Cak (instrument)

The Cak is a stringed musical instrument from Java. It has four strings in three courses. It is tuned D5 D5, F#4, B4. The strings are made of steel.
The body is usually hollowed out of a solid piece of wood. The soundboard has many little soundholes arranged in a geometric pattern. It is mainly used to play Keroncong music along with the Cuk.

History

The Cak is thought to be evolved from a banjo, but developed as a small-sized wooden front and a guitar-shaped body. However, the earlier period in Ancient Java shows clear evidences that the native Javanese were already familiar with the small plucked instrument.