The Guitarra de golpe is a stringed musical instrument from Mexico.^[1] It has 5 nylon strings in 5 courses. The headstock traditionally has a traditional shape that is designed to look like a stylised owl with wooden pegs, but nowadays this is sometimes replaced with a guitar or vihuela style headstock with machine heads. For a while during the 20th century, the Guitarra De Golpe fell into disuse in traditional Mariachi groups, and was replaced by the Classical guitar. It has now however been revived. It is still an essential part of the "conjuntos de arpa" from Michoacán.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024)

Quick Facts String instrument, Other names ...

Guitarra De Golpe

Guitarra de golpe, front view
String instrument
Other names	Guitarra Colorada, Quinta De Golpe, Mariachera
Classification	String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	(Composite chordophone)
Developed	Jalisco and Michoacán, Mexico
Related instruments
Mexican vihuela, Guitarrón mexicano, Huapanguera, Jarana huasteca, Guitar.

Close

Like the vihuela, it often only has a few frets, but unlike the Vihuela, the frets are made of metal or wood, instead of the vihuela's tied on nylon.

Standard Michoacán tuning: D3, G3, C4, E3, A3.

Tecalitlán tuning: D3, G3, B4, E3, A3.

Urbana Arriba tuning: G3, C4, E4, A3, D4.

Urbana Abajo tuning: G3, C4, E3, A3, D4.

Vihuela tuning: A3, D3, G3, B4, E3.

The Guitarra de Golpe has many names.

• Guitarra de Golpe: Golpe is the name of the strumming pattern used for this and other Mexican instruments.
• Guitarra Colorada: Translates as 'red guitar'. The literal translation is "colored guitar".
• Quinta De Golpe: Fifth strum.
• Mariachera: A reference to Mariachi music.