Do It Again

The recording

The solo on “Do It Again” is played on a rented Danelectro electric sitar, a cheap plastic‑bodied instrument Denny Dias described as a “piece of crap” rental. Dias recorded the part in the 1972 sessions for Can't Buy A Thrill, then ran it through an early ring‑modulator effect, giving the line its distinctive metallic, bell‑like texture. The sitar‑like tone sits prominently in the mix, panned slightly left, atop a clean, low‑gain amp backdrop.

Reported gear

1960s Danelectro Electric Sitar (rental)

Guitar

Denny Dias recorded the solo on a rented Danelectro electric sitar, a cheap plastic‑bodied instrument he called a “piece of crap” rental (source [1]).

Ring Modulator (unspecified)

Ring Modulator

An early ring modulator effect was used to give the sitar‑like tone a metallic, bell‑like quality (source [3]).

Alternatives

Danelectro Electric Sitar (2020 reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the 1960s Danelectro Electric Sitar (rental)

$150 to $200

Eventide H3000 Ultra‑Harmonizer (Ring Mod section)

Modern equivalent · for the Ring Modulator (unspecified)

$1,000 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Play the part on a Danelectro electric sitar or use a sitar‑simulation pedal with a standard electric guitar.
2. 2.Pick near the bridge for a bright, twangy attack.
3. 3.Apply a ring‑modulator or similar metallic effect to create the characteristic shimmering texture.
4. 4.Use precise, controlled bends and subtle vibrato to shape each note.
5. 5.Keep the amp clean with low gain; a modest treble boost helps the sitar cut through the mix.