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Name: GAMBUS
The gambus is the most common lute found in a variety of styles in Malay folk music as well as syncretic music such as ghazal. It is also used to accompany song and dance in Sabah. Originating from the Middle East, the Malaysian version uses 9 to 12 wire strings which are plucked. There are two types of gambus in use, the Gambus Hadramaut and Gambus Hijaz. (Matusky, 1985).
The Gambus Hadramaut is shaped like a pear fruit. It is made from a combination of pieces of light wood like the seraya merah, seraya bunga, merawan and durian belanda. Gambus Hadramaut do not have frets and the strings are plucked and attached in double course except the 11th string which is attached individually. The strings are tuned in perfect fifths down from the highest string, starting from middle C. Regular acoustic guitar strings are used.
Gambus Hijaz is usually used in the Hamdolok performance in Johor. The body of this gambus is made from jackfruit tree wood and its front surface is made of goat skin. For the gambus hijaz the strings are attached in double course and also tuned a perfect fifth down from the highest string, starting from middle C. (Nik Mustapha, 1998).
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