Bajo quinto

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.

With the innovation of acoustic-electric pickup systems, the body is often similar in size to that of a guitar.

Since its predecessor the bajo sexto is tuned an octave below the guitar, the body on some instruments is not large enough for the lowest E to resonate well, and many players remove the sixth course, playing on only 10 strings (five courses).

Many also preferred their instruments without the two lowest bass strings as they mainly focused on melodic leads.