Ghichak; spike fiddle

Ghichak, spike fiddle, with bow (M621a-1996). The edge of the mammal-skin soundtable is glued to the bowl shaped (mulberry?) wood body, and covered with brown fabric tape. A ring of white plastic encircles the tape. A curved plate of metal is attached to the end of the bulbous wooden spike, for resting the instrument on the player's knee. The four metal strings run from the pegs over the angled bridge and are attached to a metal tailpiece fixed to the spike. A rectangular section of plastic is fixed beneath the tailpiece to protect the skin. The two lower strings are copper overwound, and have a sounding length of 328mm. and 325mm. The higher ones are steel and have a sounding length of 317mm. and 313mm. A length of raffia for suspending the instrument while not in use is tied around the finial.