---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-student-or-professional-sarod'
title: 'What should I look for when buying a student or professional sarod?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-27T01:04:42+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'Once you have chosen the design, compare a student and a professional sarod by the body wood and the steel fingerboard. Professional sarods come from master…'
tags:
  - 'Instruments & artforms'
image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
published: true
og:
  site_name: KalaSudha
  'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:type': image/svg+xml
  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
 

 FAQ · Instruments &amp; artforms

# What should I look for when buying a student or professional sarod?

 Updated 27 October 2026

 

Once you have chosen the design, compare a student and a professional sarod by the body wood and the steel fingerboard. Songlines magazine reports Amjad Ali Khan's view that teak gives the sarod a fuller, richer sound. The fingerboard should be smooth, polished steel, because the left hand slides along it, stopping the strings with nail or fingertip.

Professional sarods come from master workshops in Kolkata and Gwalior, and student sarods from established Indian makers. KalaSudha sells both. Ours suit the serious student and the performer: ask us for a quote, or for a sarod made to order.



 

 Was this answer helpful? [  ](/en-int/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-1234&destination=/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-student-or-professional-sarod)

 [  ](/en-int/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-1234&destination=/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-student-or-professional-sarod)

 

 Thanks for your feedback!

 

 

## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Sarod A fretless plucked lute from North India, the sarod spans three octaves on a steel fingerboard with 19 to 25 strings, played in Hindustani music with a coconut…     ](/en-int/instrument/sarod)
 
  

 

 

   [     Previous question What should I look for when buying a student or professional sarangi?  ](/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-student-or-professional-sarangi) [  Next question What should I look for when buying a student or professional sitar?     ](/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-look-for-when-buying-a-student-or-professional-sitar)