The Long Neck Walnut Baglama Saz ASL-202 is the traditional, full-range saz — 23 frets covering the complete spectrum of Turkish folk and aşık music, with a solid walnut bowl and spruce top, plus a factory AMP jack so you can plug in without aftermarket pickup work.
Long-neck baglama is the original. For over 1,500 years (through the kopuz lineage) the long-neck format carried Turkish, Central Asian, and Anatolian aşık traditions. The full 23-fret range matters in this music: the makam transitions, the koma intervals in upper positions, the modal exploration that defines authentic Turkish folk and traditional aşık repertoire all need those upper frets. Conservatory training in Turkish classical and folk music defaults to long-neck. If you're studying the tradition seriously, this is the format.
| Bowl wood | Solid walnut |
|---|---|
| Soundboard | Solid spruce |
| Neck length | Long |
| Frets | 23 |
| Electronics | Factory AMP jack (for connecting to amplifier) |
| Includes | Soft case, plectrum, replacement strings |
| Country of origin | Istanbul, Türkiye |
| Model | Price | Neck | Bowl wood | Pickup/Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASK-111P | $249.99 | Short neck | Mahogany | — |
| CSS-123 | $249.99 | Short neck | Mahogany/Maple | — |
| ASK-150 | $269 | Short neck | Walnut | — |
| ASL-202 | $249 | Long neck | Walnut | AMP jack |
| ASEL-104 | $399 | Long neck | Wenge | Electric pickup |
| W2 | $499 | Long neck | Maple | Electric + Leslie effect |
| RT1 | $699 | Long neck | — | Electric + built-in rhythms |
The AMP jack is a passive jack — it accepts a guitar cable but requires an external preamp pedal or active mixer channel for full signal. It's lower quality than the active pickup systems in the ASEL-104 or W2, but more flexible for occasional plug-in needs. For dedicated stage work, the dedicated electric models are noticeably better.
Moderately. The fretting system has microtonal koma intervals, and right-hand picking (mızrab/tezene) takes practice. Plan 6-12 months of daily practice to play folk songs comfortably.
Yes if your model has an AMP jack or built-in pickup. For acoustic-only sazs, a soundhole pickup can be installed by any luthier — but for stage use, a factory electric model gives cleaner signal.
Casual practice: 4-6 months. Daily practice or performance: 6-12 weeks. The lower bass strings last longer than the high pairs.
Yes, worldwide. Sazs ship in custom foam-cushioned boxes. You choose carrier at checkout — DHL Express, FedEx, or standard postal. EU/US express orders typically 5-9 business days.
When Will I receive my order?
The delivery time by free shipping is 3-5 weeks to worldwide.
The delivery time by DHL shipping is 2-4 days to worldwide.
Does Sala Muzik Ship Internationally?
We currently ship anywhere in the World.
I have many instruments. Including five unplayable bagpipes (reed issues) and four button accordions. I have two fiddles, one a hardanger fiddle, for which I paid a pretty penny.I like them all, but I LOVE my saz. It arrived intact because of the genius packaging. Turkish craftsmanship is top flight. No detail is left undone. It's as if they really care. I think they do.In America, anything less than 300 bucks is plywood. But my Turkish saz has a walnut soundbowl, spruce top and mahogany neck. The satin finish isn't as slippery as a high sheen, which is helpful to the newby who is trying to play it. The saz is a bitch to hold. The inlayed interval markings should've been put on the left side of the neck, where the player could see them. Nevermind. I've put masking tape markers to facilitate playing positions.I'm astounded by the sound of this instrument. The soundboard is unbroken by a soundhole, but one is provided which exits at the ass end of the instrument. A second soundhole faces the player; swivel the gate to enhance the bass. A piezo pickup is glued underneath the bridge. I plugged in an amp and shredded Pulp Fiction.The string length is long and easy on the fingertips. The tuning is AGD. It seems counterintuitive until you do Greek, Italian and Turkish songs.The 90° positioning of the tuning pegs is so you can lay the neck on a flat surface and press down while tuning. These are friction tuners. (Imagine the hell of tuning this instrument if the pegs were opposed, as with a violin)A curiousity is the cursive scrollwork on the soundhole. Is the first letter a "d" or an "o"? An "o" makes more sense, since blending the vowels of OEST would make "West". So I am your target audience.This may be an "entry" level instrument, but for a guy my age I won't need any other.
Medium quality
My instrument arrived very quickly and nicely packaged. It sounds even better than I thought!
Firstly, this Saz is beautiful....love the matte finish. Secondly....wow!!!....we ordered it on May 20th....and it was at our door on May 23rd....from Istanbul!! Order from Sala Music with confidence.
The company replaced this long neck baglama for me with a short neck baglama. It was my mistake that I ordered the wrong instrument, but they kindly allowed me to return it. The new short-neck baglama is just exactly what I wanted. It is a very good quality instrument for the money (as was the long-neck version). And I enjoyed doing business with Sala Muzik as they went out of their way to make sure I got what I wanted and in a timely fashion. I appreciate them very much.