Gambus is the most common lute played in a variety of styles in Malay folk music and as well as syncretic music like ghazal. Sabah used gambus to accompany song and dance. This instrument originate from the Middle East. In Malaysia, the version uses 9 to 12 wire strings which are plucked. There are two types of gambus, Gambus Hadramaut and Gambus Hijaz.
Gambus Hadramaut is like a pear shaped. It is usually made from a combination of pieces of light wood like the seraya merah, seraya bunga, merawan and durian belanda. Gambus Hadramaut do not have frets, and the strings are plucked and attached in double course except the 11th string which is attached individually. The strings are tuned in perfect fifths down from the highest string, starting from middle C. Regular acoustic guitar strings are used.
While Gambus Hijaz is normally used in the Hamdolok performance in Johor. The body of this gambus hijaz is made from jackfruit tree wood. Its front surface is made of goat skin. For the gambus hijaz the strings are attached in double course and also tuned a perfect fifth down from the highest string, starting from middle C.