The term BASS VIOL is a collective term for a variety of STRING instruments, including the baryton (7 letters), gamba (5 letters), degas (5 letters), rebec (5 letters), AMATI (5 letters), and STRING (6 letters). These instruments are all members of the viol family, which is a type of bowed STRING instrument that originated in Europe during the Renaissance period. The bass viol is the largest member of the viol family and is typically tuned lower than other viols. It is often used to provide a low-pitched accompaniment to other instruments.