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Baglama Collection
Authentic, hand-built bağlama instruments directly from master luthier workshops in Istanbul, Konya, and Gaziantep — acoustically tested and certified before they ever leave Turkey.
Free expert consultation
Shipped from Brooklyn, NY
Certificate of authenticity
30-day returns
Our Collection
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Baglama Instruments
Bestseller
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Long-Neck · Professional
Master Long-Neck Bağlama
Hand-carved mulberry body, spruce soundboard, movable nylon frets. Built by Mehmet Yıldız of Istanbul — our most popular instrument.
Mulberry
Spruce Top
7 Strings
Long-Neck
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New
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Short-Neck · Beginner
Beginner Short-Neck Saz
Perfect for first-time players. Walnut body, easy-action neck, pre-set Bağlama Düzeni tuning. Includes a beginner's guide and tezene pick set.
Walnut
Short-Neck
Incl. Picks
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Pro Grade
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Long-Neck · Concert Grade
Concert Bağlama — Handpicked
Individually selected and certified. Aged cedar soundboard, rosewood neck, double-strung bass courses. Played and approved by Leyla Yıldız before dispatch.
Cedar Top
Rosewood
Concert
Certified
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Cümbüş-Style · Hybrid
Cümbüş Bağlama
Metal resonator body, bağlama-style neck and tuning. Bright, penetrating tone that projects beautifully in ensemble settings. A uniquely Turkish design.
Metal Resonator
Hybrid
Loud
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New 2025
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Electric · Solid-Body
Electric Bağlama
Solid walnut body with custom-wound single-coil pickup. Plug straight into an amp or audio interface. Traditional tuning and movable frets preserved.
Solid Walnut
Pickup
Electric
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Sale
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Children's Size · Beginner
Children's Bağlama
A perfectly scaled 3/4-size bağlama for young players aged 5–12. Light, easy to hold, with soft nylon strings. An ideal introduction to Turkish folk music.
3/4 Size
Nylon Strings
Ages 5–12
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Acoustic-Electric · Long-Neck
Acoustic-Electric Bağlama
The best of both worlds — full acoustic resonance with a built-in piezo pickup and preamp. Tone, volume and EQ controls on the shoulder. Stage-ready.
Piezo Pickup
EQ Built-in
Stage
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Long-Neck · Intermediate
Intermediate Long-Neck Bağlama
The ideal second instrument. Upgraded mulberry body with a finely crafted neck. Balanced action, responsive tuning pegs. Ready for advanced makam practice.
Mulberry
Long-Neck
Intermediate
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Meydan Sazı · Large Format
Meydan Sazı — Large Body
The largest bağlama family member. Deep bass projection for ensembles and stage performance. Traditionally used by Aşık poets for large gathering performances.
Large Body
Deep Bass
Stage
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Travel Size · Compact
Travel Bağlama
Compact body design that fits in overhead luggage. Full playability, real tonewoods. Perfect for touring musicians who refuse to leave their saz at home.
Compact
Carry-On
Gig Bag
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Divan Sazı · Bass
Divan Sazı — Bass Bağlama
Tuned one octave below standard. Provides the bass voice in ensemble settings. Rare, commanding, and deeply resonant — a collector's instrument.
Bass Tuning
Ensemble
Rare
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Accessories · Bundle
Bağlama Starter Bundle
Everything a new player needs: spare string set, 5x tezene picks (thin/medium/thick), tuner clip, cleaning cloth, and our printed beginner's booklet.
String Set
Tezene ×5
Tuner
Guide
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🎵Sound
🪵Wood
🎼Makam
Everything You Need to Know
The Saz Instrument
"The bağlama is not just an instrument — it is the voice of a people, carrying stories across mountains and centuries."
The saz instrument — formally known as the bağlama — is a long-necked lute that sits at the very centre of Turkish folk music. Played with a thin plectrum called a tezene, it produces a bright, resonant tone capable of the full emotional range of Turkish musical expression: from joyful wedding dances to haunting political protest songs.
What makes the saz instrument unique is its system of movable frets — thin nylon threads tied around the neck that can be repositioned to access different makam (modal) scales. This allows the player to produce microtones that fall between the keys of a standard Western piano, giving the instrument its characteristic Anatolian colour.
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- Plucked with a tezene — a thin, flexible plectrum made from cherry bark or plastic
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- Movable nylon frets allow full microtonal makam expression
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- Available in long-neck (saz) and short-neck (bağlama) configurations
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- Traditionally strung with metal strings in triple courses
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- Used in folk, protest, classical, and modern fusion music
Complete Buyer's Guide
Baglama Saz For Sale — What to Look For
Not all baglama saz instruments sold online are equal. The market is full of decorative pieces that look authentic but are unplayable — or worse, develop tuning problems within weeks. Here is exactly what to check before you buy a baglama saz for sale from any retailer.
Solid Wood Top
Always ask whether the soundboard is solid or laminated. Solid spruce or cedar soundboards resonate dramatically better and improve with age. Plywood tops are cheaper but acoustically inferior.Movable Frets
A genuine baglama uses tied nylon frets that can be repositioned. If the frets are fixed metal, the instrument cannot access microtonal makam scales — a fundamental limitation.Maker's Certificate
Authentic handmade baglama should ship with a provenance certificate naming the luthier, their city, the tonewoods used, and the date of completion. Without this, you cannot verify origin.Acoustic Testing
Every instrument in our collection is played by our in-house musician before listing. Ask any retailer whether their baglama saz for sale instruments are acoustically tested before dispatch.Neck Profile
The neck should be straight and comfortable — check for any bow or twist. A well-fitted neck is essential for precise intonation across the fretboard, especially in the higher positions.Shipping Conditions
A baglama is sensitive to humidity changes during transit. The best retailers humidity-condition instruments before packing and use custom-fitted hard cases for international shipping.Baglama Price Tiers Explained
Understanding price tiers helps you find the right baglama saz for sale for your budget and skill level.
Level
Price Range
Construction
Best For
Beginner
$89 – $189
Laminate / Semi-solid
First instrument, children, casual players
Intermediate
$190 – $320
Solid soundboard, quality tonewoods
Players with 1–3 years experience
Professional
$320 – $600
Solid throughout, master-made
Serious students, performers, teachers
Concert Grade
$600+
Aged woods, individually certified
Professional musicians, collectors
Cultural Heritage
The Turkish Saz — A Living Tradition
The Turkish saz has been the central instrument of Anatolian storytelling for over a thousand years. It is the instrument of the Aşık — wandering poet-musicians who carried oral history, moral stories, and romantic ballads across the mountains and villages of Turkey on foot, their long-neck saz slung across their back.
Today the Turkish saz remains inseparable from Turkish identity. It is played in village squares, concert halls, protest rallies, and living rooms. Its sound is instantly recognisable to millions of people who grew up hearing it — the bright metallic ring of its strings, the microtonal bends that no Western instrument can reproduce.
When you buy a Turkish saz from us, you are not buying a product. You are entering a living tradition that stretches back across continents and centuries.
Origin
Descended from Central Asian Turkic lutes carried westward over a millennium ago into Anatolia.Aşık Tradition
The Turkish saz is the instrument of wandering poet-musicians who preserved oral culture across generations.Makam Music
Uniquely suited to Turkey's makam modal system — microtonal frets access scales unavailable on Western instruments.Global Reach
The Turkish saz is now played by musicians on six continents, from New York City to Tokyo and São Paulo.Luthier Craft
Master luthiers in Istanbul, Konya and Gaziantep continue building Turkish saz instruments by hand using centuries-old methods.Modern Fusion
The Turkish saz now appears in jazz, electronic, and world music, carrying ancient roots into new sonic territory.
Why Buy From Us
The Best Saz Instrument For Sale — Guaranteed
When you search for a saz instrument for sale, the difference between retailers comes down to one thing: do they actually know these instruments? Our founders Kemal and Leyla grew up playing bağlama. Every saz instrument for sale in our collection has been personally selected, played, and approved before it reaches you.
Hand-Selected
Kemal personally visits Turkish workshops 3–4 times a year to select each instrumentAcoustically Tested
Every saz is played through its full range by our musicians before listingCertified Origin
Named luthier, city, materials, and completion date on every certificateExpert Packaging
Humidity-conditioned and custom-packed for safe international transit30-Day Returns
If you're not satisfied, we make it right — no questions askedFree Advice
Not sure which saz to choose? Our team answers every question personally
Complete Reference Guide
Saz Instrument Tuning — All Düzens Explained
Saz instrument tuning uses a system called düzen — a set of traditional tunings that each open the instrument to different makam scales and emotional characters. Unlike Western instruments with a single standard tuning, the bağlama uses multiple düzens depending on the song and musical context.
Bağlama Düzeni
Most Common
A
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E
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B
The standard starting tuning for most beginners. Used for the widest range of folk songs (türkü). Also called "Do Düzeni" in some regional traditions.
Kara Düzen
Folk & Protest
G
·
D
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A
A darker, more melancholic tuning associated with Alevi music, protest songs, and deeply emotional folk repertoire. Slightly lower than Bağlama Düzeni.
Misket Düzeni
Regional
A
·
D
·
A
Characteristic of certain regional folk song traditions. The open drone string creates a resonant, hypnotic quality well-suited to dance music.
Bozuk Düzen
Classical
C
·
G
·
D
Used for more complex classical repertoire. Provides access to a wider note range and suits certain makam scales that other düzens cannot accommodate easily.
String Layout — Long-Neck Bağlama (Bağlama Düzeni)
Course 1
A
Course 2
E
Course 3
B
Always tune from the bass string (Course 3) upward — this is the traditional method used by Turkish luthiers.
Allow the instrument to reach room temperature before tuning — cold strings go sharp as they warm up.
Use a chromatic clip-on tuner set to A=440Hz. Some traditional players prefer A=432Hz — try both and see what sounds right to your ear.
Step-by-Step How-To
Tuning Baglama — A Beginner's Guide
Tuning baglama for the first time can feel daunting — the instrument has more strings than a guitar, uses unfamiliar note names, and the movable frets add an extra layer of complexity. This step-by-step guide walks you through tuning baglama to the most common starting point: Bağlama Düzeni (A–E–B).
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Get a Chromatic Tuner
A clip-on chromatic tuner (set to A=440Hz) is the most reliable tool for tuning baglama. Free apps like GuitarTuna also work well. Avoid piano-based tuners as they can't detect the individual string courses clearly.2
Identify the Three String Courses
The bağlama has three courses (groups of strings): the bass course (2 strings, lowest), the middle course (2 strings), and the treble course (3 strings, highest). In Bağlama Düzeni, they tune to B, E, and A from bass to treble.3
Tune the Bass Course First (B)
Pluck the bass course strings one at a time and turn the corresponding peg slowly until your tuner reads B. Tune both strings in the course to the same note. Tighten slowly — new strings take time to settle.4
Tune the Middle Course (E)
Move to the middle course and tune both strings to E. Cross-check by plucking them together — they should sound like a single clear note with no beating or wavering between them.5
Tune the Treble Course (A)
Tune all three treble strings to A. The two outer strings typically sit at A while the middle string in some traditions is tuned to A as well. Listen for clarity and evenness across all three strings.6
Check and Fine-Tune
After tuning all courses, pluck each one again from the top — strings settle slightly under tension. Run through all three courses twice. A newly strung bağlama may need re-tuning several times in the first week as the strings stretch.⚠️ Common tuning baglama mistakes
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- Tuning too fast — rushing causes string breakage. Turn pegs in small increments only
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- Ignoring course consistency — strings within a course must match exactly or the instrument sounds out of tune even when tuned
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- Forgetting the frets — if your frets have shifted, even a perfectly tuned open string will produce wrong notes when fretted
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- Cold instrument — bring it to room temperature before tuning; strings go sharp as they warm
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- Old strings — strings older than 6 months go false and cannot hold tuning accurately; replace them
Not Sure Where to Start?
Our team can walk you through tuning baglama on a live video call — completely free with any instrument purchase from our store. Book a Free Setup Call🎶 Pro Tip — Ear Training
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- Sing before you tune — hum the note B before turning the peg; your ear will guide the tuner
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- Tune by ear once a week — even if you use a tuner, practising interval recognition speeds up your musical development dramatically
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- Reference recording — find a recording of the specific song you're learning and match your open strings to the recording's pitch
From Our Players
What Bağlama Players Say
The long-neck bağlama I ordered arrived in perfect condition. The tone is extraordinary — clear, resonant, and with that authentic Anatolian warmth I've been searching for in every saz instrument for sale I've looked at over the years. Worth every dollar.
I've been tuning baglama for twenty years and I still learned something from the setup guide that came with my new instrument. The certificate of authenticity with the luthier's actual signature is a detail that means the world. This is a serious operation.
I bought the beginner short-neck saz for my daughter who is eight years old. She picked it up in minutes and hasn't put it down. The children's size is perfect — it even came pre-tuned and with a little booklet in English explaining the strings.
Quick Answers
Baglama FAQ
Common questions about buying, tuning, and playing a bağlama saz instrument.
Full 100-Question FAQ Hub →✦Is the bağlama the same as a saz?▾
Yes — the terms are used interchangeably. "Saz" means "instrument" in Turkish and colloquially refers to the bağlama. "Bağlama" is the correct formal name for the specific long or short-neck lute.
✦What is the difference between a long-neck and short-neck bağlama?▾
Long-neck bağlamas have a wider tonal range and more frets, producing a deeper, more versatile sound suited for classical and advanced folk repertoire. Short-neck versions have a brighter sound and are often considered more beginner-friendly.
✦What tuning should a beginner start with?▾
Bağlama Düzeni (A–E–B) is the standard starting tuning and the one most Turkish folk songs are written in. All instruments in our beginner range arrive pre-set to Bağlama Düzeni.
✦How long do bağlama strings last?▾
With regular daily practice, strings typically last 3–6 months. Wipe them with a clean dry cloth after every session to extend their life. Old strings go false and subtly undermine your ear training — replace them regularly.
✦Do you ship bağlama instruments worldwide?▾
Yes — we ship from our Brooklyn, NY headquarters to 60+ countries worldwide with tracked, insured delivery. We handle all customs documentation. Most international orders arrive within 5–10 business days.
✦Can I get advice before buying?▾
Absolutely — this is one of our favourite things. Contact us and describe your musical background, goals, and budget. Kemal or Leyla will personally recommend the right bağlama for you. No charge, no pressure.
Find Your Perfect Bağlama
From beginner short-neck saz to concert-grade long-neck bağlama — our team will help you find exactly the right instrument for where you are in your musical journey.