The strings are held in place by pegs instead of tuning rings.

[1] Today, images of the instrument in Egypt may show 12 strings.

The simsimiyya was probably introduced to the country's northern coast from the Nile valley in the 19th century by Egyptian workers in the Suez canal.

The simsimiyya is often used to accompany Egyptian musicians known as suhbagiyya, in the cities of Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez.

[2] It is sometimes used in other countries neighboring Egypt as well, including Libya, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.