Thanks for your suggestions.

wolf tones:
hmm
try tuning that string to a different note ?
you could switch the tunings around a bit
for example .. instead of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
you could do Sa Ga Re Ma Dha Pa – and see if that works.

or – adjust the fret .. maybe it’s slightly too low / too high and it’s hitting the wrong vibration because of this misalignment.

if none of those things work – let me know . I’ll ask around some more.

I have no experience with the standards for western instruments , so can’t tell you the Bow size number or whether you should get a s m l xl size bow . heheh

but here’s what I can tell you

Right now, I’m using a violin bow which I got for free with another instrument .. it’s a little harder to grip because there’s not much of a gap between the hairs and the wood, but I sort of force it open slightly and do it anyway (with only my ring finger, not two fingers).

It’s MUCH lighter (40-50%), and about 20% longer than my dilruba bow.
Works great for me , I love it.
You could do the same.

or if you want me to come up with a general rule of thumb from my experience ->

Compared to your current bow ..
if your new cello bow’s weight = light … length can be longer
if your new cello bow’s weight = heavy-ish .. get a shorter one.

“quality” doesn’t have to be superb. don’t spend too much on a hi-end one.
A cheap, reasonably decent looking one is fine.
just make sure it’s hair , not nylon – and you’re good.

hope that helps.

Bow:
I now sometimes use a violin bow to play my esraj. Since it’s light – I get a lighter sound which seems to de-emphasize the note being played a little bit – and makes the sympathetic strings seem louder.
But since the bow is so light, I have to exert a lot more downward pressure on the string.
I have been told by 2 people that a Cello bow works great too.

Sympathetic wire:
There’s no hard and fast rule really.
If i’m not mistaken – the thinnest possible gauge is Music Wire number 0 (zero).
The thinner the wire – the more resonance you will get – and you can tune the notes much higher too.
A buddy’s Esraj has thin sympathetics (probably number zero) made of copper. It sounds great.
If you use Music wire number 1 – that should also work fine. You’ll just have to tune to slightly lower notes.
Nothing is standardized – every maker’s instruments are slightly different.

Sarangi: I have no experience with the Sarangi – but the principles are most likely the same.

Surbahar and sitar – awesome. any videos up?

I also play surbahar and sitar.