[1] The Bordonua usually has three sound holes, with a large central one and two smaller ones in the two corners of the upper bout.

The usual body shape is quite slender and tapers in towards the top, however there is a wide variety of other designs also.

[2] The original Bordonua resembles the old 17th century Spanish Acoustic bass guitar[3] called the Bajo de la Una.

All Bordonuas made today are used as bass guitars, primarily by initiatives promoting folk music.

There are several different types of Bordonuas which are made in Puerto Rico today: Apparently, a very small Bordonúa also existed in some regions of the island.