The santoor (also written santur or santour) is the Persian hammered dulcimer β a trapezoid soundbox strung with dozens of steel and brass strings, struck with two featherweight wooden hammers called mezrabs. Its shimmering, cascading tone sits at the heart of Persian classical music, and its relatives stretch from the Indian santoor to the Greek santouri and the Chinese yangqin. Sala Muzik carries handmade Persian santoors from the Sadeghi, Hamid Mousavi, Salari and Davoud Shirazi workshops β from first instruments that ship with a hard case to concert-grade 12 and 14 kharak models.
Quick Recommendation β Beginners: Santoor With Hard Case NAS-202 ($349, case included). Stepping up: High Quality Santoor MAS-309 ($499). Professional: Professional 12 Kharak Santoor by Sadeghi ($699). Concert grade: Professional 14 Kharak Santoor MAS-414 ($1699).
Quick picks by player type
Flagship
Special Santoor With Mandals Latches KMS-404$2999 Β· mandal levers for fast retuning between dastgahs
The santoor and its Persian family
The santoor rarely plays alone. In a classical Persian ensemble it sits beside the tar, setar, kamancheh and the tombak β and every one of them has its own corner of our store.
Santoor Accessoriescases, stands, mezrabs & strings
Setarthe intimate four-string lute
Tarthe double-bowl Persian lute
Kamanchehthe Persian spike fiddle
Tombakthe Persian goblet drum
All Persian Instrumentsbrowse the full range
9 kharak vs 12 kharak β which one to start with?
A kharak is one of the small wooden bridges that carry the strings; the count per side defines the instrument's range. The 9 kharak is the classical standard that virtually every method book and teacher assumes. The 12 kharak adds lower bridges for a deeper register and more room to modulate.
| Feature | 9 kharak | 12 kharak |
|---|---|---|
| Bridges per side | 9 Β· the classical standard | 12 Β· extended layout |
| Range | About three octaves | Wider, with a deeper bass register |
| Size & weight | More compact and lighter | Larger soundbox, noticeably heavier |
| Repertoire | The traditional radif and most teaching methods | Contemporary and orchestral work, modulation-heavy playing |
| Tuning workload | Fewer strings to keep in tune | More strings, longer tuning sessions |
| Best for | Beginners and classical repertoire | Experienced players who want range |
Full comparison: Differences Between 9 Kharak and 12 Kharak Santoor. If even 12 is not enough, the 14 kharak MAS-414 is the widest-range santoor we stock.
What makes a quality santoor
Two santoors can look nearly identical and sound worlds apart. The differences hide in the wood, the pins and the bridges:
- Seasoned hardwood β walnut is the classic choice for the frame and soundboard; properly aged wood keeps the instrument stable and the tone warm.
- Tuning pins that hold β cheap pins slip, and on an instrument with this many strings that means constant frustration. Quality pins turn smoothly and stay put.
- Kharak fit β each bridge must sit flat and carry its strings at an even height, or notes choke and buzz.
- Even string spacing β clean, consistent courses let the mezrabs land accurately at speed.
- Balanced voice β a good santoor rings with shimmer but stays articulate; muddiness is the mark of a poor soundboard.
Read more: Tips For Buying A Good Santoor and Which Santoor Should I Start With.
A short history
Struck-string instruments appear on Babylonian and Assyrian reliefs nearly three thousand years ago, and the santur has been documented in Persia for many centuries as one of the principal instruments of the classical tradition. As the design travelled it seeded an entire family: the 100-string Indian santoor of Kashmir, the Greek santouri, the Iraqi santur and the Chinese yangqin all descend from the same idea β strings struck with light hammers over a resonant box. In Iran the santoor became a pillar of the radif, the canonical repertoire of Persian classical music, and twentieth-century masters such as Faramarz Payvar codified its modern technique and notation, carrying the instrument from court chambers to concert halls worldwide.
FAQ
How many strings does a santoor have?
A standard Persian 9 kharak santoor has 72 strings: nine bridges on each side, with four strings passing over each bridge. The right-hand (bass) side is usually strung in brass and the left-hand (treble) side in steel. 12 and 14 kharak models carry more strings and a wider range.
Which santoor should a beginner buy?
Start with a standard 9 kharak instrument β it is what nearly all teachers and method books assume. The Santoor With Hard Case NAS-202 at $349 includes a hard case, and the High Quality Santoor MAS-309 at $499 is a workshop instrument you will not outgrow quickly.
Is the santoor hard to learn?
The first melodies come surprisingly fast because each string is a fixed pitch β there is no fretting or intonation to fight. The long-term challenges are mezrab control and tuning discipline. Consistent daily practice matters more than natural talent.
What is a mezrab?
Mezrabs are the pair of featherweight wooden hammers used to strike the strings; their weight and balance shape the tone as much as the player's hand. We stock a professional mezrab set with a hard case ($39.99), and our guide How To Hold a Persian Santoor Mezrab covers the grip.
Will my santoor arrive in tune?
No stringed instrument survives international transit in tune, and with over 70 strings a santoor is no exception β string tension shifts with temperature and handling, so expect a full tuning session on arrival. This is normal and not a defect. Every instrument is strung, set up and inspected before dispatch, and our guide How To Tune A Persian Santoor walks you through the process step by step.
Do you ship santoors worldwide?
Yes, worldwide. Sala Muzik has shipped instruments since 2009. Every santoor is professionally packed in its case inside a double-walled outer carton, fully insured. Free standard shipping delivers in 3β5 weeks. Express shipping is available at extra cost and typically arrives in 3β5 business days. You choose the carrier (DHL Express, FedEx, or standard postal) at checkout.
What is the difference between the Persian and Indian santoor?
The Persian santoor typically has 72 strings over 9 bridges per side and is played with bare wooden mezrabs, giving a bright, crystalline attack. The Indian santoor of Kashmir has around 100 strings, is held on the lap, and is played with curved mallets for a softer, sustained sound. The two share an ancestor but belong to different classical traditions. More in our article: The Relationship Between Persian Santoor And Indian Santoor.
What accessories do I need?
Three things cover most players: a padded case for transport (Padded Santoor Gig Bag SAFE-309, $99.90), a stable stand (Adjustable Santoor Stand CSK-209, $199) and a spare set of strings ($39). You will find all of them in our Santoor Accessories collection.
Master workshopsSadeghi, Mousavi, Salari & more Β· curated since 2009
Worldwide shippingFully insured Β· carrier chosen at checkout
1-year warranty+ direct expert support
10-day returnsFrom delivery, original condition