The Tar is a string musical instrument with 6 strings and belongs to the lute family. Different versions of Tar are played in different countries with many similarities.

Tar is designed to play solo or to accompany the vocalist or a band. Tar has great credit due to its capability of many Western techniques, while it has the delicacy of Eastern music.

• In making Tar, many components are made of the natural elements and it makes a fabulous feeling when you have a chance to play it.
• The most expensive Tars are made by the Maestro Yahya (Hovhannes Abkarian, 1875-1931) and for many museums worldwide, collecting one of them is an honour. They are unique in the pattern of the echo box and wood texture and they are still many researchers investigating his techniques. It is said that Yahya was very confident about his Tars’ quality and if one was made with non-adequate quality,, he put them in his chimney, not to hurt his fame and name.

Tar components:

• Echo box: is always hand carved and has two symmetrical halves. The wood is usually Mulberry, which is known as a great tone-wood and is also carvable. Making the symmetric bowl with the right shape and preferred wood texture and pattern.
• Top body: the whole top body is a one-piece sheepskin.
• Bridge: The bridge on the skin is made of ram horn.
• Neck or Fretboard: The fretboard is made of Walnut wood, while there is a longitudinal camel bone layout on both sides of the fretboard for decoration, as well as resisting wear. The contact between camel bone and strings makes a unique sound timber as well.
• Strings: 0.2mm Stainless steel (for string #1, #2, #5), 0.2mm bronze(for string #3 and #4) and 0.35mm bronze(for string #6) are the common strings to use.

Pegs: Pegs are situated in the peg box with six holes. Making the great peg box is also a big challenge for Tar makers.