How Mariachi Guitars Are Made
Mariachi, the vibrant and spirited folk music from Southwestern Mexico, is probably the most recognized form of Mexican music, especially in the U.
S.
Mariachi music gets its characteristic vitality and rhythm from three or more violins, one or more trumpets and three different types of guitars: a classical acoustic guitar, a guitarron (large acoustic bass) and a vihuela (small, high-pitched guitar).
Each of the different guitars used in Mariachi has its own unique sound that helps produce the distinct Mariachi sound.
But how exactly are these different guitars made? All the different Mariachi guitars are typically made from cedar, mahogany or rosewood-- or a combination thereof.
Some "luthiers" (guitar-makers) also use spruce, walnut, maple, cypress and other exotic woods to craft guitars for Mariachi musicians.
The finest Mariachi guitars are also commonly inlaid with abalone shell, mother of pearl and/or exotic hardwood species.
The classical acoustic guitar used in most Mariachi ensembles is a "Requinto guitar", although some groups use a "guitarra de golpe" instead.
The requinto is a small acoustic guitar, generally about 15-20% smaller than a standard acoustic.
While the requinto guitar is small, Mexican-made requinto guitars have a deeper body than a standard acoustic.
A typical requinto has six nylon strings tuned at A-D-G-c-e-a.
The guitarron is a huge acoustic bass, nearly the size of a cello.
Its enormous wooden body creates a deep, booming sound produced by its large size.
While the guitarron has a flat front like most guitars, this instrument is designed with a "vaulted" back.
The back of the guitar is constructed of two pieces of wood set together at an angle resembling a V-shape.
The curved, convex back of the guitarron increases the depth of the its body.
The vihuela (a.
k.
a.
Mexican vihuela) is a small guitar with five strings that produces a high-pitched sound.
The vihuela is normally smaller than the requinto guitar, but like a guitarron the vihuela also has a vaulted back.
This deep, convex-curved body of the vihuela helps to amplify its tone.
The vihuela, like the classical acoustic guitar, has nylon strings.
However, three of the strings are tuned up one octave in order to produce a higher-pitched sound.
Today, many of the world's Mariachi guitars are made in the small remote town of Paracho, Mexico.
Guitar makers in Paracho produce many thousands of guitars each year for the Mexican market and for export, including guitars made specifically for Mariachi musicians.
There are also a number of luthiers and guitar companies in the U.
S.
making quality instruments for Mariachi ensembles.
Some of the most widely known Mariachi guitar makers include Paracho Elite, Candela's Guitars, Camino Guitars, Paco Castillo, Barraza, Lucida and Lauren Guitars.
In addition, a number of the larger guitar companies (like Gibson, Ibanez, Washburn, Martin and Alvarez) also make instruments intended for Mariachi music.
S.
Mariachi music gets its characteristic vitality and rhythm from three or more violins, one or more trumpets and three different types of guitars: a classical acoustic guitar, a guitarron (large acoustic bass) and a vihuela (small, high-pitched guitar).
Each of the different guitars used in Mariachi has its own unique sound that helps produce the distinct Mariachi sound.
But how exactly are these different guitars made? All the different Mariachi guitars are typically made from cedar, mahogany or rosewood-- or a combination thereof.
Some "luthiers" (guitar-makers) also use spruce, walnut, maple, cypress and other exotic woods to craft guitars for Mariachi musicians.
The finest Mariachi guitars are also commonly inlaid with abalone shell, mother of pearl and/or exotic hardwood species.
The classical acoustic guitar used in most Mariachi ensembles is a "Requinto guitar", although some groups use a "guitarra de golpe" instead.
The requinto is a small acoustic guitar, generally about 15-20% smaller than a standard acoustic.
While the requinto guitar is small, Mexican-made requinto guitars have a deeper body than a standard acoustic.
A typical requinto has six nylon strings tuned at A-D-G-c-e-a.
The guitarron is a huge acoustic bass, nearly the size of a cello.
Its enormous wooden body creates a deep, booming sound produced by its large size.
While the guitarron has a flat front like most guitars, this instrument is designed with a "vaulted" back.
The back of the guitar is constructed of two pieces of wood set together at an angle resembling a V-shape.
The curved, convex back of the guitarron increases the depth of the its body.
The vihuela (a.
k.
a.
Mexican vihuela) is a small guitar with five strings that produces a high-pitched sound.
The vihuela is normally smaller than the requinto guitar, but like a guitarron the vihuela also has a vaulted back.
This deep, convex-curved body of the vihuela helps to amplify its tone.
The vihuela, like the classical acoustic guitar, has nylon strings.
However, three of the strings are tuned up one octave in order to produce a higher-pitched sound.
Today, many of the world's Mariachi guitars are made in the small remote town of Paracho, Mexico.
Guitar makers in Paracho produce many thousands of guitars each year for the Mexican market and for export, including guitars made specifically for Mariachi musicians.
There are also a number of luthiers and guitar companies in the U.
S.
making quality instruments for Mariachi ensembles.
Some of the most widely known Mariachi guitar makers include Paracho Elite, Candela's Guitars, Camino Guitars, Paco Castillo, Barraza, Lucida and Lauren Guitars.
In addition, a number of the larger guitar companies (like Gibson, Ibanez, Washburn, Martin and Alvarez) also make instruments intended for Mariachi music.
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