mexican "vozarrona" or "león"

[tambourine]

I haven't decided yet which will be my first bass instrument.

What do you think about this folk bass guitar, called "vozarrona" or "león":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzh7dmkH5Hs

As you could see, Mexican león (plucked with a pick) is different from Mexican guitarrón.


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[LoTone]

It looks like the dude's bass is made out of adobe clay...

I never seen a guy play up in the upper register with so little treble. This thing must be like a gigantic subterranean mudbucker!

[JimmyM]

Looks interesting, but it would have been better if I could have actually heard it.

[leona1]

this instrument comes from the son jarocho tradition from Veracruz, Mexico. La Bamba (Ritchie Valens - Los Lobos) is the prime example of this music. check out groups like Son De Madera, Mono Blanco, Chuchunbe, Cesar Castro on youtube. the leona is carved from a solid block of cedar and fingerboard, soundboard top and tuners added once body is complete.no trussrod in the neck!I collect and play these instruments. will try to post some pics soon. never thought to see the word "LEONA" here on talkbass. also, look up Laura Rebolloso on youtube. she is one the the best leona players in the tradition right now.

[bassguitarthund]

Subscribed out of curiosity

[ntenny]

I don't know if it was the instrument or the recording, but it seemed like the sound didn't have much pitch information---almost a percussion instrument. It's an interesting instrument but I wonder how adaptable it is to styles other than the one in which it was born.

Certainly very different from the guitarron. I found a three-part article at http://www.cincinnatiearlymusic.com/jarana.html that discusses the instrument and its construction. Interesting stuff; thanks for bringing up the topic!

-NT

[Munjibunga]

Hmmm ... seven-fret neck and strung upside down. Might take some getting-used-to. I like the "rustic" fit and finish.

Here's another clip. Jump to 4:35 for best results.

[tambourine]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Looks interesting, but it would have been better if I could have actually heard it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-nivvo9GkE

Can you hear it...

[JimmyM]

Yeah, I heard that! Sounds killer.

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by tambourine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-nivvo9GkE

Can you hear it...

Very nice..is background real birds?

[ntenny]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Hmmm ... seven-fret neck and strung upside down. Might take some getting-used-to.

Is it really strung upside down, or is it just like the guitarron where the first string is dropped an octave? Looking at the clip you posted, I got the latter impression.

Now that I've heard the additional clips, I definitely want one. Maybe two or three in different sizes. Who's up for placing a group order to a luthier in Veracruz? :-)

-NT

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by ntenny

Is it really strung upside down, or is it just like the guitarron where the first string is dropped an octave? Looking at the clip you posted, I got the latter impression.

Now that I've heard the additional clips, I definitely want one. Maybe two or three in different sizes. Who's up for placing a group order to a luthier in Veracruz? :-)

-NT

You can have my place in line.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by ntenny

Is it really strung upside down, or is it just like the guitarron where the first string is dropped an octave? Looking at the clip you posted, I got the latter impression.

Now that I've heard the additional clips, I definitely want one. Maybe two or three in different sizes. Who's up for placing a group order to a luthier in Veracruz? :-)

-NT

Watch the guy in the clip. Look at the oil staining on the fretboard. He's using only two strings. I'll bet he's considered a virtuoso, too.

[ILLINOX]

tambourine, where are you in Mexico. There is a very good builder in Merida, Yuc you could get in touch with