Definition: Large trapezoidal zither with many strings in pairs, 3s or 4s stretched over long (sometimes individually moveable) bridges. Played with small wooden or cane hammers. Played in British Isles and North America. Closely related to the Hungarian cymbalom, German/Swiss hackbrett, Iraqi and Iranian santir (probably the origin of all of these), Indian santoor, Korean yangum and Chinese yang qin.
Square neck models are usually played with a steel and held horizontally on the lap or in front of the standing player with a strap. Lap steel style players generally refer to the instrument as a Dobro. We can't as it is a registered trade mark!
