Mexico
Mexican

Woods, metal, mother-of-pearl, bone
Early 21st century
Length: 43 in; Width: 15 in; Depth: 4.25 in

Chordophone – Lute – Plucked

This beautiful bajo quinto (custom-made) is paired with the accordion in Tex-Mex (“Tejano”) and Norteño (folk) music styles.  The name bajo quinto translates to ‘fifth bass’ or ‘low five.’  It most likely evolved from the Italian baroque guitar, called chitarra battente (a baroque-era guitar) and was brought to Mexico during the colonial period.  At first there was the bajo sexto, a six-course guitar.  It was tuned an octave below the guitar, but the body was not large enough for the lowest E to sound well, so many players only played on the 10 string, 5 courses.  Luthiers recognized this and started making the bajo quinto, as seen here.

This bajo quinto has 10 strings in 5 courses of double steel strings and has the traditional Florentine cutaway design. The bridge is stylized with a raised carving of a darker stained wood, mother-of-pearl and bone. There are mosaic sections of mother-of-pearl across the body in a flame-like pattern, and geometric detailing around the sound hole.  Wood marquetry inlay on the edges is another detail of the design shown on this custom-made instrument. The bajo quinto is usually played with a pick or plectrum with emphasis on the lower bass strings.