Best Santoors of 2026
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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
MEZRAB Persian Santoor
Experience high-quality MEZRAB Persian Santoor, a brand of Saberi, shipped from the USA with fast delivery via USPS. This Santoors instrument is perfect for those who want to learn or play traditional Persian music.
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.
Vahdati Santoor String 040 Red
The Vahdati Red Santoor String is designed specifically for Persian Santoor instruments, providing you with a high-quality string that enhances your playing experience. Its red color not only adds a unique look but also helps in easy identification among other strings. Measuring 40 meters (approximately 43 yards) in length, this string offers ample material, so you won’t need to replace it frequently. The 0.40 mm gauge ensures a balanced tone and comfortable playability, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced Santoor players looking for reliable performance.
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.
Vahdati Silver 040 Santoor String
The Vahdati Silver String 040 is designed specifically for the Persian santuor, providing musicians with a high-quality string option. Made from silver, it offers a bright and clear tone that enhances your instrument’s sound. The string measures 40 meters (about 43 yards), giving you plenty of length for multiple uses or replacements. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this string is crafted to fit your santuor perfectly, ensuring easy installation and a reliable playing experience every time.
Ellora Santoor Concert String Set
The Ellora Santoor Strings provide a complete set designed specifically for concert Santoors. This set ensures you have all the strings you need to keep your instrument in perfect playing condition, making it easy to replace worn or broken strings. Tailored for concert Santoors, these strings help you maintain the rich and authentic sound expected in performances. With the trusted Ellora brand, you get quality strings that support your musical expression and reliability during practice or concerts. Choosing Ellora Santoor Strings means you’re equipped with everything required for a great playing experience.
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.
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.
Vahdati Santoor 040 String Wire
The Vahdati Santoor String is designed specifically for Persian santuor instruments. Each string measures about 40 meters (approximately 43 yards), giving you plenty of length for precise tuning and string replacement. The 040 gauge wire ensures a balanced sound, ideal for achieving clear, resonant notes. With this string, you can easily maintain or upgrade your santuor, enhancing your playing experience with reliable, high-quality materials. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this string offers durability and consistent performance to support your musical needs.
Sala Muzik Sadeghi SSM-302 Walnut Mezrab
The Sala Muzik Walnut Mezrab is designed for playing the santoor with ease and precision. Crafted by Sadeghi, this hammer is made from sturdy walnut wood, offering durability and a comfortable grip for better control during your performance. It comes with felt already installed, which helps produce a softer, more refined sound that enhances your music. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this mezrab provides the quality and convenience needed to improve your playing experience.
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 2,867 customer reviews through our big data system to write the santoors list. We found that most customers choose santoors with an average price of $130.85.
The santoors are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of santoors, including Vahdati, Sala Muzik, Ellora, Yctze. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 18 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
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.