Tiple

A tiple (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtiple], literally treble or soprano), is a particular type of guitar, typically with 10 or 12 strings but sometimes fewer, and is built in several distinct regional styles. A tiple player is called a tiplista. The first written mention of an instrument called "tiple" comes from musicologist Pablo Minguet e Irol in 1752. The 12-string Colombian tiple is considered the country's national instrument. The Puerto Rican tiple characteristically has fewer than twelve strings, as do those from Cuba, Mallorca, and North America.