Description: The rebab is a lute whose origins are of ancient afghanistan. The rebab is considered the fore-runner of the Hindustani (East Indian) Sarode, being similar though with metal fingerboard and no frets. This instrument has frets, often tied on with fishing line or othe similar material. Bone is used for the bridge and nut. The rebab is used in traditional or classical "klasikh" musics, and is particularly popular amongst the Pashto people, though widely used through out Afghanistan. Also used in Afghani court music, and contemporary (modern) musics. The rebab is found in Central asia to South Asia, geographically this would be Persia to India and neighboring Tajikistan. In India this is mostly limited to North India, in particular Kashmir, Pakistan (tribal areas).
Anatomy: The rebab, has 24 strings in total, 6 playing strings 12 sympathetic strings or "chikari" in Hindi. Three or four frets often tied on. Originally the frets were attached something like sitar frets are tied on but this is mostly antiquated. A friend of mine and his partner had seen one of these in person. But this form of rebab is quite rare. Most of the materials of the rebab, the skin is goat skin (sound board cover) and the main body is hollowed out. Some ornamaental etching in the wood is present, the nut is made of bone. This specimen though is common in Afghanistan, my speciment is made in Pakistan. In modern day Afghanistan the bodies are hammered out into shape from scrap metal often from discared oil drums or something similar. High quality rebabs are often hard to find, the specimen I have is quite playable and stays well in tune but it is not a "professional" quality instrument by any means.