An old stringed instrument is a type of musical instrument that has been around for centuries. The term includes the VIOL, a bowed string instrument with four strings; the gamba, a bowed string instrument with five strings; the LUTE, a plucked string instrument with four strings; the LYRE, a plucked string instrument with four strings; the rebec, a bowed string instrument with five strings; and the rebeck, a bowed string instrument with six strings. All of these instruments have been used in various forms of music throughout history.