this context.
I used a hand towel ($3 at TJ Max) that has an Indian motif in gold with a raised design in red velvet-like embroidery. When it's draped over the sitar, the rubbery stuff is totally hidden. And it's totally washable!

"Coming up next. .Martha Stewart shows how to protect your sitar's finish by using readily available household products. ."
Remco
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 03:38 p.m.

errr. . i'm waiting for remarks like"playing it safe, wear a rubber". . .

Peace,

Remco
Jeff
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 05:00 p.m.

Maybe you could try that guitar pic stuff called "Gorilla Snot" Its some sort of glue that washes off easily and leaves no residue. Its for ying yangs that cant keep a grip on their guitar pics. I've never used it so I dont know if it works or not.
Jeff
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 05:04 p.m.

pb (Apr 28, 2004 12:00 p.m.):
socks slip too much. Maybe a rubber sock :-)

Jeff (Apr 27, 2004 08:09 p.m.):
Wear a sock.

Then wear a dirty sock, but test it first. Throw it against a wall, if it sticks,, you should be good to go. I've never tried this "test" with socks but it sure works on underwear!
pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 28, 2004 09:23 p.m.

Hey Remco,
I was thinking the same thing when I wrote the rubber sock ! I was going to say latex sock but thought better :-)

Jeff,
I thought some guys just glued the pick to their fingers, I guess there is a specific glue. No need to glue the mizrab, pain holds it on nice and tightly!

Pb
AJ
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 01:23 a.m.

Forget about that "Gorilla Snot" stuff. . . . . .I tried some when I was recovering from an injury (altho I still drop 'em from time to time, really messed up my R forearm/wrist packing pears one year), it's REALLY sticky, I would NEVER want to have that stuff get ANYWHERE'S near my sitar, whatsoever. . . .no way, no how. . . . .I'd be scared it'd mess up the finish, much less not be able to wipe or get it offa there. . . . . .really thick junk. . . . . .I tried it once and said, "man this is about lame". . . . . . . . .!
It can also be helpful to limit one's brewski intake in this situation, as well : )
(depending on the circumstances, of course)
But then drummers have always been known to keep an extra set of sticks handy too, so there ya go. . . . . . . . .!

They make socks to wear like slippers around the house that have little designs on the bottoms with some kind of rubbery stuff so you won't slip and bust yer bum. . . . .I have a weird red pair with Wile E Coyote on 'em. . .really comfy, I bet they'd work great
Gotta find myself another pair, bright red is a bit much. . . . .but Wile E. Coyote is pretty cool

And that's an awesome idea about sewing something cool onto the front of that Rubbermaid shelf/drawer liner stuff. . . . . .!!!
Just have to make sure it would be something one's forearm wouldn't slip off of. . . . . .(like silk or satin or similar material. . . . .maybe some really cool tapestry-needle point stuff, seein's we're all taking up Martha's job since she'll be real busy in the hoosgow fer a bit!)

This whole conversation is so nuts it reminded me of the guy who wore condoms on his fingers in the shower, so his callus' wouldn't get wet. . . . . . .

Wonder what weird wonders of the world I'll see/hear about next? Condoms on the fingers, yep, that's one fer the books, alrighty!

See youse all round like a souffle'!
AJ : )

ps it's things like this that keep this forum interesting! : )
tarsi
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 07:17 a.m.

What's the problem with the sitar slipping? If it slips, let it go and have a spare sitar ready.
pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 09:15 a.m.

Hey AJ,
LOL. Yep, Wile E is cool. Maybe I need the wile e socks and some gorilla snot :-)

AJ (Apr 29, 2004 01:23 a.m.):
. .I have a weird red pair with Wile E Coyote on 'em. . .really comfy, I bet they'd work great
Gotta find myself another pair, bright red is a bit much. . . . .but Wile E. Coyote is pretty cool

pb
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 09:17 a.m.

Hi,
I bought some of that magic shelf liner last night. I wore socks (not the wile e coyote ones, those are for going out) and put a sheet of it over the sock and it was nice and steady! NO more walking around the house with one sock on :-)

thanks for the tip!

Pb
AJ
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 10:19 a.m.

Yep, just realized my Wile E. Coyote socks have a big hole in the left heel, so I guess I'll have to pony up and get another pair somewhere. . . . . . .these socks are GREAT tho!
I'd never wear shoes, if my feet would stay warm. . . . . .yet I have a bazillion pair of 'em, go figure. . . . . . .sheeeeez (thinking of Jeff's wife here now)

Here's what I found just quickly Froogling to try to find an example of what I mean:

http://www.amerimark.com/cgi-bin/am1live/cat_item.html?prod=25343&media=G00260&days=XVQ

These no-slip socks are really a great invention!
I'd like to have at least half a dozen of 'em!

Glad that Rubbermaid Shelf-Drawer liner is working out so great for ya PB! I'll have to remember that. . . . . .was just talking about this exact same stuff with my new landlady last week. . . . . . .!(only for kitchen shelfs/drawers)

Yeah, that Gorilla Snot stuff is nasty. . . . .it's green too, very thick, like a paste, and incredibly sticky. . . . . .not sure what's in it but I wouldn't get it anywhere's near MY sitar. . . .!
If it's really all that bad a problem losing picks, a guy could duct tape yer pick to yer finger : ) (or maybe go see a neurologist!)

Seems like many pics I've seen of Ravi, he's always wearing a spare mizrab like a ring. . . . .
maybe this is just a common thing with instruments that use picking/plucking devices?

Anyways, good topic!
Does it smudge the finish/french polish at all? (the shelf liner?)
Which reminds me, I really need to get some Kit's Carnuba Wax. . . . . . .!

What kinda cloth/material do most of you guys use when touching up the polish?
Would flannel be a good choice?

See youse round like a roll of shelf liner!
AJ : )
Keshav Das
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 10:56 a.m.

Gorilla Snot??? that's the stuff I used to use
to secure bolts on motorcyle engines. No
way you want that near your instrument. Yeow!
Peace,
K
Jeff
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 11:02 a.m.

Hey there AJ-gee I have a pair of those rubber treaded booties too! Mine are a freakish yellow. That really brings back horrible memories of me walking around the hospital in some sort of full open back paper thin moo-moo night gown with my ass
sticking out. I'm sure the nurses are still blind and vomiting from that image. The tooth brush I got at the hospital lasted exactly one brushing, I asked for another and they said it was $10 or some crazy price like that. So my wife made a extra 60 mile trip to bring me a good one.
AJ
Re:protecting the main gourd from the foot sweat Apr 29, 2004 08:29 p.m.

Gawd Jeff, that sounds absolutely HORRIBLE!
(makes me think of Armeggedan or Space Cowboys! no tubing poking out I hope!)

I found these in the bronco my brother lent me, I'm sure they originally belonged to one of his kids. . . . . . . .(who are not with him)

My Mom had a pair of really neat blue ones when she went to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle but I don't know what the heck happened to them. . . . . .

But these sock/slippers really ARE great!

Man what a vivid image yer post gave me! hahaha
I hope I don't have to go ANYWHERE'S near a hospital for a good long time now! : )

Dog-p*ss yellow, eh?
That's almost as bad as "look-at-me-I'm-bright-red-crazy-aroooooo-wile-e-coyote"! heehee

Ya all have a great weekend. . . . .!!! I'm having to move EVERYTHING in one single day a good couple hundred miles. . . . .was supposed to do this LAST weekend but it apparently did not pan out. . . . . . .my 20 year old son seems real "cazh" ie "casual" about it, like "don't sweat it Mom, piece of cake". . . . . .yeah well he's almost 21 and healthy, I'm 44 and have a broken ass. . . . . . .BIG difference!
Supposed to pick up the U-Haul tomarrow. . .of course, right on the very last day. . .why wouldn't he?!?! yeah, no problemo!
(Thank God for sedatives! : ) !!!)

See youse round like a hospital bed pan!
(for you, Jeffji!)

AJ : )
[Previous] [Up] [Next]

SPONSORED LINKS