The spike fiddle is considered a bowed rebab, which is part of the lute family, and typically has 2 or 3 strings. Spike fiddle rebabs are named for the spike on the bottom of the instrument on which it stands while being played. Spike fiddle rebabs typically have no frets, but instead the fingers of the left hand become movable bridges.

Spike fiddles are found throughout Africa and Asia, characterised by a thin body or spike and a small resonator close to the tail, and played upright in the lap. Traditionally made with rattan strings they now usually have metal strings.

Bowed rebabs, common throughout Europe and Asia, have much larger bodies with either hide or wood tops. They are characterised by cutaways for the bow much like on the violin.