Yemen
Arabs

Wood, gut strings, metal, bone
19th century
Height: 31.5 in; Width: 6.675 in; Depth: 4.375 in
Chordophones – Lutes

This qanbus has been dubbed ‘The Lost Lute of the Yemen.’ It is very difficult to find nowadays, as it has been completely taken over by the Arabian oud. It may also be called qambus or turbi. It is made of one piece of wood that is hollowed out. The resonator body is covered with hide that is tacked on. The hollowed out neck, covered with wood, has resonator holes, no frets, and two types of decorative metal inlaid. There are seven gut strings that are still attach to the ‘C’ shaped peghead that has a mirror type facing. The strings run across a bridge on the soundhead and attach to a wide peg at the bottom, each running through a hole and are secured with circular bone buttons.