The saz, also known as bağlama, is one of the most important instruments in Turkish folk music. At Sala Muzik we offer short neck, long neck, electric, and cura saz models — alongside our full range of professional handmade bağlama, selected from trusted luthiers in Istanbul.
Quick Recommendation — Beginners: start with a Short Neck Mahogany Baglama ASK-111P ($249) — easier to fret, complete with case + strings + plectrum. Traditional repertoire: Professional Long Neck Juniper Baglama OSL-205 ($599) — juniper bowl, spruce face, ebony pegs, full 23-fret range. Stage and amplified play: Long Neck Electric Acoustic with Equalizer ALB-303EQ ($699) — built-in pickup + onboard EQ.
Quick picks by player type
Best for traditional
Professional Long Neck Juniper Baglama OSL-205$599 · Juniper bowl, spruce face, ebony pegs, 23 frets
The saz family — pick the right shape
Saz isn't one instrument; it's a family. The size and neck length change tonal range and the music traditions you can play. Browse by type:
Short Neck Baglama19 frets · easier learning curve · folk + modern
Long Neck Baglama23 frets · full traditional range · asik tradition
Electric SazBuilt-in pickup · stage + studio
Cura & KopuzSmallest saz · highest pitch · ancestor instrument
Long neck vs short neck — which one to start with?
The long-neck saz is the older, traditional instrument with 23 frets that cover the full range of Turkish folk and asik music. The short-neck baglama was developed in the 1970s by Arif Sag and other Istanbul Conservatory players, who removed the upper two frets (B and C) to make it easier to fret and quicker to learn — at the cost of some range.
| Feature | Long Neck Baglama | Short Neck Baglama |
|---|---|---|
| Frets | 23 | 19 |
| Tonal range | Wider, fuller sustain | Narrower, more focused |
| Learning curve | Harder — frets farther apart | Easier — frets closer together |
| Best music | Asik music, traditional folk, halk turkuleri | Arabesque, modern singer-songwriter, vocal accompaniment |
| Preferred by | Traditional players, conservatory students | Beginners, casual players, vocalists |
Detailed breakdown in our blog: Difference Between Long Neck And Short Neck Baglama Saz.
What makes a quality saz
Three things separate a starter saz from a professional-grade instrument: tonewoods, workmanship, and fret precision.
- Bowl wood — walnut, mahogany, mulberry, juniper and wenge are the most common. Walnut is warm and resonant (our most popular choice). Juniper is light and bright, traditional for premium long-neck instruments. Wenge is denser, often used in electric models.
- Soundboard — solid spruce is the standard, prized for tight, even grain and warm projection. Premium and concert-grade models sometimes use Canadian cedar instead — a slightly softer wood with a darker, more complex tonal character favoured by some concert players. Tight, even grain matters more than aesthetic perfection on either wood.
- Fret accuracy — Turkish makam intervals (especially koma and bakiye) require precision the fret can't compromise on. Cheap factory sazs fail here — ours are individually checked.
- Bowl-to-neck joint — the most common failure point on cheap instruments. Look for clean lines, no glue residue, consistent color tone between outer and inner wood.
Read more: Tips For Purchasing A Good Baglama Saz.
A short history
The saz's ancestor is the kopuz — a goat-skin-and-gourd plucked instrument used by Central Asian Turks for at least 1,500 years. Over centuries the kopuz evolved into the wood-bowl saz we know today. Anatolian asiks adopted it as the vehicle for their poetry tradition: stories of love, longing, exile, and resistance, accompanied by improvised melodies on the saz. Through the 20th century, the saz absorbed Western amplification (giving us the electric saz) and the influences of modern Turkish folk fusion (Neset Ertas, Ruhi Su, Asik Veysel, and contemporary players carrying the tradition forward).
FAQ
Is the saz hard to learn?
Moderately. The fretting system is more complex than guitar because of microtonal intervals (koma frets), and the right-hand picking technique (mizrab/tezene) takes practice. But the learning curve is similar to mandolin or oud — 6-12 months of daily practice gets you to playing folk songs comfortably. Start with the short-neck baglama for an easier first instrument.
What strings does the saz use?
Most sazs use 7 strings arranged in 3 courses (the standard baglama setup). String gauges differ between long-neck and short-neck — we carry replacement string sets for both. The Pyramid Saiten German-made strings (our top recommendation) hold tune longer and bend better than the cheaper alternatives.
Can I learn saz without a teacher?
Yes, with discipline. The hardest self-taught skill is right-hand timing — recording yourself and comparing to professional recordings helps. Free saz tutorial videos are abundant online (search "baglama dersleri" in your video platform of choice). For structured learning, our Sala Muzik blog covers tuning, basic strokes and beginner repertoire.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide. Sala Muzik has shipped instruments since 2009. Every saz is professionally packed in a hard or semi-hard case inside a double-walled outer carton, fully insured. Free standard shipping delivers in 3–5 weeks. Express shipping is available at extra cost and typically arrives in 3–5 business days. You choose the carrier (DHL Express, FedEx, or standard postal) at checkout.
How often do I need to change strings?
Casual practice: every 4-6 months. Daily practice or performance: every 6-12 weeks. The lower (bass) strings last longer than the high pairs. Watch for unraveling, dead tone, or oxidation — that's your cue.
What's the difference between saz and bağlama?
In everyday use, yes — the terms are interchangeable. "Saz" is often used to mean bağlama, although technically "saz" is a more general Turkish word for "musical instrument" while "bağlama" is the specific name for this long-necked lute. Older players tend to say "saz," conservatories tend to say "bağlama."
Can I plug an acoustic saz into an amp?
Yes if it has a built-in pickup (look for "AMP jack" or "electric" in the title). For models without one, a soundhole pickup can be installed by any local luthier. For dedicated stage/studio use, choose an instrument designed around the pickup from the factory — our electric saz collection is built around the electronics from the ground up.
Crafted in IstanbulBy trusted luthiers · since 2009
Worldwide shippingCarrier chosen at checkout
1-year warranty+ direct luthier support
10-day returnsFrom delivery, original condition