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Guitarron
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Subject: Guitarron From: GUEST,Jerzy Date: 03 Jul 06 - 05:14 PM Hello Mudcat folks, I play a little stand up bass and I've been looking for a smaller/lighter addition to my bass stable. I do also have an acoustic bass guitar and it's great for playing/practicing at home, but if I play with other musicians (even acoustically) I kinda get forced into the background. I have researched the Guitarron on the net and like the idea, but I'd like to get some input from anyone who has actually played one. During my research phase I also discovered that the instrument I am considering has a Nato wood top and neck so I would like info on durability of this wood. |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Jul 06 - 05:39 PM Hi Jerzy, Welcome to Mudcat. I don't have time at the moment to do the search myself, the Guitarron has been mentioned in a number of past threads of various thread titles. I hope some of the other veteran members here will help you locate those-- it is a really cool instrument from what I recall of those discussions and from having heard one played several years ago. There were some concerns and liabilities expressed, as I recall, but also some good experiences. Good luck hunting! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Richard Bridge Date: 03 Jul 06 - 06:02 PM The guitarron is sometimes today played on a spike,like a double bass, which would alleviate the handling problems caused by the really deep body, but my main concern about using one would be how limiting that very short neck length would be. Surely someone does an acoustic bass guitar, or 6-string acoustic bass guitar, with a really big body that would have some real acoustif presence? |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: SharonA Date: 03 Jul 06 - 06:17 PM Richard Bridge says, "Surely someone does an acoustic bass guitar, or 6-string acoustic bass guitar, with a really big body that would have some real acoustif presence?" Not really. I have the Dean EAB "Playmate" model acoustic bass (4-string) with the jumbo body, and my friends tell me they can't hear it during jams. Even when I rehearse with the other 2 members of the trio I'm in, they say they have trouble hearing me above their guitar and banjo. So, if Jerzy isn't concerned with how out-of-place the guitarron might appear in a bluegrass jam or an Irish seisun, then why not go for it? |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Richard Bridge Date: 03 Jul 06 - 06:37 PM What does Bassic play? I seem to remember it carrying very well at Knockholt the time he was there. Off to do some research |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Richard Bridge Date: 03 Jul 06 - 06:50 PM Reviews on the Tacoma CB10C Thunderchief seem good. |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: SharonA Date: 03 Jul 06 - 07:21 PM Lovely, Richard, but Jerzy said he already has an acoustic bass and wants info about a guitarron. |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Alaska Mike Date: 03 Jul 06 - 07:25 PM I purchased a guitarron from a mariachi band in Mexico back in 1968 and played it for about 10 years. It is usually played by plucking 2 strings at a time which are 1 or 2 octaves apart. The deep body gives a nice resonance, but the short neck is very limiting. As long as you understand the limitations, its a blast. Back then, of course, I did not have such a rotund belly. Were I to try it today I'm afraid it would sit more horizontal. Best wishes, Mike PS: I know nothing about Nato wood, sorry. |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: GUEST Date: 03 Jul 06 - 08:21 PM Hi Jerzy, The Guild B-30, B-30E(w/Fishman Transducer), B-50(older model on which the B-30 is based), Ernie Ball Earthwood(if you have upwards of 3000.00US to spend) are the ONLY ones that are playable and can be heard w/o an amp w/banjo, pipes, fiddle. etc. ANYTHING else is CRAP! Don't get a Dean, Taylor(though they LOOK good they're CRAP in an acoustic setting), Washburn, etc None of the ones mentioned can be heard w/o some sort of an amp...so, what's the point!? It's about body cavity size and the Guild and Ernie Ball are the only ones with enough to do the job. The Guilds pop up on ebay now and then and can be had for under 1000.00US including shipping. Have used the mariachi type and the previous poster is right...they're a blast once you adjust to the limitations. Try using some Jim Dunlop fingerpicks to give you some extra volume. I'm, also a finger-style guitarist so it was a minor adjustment to transfer the fingerpicks to my bass playing. The Guild bass is based on the F-50 6 string, but it's 6 3/8" deep instead of 4" at the lower bout and is braced a little heavier. If you do decide to get one try to get one w/t one piece saddle as they are a little more loud and crisp. PS: Hohner made one years ago and I heard one once, but doubt you'll be able to find one. They're even more rare than the Earthwoods. Good luck! Jeff |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Richard Bridge Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:47 AM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Jack Campin Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:41 AM Try the bass ud here... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AUbEPAtO35U |
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Subject: RE: Guitarron From: Backwoodsman Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:00 AM Don't fart about with acoustic bass guitars, guitarrons or any other crap. Get a stand-up bass (double bass). Why? Because they are L-O-U-D, sound wonderful, encourage muscle-growth in the hands and wrists and, most importantly, a stand-up-bass-player just looks so-o-o-o-o cool. :-) :-) If the absence of frets bothers you, just do what the S-u-B player in my R&R band did, and paint some marks on the side of the neck at the appropriate points. Easy-Peasy. |
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