Bajo Sextos

A bajo sexto, meaning “sixth bass,” is a stringed instrument used in Mexican folk music. It has 6 doubled courses of strings for a total of 12 steel strings. It’s used especially frequently within the norteño and Tejano styles of music.

A bajo sexo is most often tuned in fourths, like a guitar. The three lower courses are tuned in octaves while the three upper courses are tuned in unison. A common tuning is E1-E2-A1-A2-D2-D3-G2-G2-C3-C3-F3-F3.

Traditionally, the bajo sexto guitar is played with the fingers and is used to form the bass parts in a song. However, modern styles often use the bajo sexto in a more melodic way. As a result, it’s more often strummed or plucked with a pick.

To get the best sound for your bajo sexto, we highly recommend purchasing strings made specifically for bajo sextos. Many brands, such as GHS and D’Addario make strings with the bajo sexto in mind.

Popular Bajo Sextos brands on Reverb include:

• Paracho
• Lucida
• Oscar Schmidt
• Paracho
• Barraza
• Ozark

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