Best Santoors of 2025
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Santoors are a type of musical instrument that originated in the Middle East and Central Asia. They are stringed instruments that are played by plucking the strings with a pick or a plectrum. The instrument has a trapezoidal shape and is made of wood, with strings stretched across the surface. The sound produced by the Santoors is rich and melodious, with a unique timbre that is instantly recognizable. These instruments are popular in traditional music and are often used in ensembles or as solo instruments. Santoors are available in a variety of sizes and styles, each with its own unique sound and character.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Santoors
Persian Quality Santoor Dulcimer
This Persian Quality Santoor Dulcimer is made from high-quality walnut wood with brass and bronze strings. The G-Scale 90 tuning produces a beautiful sound. The package comes with a hard case, two hammers, an extra set of strings, and a tuning wrench. With a net weight of 2.90 kg, it is easy to carry around.
Persian Professional Sadeghi Goldar Santoor
This Sadeghi Goldar Santoor has 9 Kharak and is tuned to G-Scale, with a net weight of 2.90 kg. It comes with a hard case, extra strings, two hammers, and a tuning wrench. This instrument is perfect for those looking to play traditional Persian music.
Sadeghi Santoor with Hard Case
The Sadeghi Santoor is a traditional Persian instrument known for its beautiful sound and versatility. This 9 Kharak Santoor, also known as Santur or Hammered Dulcimer, features a G-Scale tuning and measures 90 * 26.5 * 7 cm. With a net weight of 2.90 kg, this Santoor is lightweight and easy to handle. It also comes with a hard case, adding protection and convenience for transportation. Whether you are a professional musician or a beginner, the Sadeghi Santoor offers a rich and resonant sound that will captivate your audience. Its compact size and lightweight design make it perfect for travel and performances. The included hard case ensures that your instrument stays safe during transportation, allowing you to take your music anywhere you go.
Afshari Santoor NAS-202
The Afshari Santoor NAS-202 is a high-quality Persian dulcimer that offers an excellent sound experience. With its G-Scale tuning and dimensions of 90 * 26.5 * 7 cm, this instrument is designed to produce rich melodies. Made from durable walnut wood, it ensures longevity and a beautiful aesthetic. The strings, crafted from brass and steel, provide a vibrant tone that enhances your music. Additionally, it comes with a hard case for protection, extra strings for convenience, two hammers for playing, and a tuning wrench, making it easy for you to maintain and enjoy your instrument.
Persian Santoor SAS-302 | Santur Dulcimer
The Persian Santoor SAS-302 is a high-quality santur dulcimer made by Sadeghi. Its body and bridges are made of walnut, and it has a G-Scale tuning. The strings are a combination of steel and bronze, and it comes with hammers, a tuning key, extra strings, and a hard case. This instrument is perfect for those who enjoy playing traditional Persian music or those looking to try something new.
Santoor MAS-409
The Sala Muzik Santoor MAS-409, made by Hamid Mousavi, is a high-quality Persian santoor that offers exceptional performance and sound. With its SOL (G) tuning, this instrument produces rich and melodious tones that will captivate any listener. The two stamps, one inside, ensure precise tuning and easy adjustment. The MAS-409 comes with a hard case, extra strings, two hammers, and a tuning wrench, providing everything you need to get started right away. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner, the Sala Muzik Santoor MAS-409 offers a convenient and reliable choice for exploring the enchanting world of Persian music.
Ravan Kook Santoor Arezoo Vijeh
The Ravan Kook Santoor is a highly regarded musical instrument favored by master players in Iran. It features easy tuning, allowing you to adjust the strings effortlessly and maintain the desired sound. The Arezoo Vijeh model is crafted from durable walnut wood, ensuring both beauty and longevity. Weighing approximately 5.5 kg, it comes with a bag for convenient transport. This Santoor is not only functional but is also designed with the player’s comfort in mind, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned musicians.
Sala Muzik MAS-6 Santoor
The Sala Muzik Santoor is crafted from high-quality, specially dried wood that has been aged for 50 years, ensuring durability and a rich sound. It features SOL (G) tuning, which makes it easy for you to play a variety of music styles. The instrument comes with a hard case for protection, so you can transport it safely. Additionally, it includes extra strings, two hammers, and a tuning wrench, providing you with everything you need to start playing right away. This thoughtful package enhances your musical experience and allows for easy maintenance.
Hamid Mousavi Santoor MAS-404
The Sala Muzik Santoor is crafted by renowned maker Hamid Mousavi, known for producing exceptional instruments. Made from specially dried wood that has aged for 40 years, this santoor promises a rich and resonant sound. It is tuned to SOL (G), allowing you to create beautiful melodies right away. Additionally, the instrument comes with a hard case for protection, extra strings for convenience, two hammers for playing, and a tuning wrench to keep your instrument in perfect pitch. This thoughtful combination of features ensures you have everything you need to enjoy making music.
Persian Santoor MAS-309
The Sala Muzik Santoor is a beautifully crafted string instrument tuned to SOL (G), making it perfect for creating melodious sounds. Made from high-quality walnut wood, it offers durability and a rich tone that enhances your music. The instrument features bronze and brass strings, providing a bright sound and excellent resonance, which is ideal for both beginners and experienced musicians. With walnut bridges, it ensures stability and precision in tuning, allowing you to focus on your performance. This santoors comes with a hard case, extra strings, two hammers, and a tuning wrench, making it convenient for transporting and maintaining your instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a dulcimer and a santoor?
The dulcimer and santoor are both stringed instruments, but they have distinct differences. The dulcimer is commonly used in traditional folk music and has evolved and adapted to various musical styles and regions. The santoor, on the other hand, is a traditional instrument originating from Iran and India. It is often associated with Persian and North Indian classical music.
2. What is the origin of santoor?
The santoor originated in ancient Mesopotamia around the 4th century CE. It is an integral part of classical and folk music in pre-Islamic Persia and the modern-day Middle East. The first written record of the instrument appeared in Persian history texts and poetry around the 10th century.
3. What are the different types of santoor?
There are various types of santoor found in different regions and countries, including Iraqi santoor, Iranian santoor, Turkish santoor, Indian santoor, Greek santoor, Hungarian santoor, Chinese santoor, Belarus santoor, Swedish santoor, Crimean santoor, Abkhazian santoor, American santoor, Slovakian santoor, Vietnam santoor, German santoor, Yatugan santoor, and more.
4. What is the difference between hammered dulcimer and santoor?
The santoor is typically made of walnut or maple and has a rectangular shape. In contrast, the hammered dulcimer has a different shape and is often played with hammers. The santoor is played by sitting in a specific asana and placing the instrument on the lap, while the dulcimer is played differently. The use of dampers and damping notes also differs between the two instruments.
5. What are the 2 types of dulcimers?
There are two main groupings of dulcimers: the hammered dulcimer and the mountain dulcimer. The hammered dulcimer is played by striking the strings with hammers, while the mountain dulcimer is played by plucking or strumming the strings. Both types of dulcimers have their own unique sound and playing styles.
6. What is the difference between Indian and Persian santoor?
The Indian santoor and Persian santoor have some differences. The Indian santoor is more rectangular in shape and can have more strings compared to the Persian santoor, which typically has 72 strings. However, both instruments are similar in nature and are traditionally used in various musical traditions around the world.
7. Is santoor hard to play?
The santoor is considered relatively easy to learn compared to other string instruments. It is suitable for people of all ages, including senior citizens. Enrolling in a class or watching online tutorials can make the learning process simpler and more enjoyable.
8. What is the easiest dulcimer to play?
The Appalachian dulcimer is often regarded as one of the easiest stringed instruments to learn. Despite its complicated-looking design, it is not limited to masters-only. In fact, it is considered easier to learn than the guitar in some cases. This makes it a great option for beginners or those looking for an accessible instrument to play.
During our santoor research, we found 24 santoor products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,613 customer reviews through our big data system to write the santoors list. We found that most customers choose santoors with an average price of $720.12.
The santoors are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of santoors, including Ekberi, Sadeghi, Afshari, Sala Muzik. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 33 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.