Abstract: There is provided a stringed instrument in which an outer peripheral frame surrounds an open area, and in which a sounding board extends across the open area attached to the frame. Anchoring means for strings are centrally located in the open area, and pegs are distributed around the edge of the frame. Strings are provided between the anchoring means and the pegs, and due to the symmetrical nature of the structure, the high tension forces exerted by the strings on the center anchoring means are largely balanced out, so that particularly heavy bracing structure for the anchoring means is not required. The instrument is suitable for being played by a plurality of players, approaching the instrument from several directions, this being a departure from typical stringed instruments which are designed to be played only by one person at a time.