Cuatro Strings

The cuatro family of Latin American string instruments is popular in Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Rooted in the Spanish guitar tradition, most cuatros share similarities with small to mid-sized classical guitars, though some may exhibit viola-like shapes.  In Puerto Rico and Venezuela, the cuatro holds a significant role as an ensemble instrument for both secular and religious music, frequently heard at festivities and traditional gatherings. The term "cuatro" translates to "four" in Spanish, reflecting its lineage from 15th-century predecessors like the Spanish vihuela and the Portuguese cavaquinho, both featuring four strings akin to the cuatro.

Modern cuatros boast a diverse range of sizes, shapes, and string configurations. They may feature single strings akin to guitars or double- or triple-coursed strings reminiscent of mandolins. Their sizes vary from those resembling large mandolins or small guitars to full-size guitars. Depending on their specific stringing, cuatros align with either the guitar or mandolin subfamilies within the lute family.