Bajo sexto

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A bajo sexto (Spanish: "lower sixth") is a type of 12 string guitar, fused with a bass, used in Mexican music. It is used primarily in norteño music of northeastern Mexico and across the border in the music of south Texas known as "Tex-Mex," "conjunto," or "música mexicana-tejana".

The bajo sexto sound provides a strong rhythm in the lower pitched end of a Tejano band and also provides a strong projection of chord changes across songs.

A five course version of the bajo sexto has appeared in recent years in response to players removing the final E course, which they feel muddies the sound too much. Unsurprisingly, it's called the bajo quinto.

Bajo sextos are tuned: E,A,D,G,C,F, (from highest to lowest string)

Bajo quintos are tuned: A,D,G,C,F (as above)