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high-pitched Mexican guitar with five strings. This instrument can be identified by its 'vaulted' (curved) back. The vihuela produces the lively rhythmic vibrancy of mariachi. A guitarron is a deep-voiced acoustic bass guitar. The guitarron serves as the bass of the group, since the mariachi ensemble has no drums or other percussion. Like a vihuela, the guitarron has a curved, convex back, but this instrument is much larger - almost the size of a cello! In addition to these two, special Mexican guitars, each mariachi band has a more typical acoustic guitar as well.