Bajo quinto

The Bajo quinto (Spanish: "fifth bass") is a Mexican string instrument from the guitar family with 10 strings in five double courses.

It is played in a similar manner to the guitar, with the left hand changing the pitch with the frets on a fingerboard while the right hand plucks or strums the strings with or without a pick. Its design was meant to accompany a bass guitarist and an accordion player, and taking turns with the latter leading melodic leads. This dynamic is a staple in regional Mexican styles. This is where it differs from its predecessor, the bajo sexto (Spanish: "sixth bass"), which has an additional lower pair of strings; 12 total (six double courses). It's worth noting that the introduction of bass players eventually led to many players no longer using the lowest pair of strings; which led to the bajo quinto's creation.