Check Out the Yaybahar, a New Acoustic Instrument That Sounds Like a Digital Synth

There's no question that the Yaybahar, a new acoustic instrument made by Turkish musician Görkem Şen, is a thing of beauty. What's crazy are the sounds it is able to emit. Without any electricity, this instrument makes space age sounds worthy of a digital synth. In the video below, Şen demonstrates how vibrations from the strings are transmitted via coiled springs to the frame drums, echoing back and forth along the membranes. Alternatively, the Yaybahar can also be played using mallets or with a bow, which create different—but equally hypnotic—sounds. Exotic, futuristic, yet warmly emotional, this is truly an instrument for our times.