Cambodia
Cambodian

Wood, bone, metal strings, python skin, horse hair, fiber rope
Mid 20th century
Length: 22.7 in; Width: 4.5 in
Resonator Diameters: 2.75 in; 1.75 in
Bow: Length: 20.5 in
Chordophones – Lutes

The tro sau toch is a two-string spiked fiddle from Cambodia used in Khmer classical music. The word toch means “small.”  This tro sau toch consists of two metal strings, two tuning pegs carved decoratively with intricate detail, and a hardwood circular/slightly conical wooden sound resonator with  snakeskin sound table covering one end.  A small wooden bridge is used to keep the strings away from the snakeskin head.  There is inlaid bone/ivory decoration on the neck.  When played it is held vertical and the bow is attached to the instrument by passing the bow hairs between the two strings, much the same as the Chinese erhu. Its two metal strings are tuned in 5ths, G—D, higher than the larger tro sau thom.