This is an oud, a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Middle Eastern, North African, and Central Asian music. It is a fretless instrument with a short neck, and it is a precursor to the modern guitar. The instrument in the image appears to be an Egyptian oud, which is characterized by its decorative mother-of-pearl inlay and ebony wood tuning keys. Ouds are typically made from various woods, such as rosewood, spruce, and ebony. The oud is typically played with a plectrum (a pick) and can have up to 12 strings. Crafted by our finest maker, this premium Rosewood OUD features a handmade Egyptian oud design adorned with real mother of pearl on the face and ebony wood tuning keys. The rosewood back and rich sound make it perfect for professional players seeking a high-quality instrument. What is an oud instrument The oud is a ...