Turkish Short Neck Baglama CSS-123
- In stock, ready to ship
The Short Neck Baglama CSS-123 uses a hybrid mahogany-and-maple bowl with spruce top — a tonewood pairing that combines mahogany's articulation with maple's reflective brightness. It's the most acoustically transparent saz in our short-neck lineup, often chosen by recording engineers and ensemble leaders.
Why a hybrid bowl matters
Single-wood bowls produce a single tonal character. Hybrid bowls — laminating two different woods in alternating ribs — produce a more complex, balanced tone where neither wood dominates. The CSS-123's mahogany ribs supply attack and clarity; the maple ribs add reflective brightness and sustain. The result is the kind of "flat-response" sound studio engineers love: easier to EQ, less likely to fight the mix, more forgiving across different playing contexts.
Best for
- Recording artists wanting a balanced saz tone that mixes easily
- Ensemble players in groups where each instrument needs space
- Cross-genre musicians (Turkish folk + fusion + world music)
- Players who haven't yet committed to walnut-warmth or mahogany-brightness
- Anyone curious about hybrid-bowl construction
Not best for
- Solo performers wanting maximum tonal personality (pick single-wood)
- Long-neck traditional players (short-neck only)
- Live amplification (no pickup — see ASEL-104 or W2)
Specifications
| Bowl wood | Mahogany + Maple hybrid |
|---|---|
| Soundboard | Spruce |
| Neck length | Short |
| Frets | 19 |
| Includes | Soft case, plectrum, replacement strings |
| Country of origin | Istanbul, Türkiye |
CSS-123 vs other Sala sazs
| Model | Price | Neck | Bowl wood | Pickup/Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASK-111P | $249.99 | Short neck | Mahogany | — |
| CSS-123 | $249.99 | Short neck | Mahogany/Maple | — |
| ASK-150 | $269 | Short neck | Walnut | — |
| ASL-202 | $249 | Long neck | Walnut | AMP jack |
| ASEL-104 | $399 | Long neck | Wenge | Electric pickup |
| W2 | $499 | Long neck | Maple | Electric + Leslie effect |
| RT1 | $699 | Long neck | — | Electric + built-in rhythms |
FAQ
Is the saz hard to learn?
Moderately. The fretting system has microtonal koma intervals, and right-hand picking (mızrab/tezene) takes practice. Plan 6-12 months of daily practice to play folk songs comfortably.
Can I plug an acoustic saz into an amp?
Yes if your model has an AMP jack or built-in pickup. For acoustic-only sazs, a soundhole pickup can be installed by any luthier — but for stage use, a factory electric model gives cleaner signal.
How often do I change strings?
Casual practice: 4-6 months. Daily practice or performance: 6-12 weeks. The lower bass strings last longer than the high pairs.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide. Sazs ship in custom foam-cushioned boxes. You choose carrier at checkout — DHL Express, FedEx, or standard postal. EU/US express orders typically 5-9 business days.
When Will I receive my order?
Free shipping to the United States takes 3–5 business days.
For destinations outside the United States, free shipping takes 3–5 weeks and DHL shipping takes 2–4 days.
Does Sala Muzik Ship Internationally?
We currently ship anywhere in the World.
