The Guitarra de golpe is a stringed musical instrument

String instrument

A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...

 from Mexico. It has 5 nylon strings in 5 courses. The headstock usually has a traditional shape that is designed to look like a stylised owl. 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.

Like the vihuela

Mexican vihuela

Vihuela is the name of two different guitar-like string instruments: the historical vihuela of 16th century Spain, usually with 12 paired strings, and the Mexican vihuela from 19th century Mexico with five strings and typically played in mariachi groups.-Mexican vihuela:While the Mexican 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.

Tuning

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.

Names

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'.
• Quinta De Golpe: Fifth strum.
• Mariachera: A reference to Mariachi music.