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I played a Guitarron today!

Eilif

Eilif

Grooving under the MDW runway.
Oct 1, 2001
9,756
9,645
Chicago
#1
I stopped into a music store here in Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood, and got the chance to play a Guitarron. For those who don't know, the guitarron is a 6 string frettless short scale acoustic bass with a gigantic body usually used in Mariachi and Ranchera music.

The sound was pretty good though, and the thing was loud! Unlike even the nicest of the ABG's this thing could easily be heard playing with a couple of acoustic guitars.

I really want one now. The one I played was not terribly well made, and had what looked like a messy bridge reglue. The action was high, but not nearly as difficult to manage as I had heard folks say. I found it was no more difficult to play than my upright. It was $550 which seemed a bit much considering it's condition, but there are other beginner models online like the Lucida ( [This invalid link has been removed] )that start around $350. I'm strongly considering picking up a Lucida, to start with, and upgrading later if I like it. I think it could sound great for alot of the tunes my country band does, and would be alot easier to transport than my upright.

I've done some searches, and it's really hard to find much info about these instruments. Anybody have any reports about Guitarrons, the Lucida brand version, or related experiences?
 
#2
I'd like to have one too.

The only ones I have ever seen have been low to moderate quality. You know, cheap-looking woods. I'm sure better quality ones must exist though.

I've been to Mexico a few times several years ago, seen a couple for sale there. I saw one for around $180.00 IIRC, but that was years ago.
 
#4
Eilif said:
I stopped into a music store here in Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood, and got the chance to play a Guitarron. For those who don't know, the guitarron is a 6 string frettless short scale acoustic bass with a gigantic body usually used in Mariachi and Ranchera music.

The sound was pretty good though, and the thing was loud! Unlike even the nicest of the ABG's this thing could easily be heard playing with a couple of acoustic guitars.

I really want one now. The one I played was not terribly well made, and had what looked like a messy bridge reglue. The action was high, but not nearly as difficult to manage as I had heard folks say. I found it was no more difficult to play than my upright. It was $550 which seemed a bit much considering it's condition, but there are other beginner models online like the Lucida ( [This invalid link has been removed] )that start around $350. I'm strongly considering picking up a Lucida, to start with, and upgrading later if I like it. I think it could sound great for alot of the tunes my country band does, and would be alot easier to transport than my upright.

I've done some searches, and it's really hard to find much info about these instruments. Anybody have any reports about Guitarrons, the Lucida brand version, or related experiences?
Click to expand...

the one I played was in bad need of a truss rod, but the strings were so soft and squishy it didn't matter. I was amazed at how mid-rangy it was, but lovely light, fluffy sound.

Cool. My Taylor AB-1 kind of looks like an ultra-space age one, and people, surprisingly enough, often ask me if it is one.

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#7
Bassflute said:
the one I played was in bad need of a truss rod, but the strings were so soft and squishy it didn't matter. I was amazed at how mid-rangy it was, but lovely light, fluffy sound.

Cool. My Taylor AB-1 kind of looks like an ultra-space age one, and people, surprisingly enough, often ask me if it is one.

Cheers,
Cameron
Click to expand...

Was it a Lucida model? I get the feeling that Guitarron's never really have truely low action like a bass guitar, but as you say, the nylon strings make it pretty much a moot point. The no-name one I played at the shop had action like my doublebass, which is low for a double, but high for an electric.

What interests me about these asian built Lucidas, is, honestly the price and orderability. I've had pretty good luck with Asian instruments recently, and if it's a playable instrument, then I don't see how I can go wrong.

Darkstrike,
The usual tuning is A-D-G-C-E-A, with the A,D,G,C essentially the same tuning as the highest 4 strings on a 5 sting bass guitar, and the "highest" A being a larger diameter string tuned an octave lower than it's position would suggest.

There is one alternate tuning I have found, EADGBE. Here's a neat PDF with a comparison of the two.
Invalid Link Removed

The Labella set has all metal strings for the two lowest strings, and I'm not sure how much additional tension that would put on the bridge.
 
#8
andvari7 said:
I'll bet going down to Tijuana and coming back across the border with one isn't a smart idea. Sadly, it's precisely what I want to do.
Click to expand...

IDK about TJ but i have brought musical instruments back from matamoros to brownsville. And the customs guys were pretty cool about it. They actually took it in the office and checked it out cause its not marked termite "proof" but it wasnt a big deal. that was for mandolins FYI.
 
#9
El Kabong said:
IDK about TJ but i have brought musical instruments back from matamoros to brownsville. And the customs guys were pretty cool about it. They actually took it in the office and checked it out cause its not marked termite "proof" but it wasnt a big deal. that was for mandolins FYI.
Click to expand...

+1

I imagine it wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

And now I have another instrument to add to my list....;)
 
#11
I own one and have played it on several recordings. They are fun to play, but the strings aren't near the quality of electric bass strings, so they kind of tear your hands up. You only can really use maybe 2 positions, so the number of notes is limited. I've tried to emulate it using my upright or muting down my Fender, but nothing really matches it's sound.
 
#13
I already own a guitarron but I'm considering ordering one of those Lucidas for a backup.

Has anyone actually played one of those Lucida models?

I've searched the internet and there aren't any real reviews of them anywhere.

I guessing that they're a lttle rough but playable.

Anyone have a review for us?
 
#14
Eilif said:
The usual tuning is A-D-G-C-E-A, with the A,D,G,C essentially the same tuning as the highest 4 strings on a 5 sting bass guitar, and the "highest" A being a larger diameter string tuned an octave lower than it's position would suggest
Click to expand...

I think you meant 6 string. ;)


craigen said:
I own one and have played it on several recordings. They are fun to play, but the strings aren't near the quality of electric bass strings, so they kind of tear your hands up. You only can really use maybe 2 positions, so the number of notes is limited. I've tried to emulate it using my upright or muting down my Fender, but nothing really matches it's sound.
Click to expand...

How many note positions (ghost fretlines) per string does a guitarron has?



I never really considered a guitarron.
Although playing fretless is the must favourite thing for me, I'm actually GASsing for a traditional classic guitar.

What do you you guys (longing for a guitarron) actually want to play on that instrument?
It is a cool concept of an instrument though, I admit.
 
#16
Darkstrike said:
You could de-fret a classical guitar. Might sound sweet.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's a good idea...

*says the guy who posts the most wildest and craziests ideas around this forum* :D;)

I don't know about defretting (any) guitar. I heard some elctric guitarists have done it, but I never researched it.
A normal regular classical guitar, for some traditional classical music.

I might even be interested in a DB. Recentrly I've seen some (jazz) doubble bassist do things on a DB even some "Cliff Burton"-wannabees can't keep up with. ;):)
 
#17
C'thulhu said:
I don't think that's a good idea...

*says the guy who posts the most wildest and craziests ideas around this forum* :D;)

I don't know about defretting (any) guitar. I heard some elctric guitarists have done it, but I never researched it.
A normal regular classical guitar, for some traditional classical music.

I might even be interested in a DB. Recentrly I've seen some (jazz) doubble bassist do things on a DB even some "Cliff Burton"-wannabees can't keep up with. ;):)
Click to expand...

Just throwin' idea's out there!:D
A DB would be cool too, I saw a black one with white piping it Thomann for e500, gas!

Fretless Guitar!
 

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