Experts strongly advise against buying from massive marketplaces like Amazon or eBay , where instruments are often "tourist-grade" and functionally useless. Instead, stick to specialized North American dealers who inspect and set up every instrument before shipping:
Finding Your First Sitar: An Insider’s Guide to Buying Online
: Known for working directly with makers to ensure quality and value, specifically catering to the US market. 2. Choose Your Style: Ravi Shankar vs. Vilayat Khan
: Highly recommended for hand-picked sitars from top makers, ensuring they survive international transit and arrive ready to play.