The siter and celempung each have between 11 and 13 pairs of strings, strung on each side, between a box resonator.

Typically the strings on one side tuned to pélog and the other to slendro.

The siter is generally about a foot long and fits in a box (which it is set upon while played), while the celempung is about three feet long and sits on four legs, and is tuned one octave below the siter.

They are used as one of the elaborating instruments (panerusan), that play cengkok (melodic patterns based on the balungan).

Both the siter and celempung play at the same speed as the gambang (which is rapidly).