Мексикалық төрт тартылғыш аспап

Mexican string instrument

The Bajo sexto (Spanish: "sixth bass") is a Mexican string instrument from the guitar family with 12 strings in six double courses. It's 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 original design was meant to accompany accordion players and thus offer a plethora of possibilities with only two musicians. This dynamic is a staple in regional Mexican styles, even with groups consisting of multiple instruments. The introduction of bass players eventually led to many players no longer using the lowest pair of strings. For that reason, the bajo sexto predates its close relative, the bajo quinto (Spanish: "fifth bass"), which eliminated the lowest pair of strings and only has 10 (five double courses). When played in older styles of music where the instrument assumes the role of a bass, the strings are usually plucked with the fingers. In modern chordal and melodic styles, a pick is frequently used.

Requinto style setups for 12 string, also known as Mexican 12 String guitars, represent a distinctive and innovative approach to instrument customization, deeply inspired by the rich traditions of the bajo sexto and quinto in Mexican music. The scarcity of dedicated luthiers specializing in bajo sexto and quinto instruments spurred the creation of the requinto style 12 string guitar—a testament to musicians' ingenuity. In contrast to traditional 12 string counterparts, characterized by a configuration of six pairs of strings, most tuned an octave apart, requinto style setups feature two sets of six strings. This configuration yields a resonant timbre reminiscent of the venerable bajo sexto. Popular guitar manufacturers of 12 strings, including Takamine, Fender, Martin, and Ibanez, have emerged as favored canvases for crafting requinto style instruments. The most popular option by far is Takamine, with its Takamine Signature artist model for John Jorgenson, commonly referred to as "el JJ" by players, being so sought after it's often sold out. In an interview with Takamine, Jorgenson learned the factory in Japan "couldn't build them fast enough". An iconic Regional Mexican style guitarist named Ariel Camacho used his signature 12 string with a requinto style set up before he died young and many players favor his model in particular. It's worth noting that the traditional bajo sexto, engineered to endure high tension, differs markedly from the smaller and more modest physique of modern 12 string guitars, potentially ill suited to such demands. To mitigate this excess tension, musicians employ various strategies, including:

String Gauges: Using the lightest possible string gauges to minimize tension. 11 String set up: Often utilizing a single E string instead of the conventional two. Detuning and Capos: Employing detuning methods, either with or without capos on the first or second fret, to achieve open strings in the standard key. Bridge Reinforcements: Installing pressure posts, such as the JDL Bridge Doctor, beneath the bridge to prevent structural issues like bridge detachment, neck snapping, or belly warping. These pressure posts can be either screw mounted or installed with brass pins, allowing horizontal string mounting, with the latter being recommended. Remaining true to tradition, customization remains a defining characteristic of these 12 string setups. Contemporary customizations encompass wrapping the guitar in a fashion reminiscent of automobile aesthetics, altering pickguards, fitting specialized soundhole pick ups, and adorning the instrument with artistic embellishments—a vibrant reflection of musicians' creative ingenuity in lieu of finding a luthier in a now rare specialty.