Cumbus Turkish Banjo WB P868 Matte Black 4/4

Original Turkish Cumbus long neck saz (sazbush) from the maker Zeynel Abidin Cumbus. Quality instrument from the family’s workshop in Istanbul. It has mechanical peg box for easy tuning, and a screw for adjusting the string ‘action’. This cumbus saz, is a premium edition featuring black finish, and extra fine work.

Specifications

The highlight of the cumbus saz, is an aluminum or copper bowl, that skin is stretched over it; quite similar to the American banjo. The cumbus saz is tuned like standard saz, but can be tuned to many another alternative tuning such as C-G-C tar wise. In modern pieces, the Cumbus is used by the Armenian composer Ara Dinkjian who plays it also in his ensemble ‘Night Ark’. Sazbus as an instrument was a big success in the traditional Turkish parties of the ’40s. For the gypsy musicians who played in huge weddings, it was perfect as the oud and the saz always disappear in big spaces, especially when played with loud instruments such as trumpets drums and so. For them, the cumbus saz was just the perfect solution. Read more about the fascinating life of the Cumbus family from Istanbul.