Cumbus

The Cümbüş, also known as Cumbush or Cumbus, is a distinctive stringed instrument characterized by its aluminum body and skin soundboard. Its name derives from its inventor, Zeynel Abidin Cümbüş, who was honored with this surname by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Developed in the 1930s, the term "cümbüş" itself translates to "fun and revelry" in Turkish, reflecting its lively and celebratory nature.

Upon first glance, the standard Cümbüş resembles and even sounds akin to the American banjo, producing a metallic timbre that sets it apart. In addition to the standard model, our catalog features a variety of Cümbüş types, including the long-necked Cümbüş played with a bow, known as sazbüş (sazbus). Other variants include those with walnut and maple bodies, electric models, cura, long-neck and short-necked sazbüş, and even a Cümbüş ukulele.

The history of the Cümbüş dates back to its creation as a Turkish banjo, equipped with six pairs of strings and a fretless handle. Structurally, it bears resemblance to both the American banjo and the oud, with a detachable neck that separates from the body. Played with a plectrum, its versatility has made it a popular choice in folk music, particularly at Gypsy weddings where its vibrant sound surpasses traditional wind instruments like trumpets and clarinets in impact.

Initially introduced to Atatürk in 1929, who then bestowed upon it the name "cümbüş" in 1934, Zeynel Abidin Cümbüş envisioned its use in classical music, although it found greater popularity in celebratory and folk contexts. Despite its historical roots and unique musical capabilities, it remains underappreciated in Turkish music circles, yet continues to be favored by enthusiasts for its ease of learning and enjoyable playability.

The diversity of the Cümbüş is evident in its various types, each distinguished by its handle configuration and the resulting range of tones and chords. From the fretless standard model akin to an oud to the long-handled skin-tuned cura cümbüş, and the bow-played tambur-tuned drum cümbüş, each variant offers unique musical possibilities. Other types include the guitar-tuned cümbüş, mandolin-tuned mando cümbüş, and the wooden-bodied harmonic cümbüş, catering to diverse musical genres and preferences.

In summary, the Cümbüş stands out among Turkish musical instruments for its metallic body, fretless neck, and wide sonic palette, making it a versatile choice appreciated by enthusiasts across various musical genres despite its historical underrepresentation in formal Turkish music traditions.