mariachi bass

bassbo · #1 11-12-2011, 08:29 PM

I have Mariachi bass that was given to me. It needs work, but it's a beautiful, hand made instrument. I would like to eventually put some lighter gauge, flat wound strings on it and a pickup. Any recommendations on the strings?

FunkMetalBass · #2 11-13-2011, 10:02 AM

When you say "mariachi bass", are you referring to a guitarron, or is this some sort of brand?

JimmyM · #3 11-13-2011, 01:03 PM

If it's a guitarron, you should only use guitarron strings.

bassbo · #4 11-13-2011, 08:39 PM

well, I guess it's a guitarron, however it only has four strings and is tuned like a bass. It's somewhat unplayable, so I'm in the process of rebuilding it. I trimmed an ebony fingerboard I saved when I had one replaced on my Framus EUB so it will become fret-less. I gotta do something with the bridge, not sure what just yet. I think it's going to come out nice. I bought it in an estate sale some time ago. Now I needa hat

vin*tone · #5 11-14-2011, 04:28 AM

I call photo on this one.

Zooberwerx · #6 11-14-2011, 04:52 AM

Favorite mariachi song:

"One-ton-tomato....I'll eat a one-ton-tomato...

......One-ton-tomaaaaaaaato!"

Thanks to Mike Nesmith for that one.

Riis

FunkMetalBass · #7 11-14-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbo

well, I guess it's a guitarron, however it only has four strings and is tuned like a bass. It's somewhat unplayable, so I'm in the process of rebuilding it. I trimmed an ebony fingerboard I saved when I had one replaced on my Framus EUB so it will become fret-less. I gotta do something with the bridge, not sure what just yet. I think it's going to come out nice. I bought it in an estate sale some time ago. Now I needa hat

I thought guitarrones had 6 strings and were already fretless.

I too, would like a pic.

bassbo · #8 11-14-2011, 08:21 PM

Here are a few pictures of my project. The neck and tuning head seem original. The bridge is a bit confusing though. There were four string instruments but I don't know if they were fretted, and I can't seem to find any pictures, or tuning specs.
Untitled Document

anyways, here she be

Original rosewood fingerboard

replacement ebony fingerboard from a cut down Framus EUB fingerboard that was changed because of warping problems.

funky bridge that I'd rather not pull from. Tail came with it.

Another picture of the two fingerboards

I'll refinish it after a repairing a few splits. I like an unfinished, highly polished neck. I don't want to unseat the bridge, just build something on the base. Need a decent pickup. I want to play this baby.

Thanks for the response.
Steve

FunkMetalBass · #9 11-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Wow. I've never seen anything like that before. The bridge screams "I used to have 6 strings", and the body size definitely matches up with the guitarron. But there's no doubt that the headstock has never been modified, and the neck looks to be original as well. I've never seen a 4-string guitarron. Maybe someone else can chime in on this instrument.

I wouldn't trust the tension from metals strings on that thing, so you'll want to use nylon or gut strings of some sort. Since they aren't ferrous, a magnetic pickup wont work. You're basically limited to some sort of transducer, and those are typically done under the bridge. IMO, if you felt at home replacing a fingerboard, the bridge should be cake. The filings look very sloppy, so I'd consider that even another reason to redo the bridge.

Should be a fun instrument. I can't wait to see more.

bassbo · #10 11-14-2011, 09:04 PM

The closer I look at these pictures, the more I think the four holes through the bridge directly under the four notches were indeed the original holes. They are angled down towards the tail end 23 degrees or so, so the strings were pulling from the base of the bridge. Glad you like it. I didn't really want to turn it into a sail boat for my grand daughter, even though that's what she thinks it should be.

vin*tone · #11 11-15-2011, 01:09 PM

You could try an ehrlund mic pickup.

**twocargar** · #12 11-15-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Favorite mariachi song:

"One-ton-tomato....I'll eat a one-ton-tomato...

......One-ton-tomaaaaaaaato!"

Thanks to Mike Nesmith for that one.

Riis

Awesome! Growing up in San Diego, and now living on the East Coast, I've wanted to do some kind of mariachi project.

Your guitarron looks cool! Keep us posted, güey!

mccartneyman · #13 11-16-2011, 07:30 PM

Guitarrons are designed for six strings. Find them here:
La Bella Guitarrone Metal, GUI

You will find the strings and the technique radically different from electric or even upright bass.

bassbo · #14 11-16-2011, 09:00 PM

Yeah. The tuning is A D G C. I'd like to find some gut strings

bassbo · #15 11-21-2011, 05:31 AM

This thing was definitely originally a six string. The neck and fingerboard are not the original. After going inside with a light and mirror, I found the brace under under the bridge unattached in several places along with some others. Re attachment should help correct the wavy top. In the process of carving a new bridge that will mount on whats left of the original one. The fingerboard will be flat and will stop at the top of the guitarron. I'll ditch that ugly tailpiece. Ain't gonna replace the neck, so I'll keep it a four string. It will be a great conversation piece, and will hopefully be very playable with a decent sound. I'm not settled on the strings yet, but I don't want round wound. I've seen too much damage done to fretless fingerboards.