The oud is the best stringed instrument ever.

Oh my god this little, oddly-proportioned stringed instrument absolutely rules!

And the Arabic ouds like the Iraqi, Syrian, and Egyptian ouds are even more awesome.

Seriously, this thing destroys the guitar, amplified or not.

My favourite instrument is the Hang, I like it's sound.

"best stringed instrument ever"

That's not a cello (also, a case could be made for the piano).

Also, the music being played on that instrument could easily be reproduced on guitar. In fact, it sounds like a Middle Eastern twist on Flamenco guitar.