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Squire Telebass or Guitarron

Which bass should I purchase next?

  • Lucida Guitarron

    Votes: 37 45.7%

  • Squire Telebass

    Votes: 44 54.3%
  • Total voters
    81
Eilif

Eilif

Grooving under the MDW runway.
Oct 1, 2001
9,756
9,645
Chicago
#1
Ok,
I've picked up some sidejobs and made a bit of extra $. I've narrowed my choices down to two instruments

Squire Telebass
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or
Lucida Guitarron
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In favor of the Telebass:
-Fulfillment of a long obsession with 70's Humbucker telebasses.
-I've played one and liked it
-$250 shipped if ordered online
-Would have immidiate use in my Country band

In favor of the Guitaron
-I don't have an ABG yet
-Great way to jam with family without amplification and actually be heard over guitarrists
-Chance to learn a new kind of bass instrument
-$330 shipped online
-I absolutely love the Guitarron sound/tone
-Alot easier to transport than my upright bass.

Against the Telebass
-I already have a T-40 that does the telebass bucker thing well.
-I've been weeding out most of my "lower end" instruments. Do I need another "cheap" electric bass?

Against the Guitarron
-more expensive
-Would not have immidiate use (unless I install a pickup) in my current country band
-I have played a Guitarron, but not specifically the "Lucida" brand.

Help!! I'm looking for advice and insight as well as votes.
 
#5
I voted Squier, simply for practical reasons. IMO, you'll get more use out of the Squier as opposed to the Guitarron.

Granted, it'd be fun to have (wouldn't mind one myself), but even if you installed a decent pickup (which would mean spending even more money) how often would you honestly play the thing on a gig? A song? Two? Three, possibly?
 
#7
Buskman,
Guitaron and pickup and live use:
I already have a K&K 4 point transducer pickup that's a bit lively for my upright (I prefer the sound of a single transducer sandwhiched in the bridge) that I could install in the Guitarron as well as an external K&K preamp.

However it's true that even with a pickup, it would probably only be capable of covering perhaps 25-33% of the songs in the set. Just the older style country songs with thumpy upright tone.

Siegy
Guitarron vs ABG
I look at ABG's as an acoustic instrument first, and electric instrument second. I've played just about every standard brand (Tacoma, Martin, etc) ABG out there, and while there are a few with good tone, the Tacoma Thunderchief is the only one that I ever felt had good enough projection to warrant my attention. The poor quality Guitarron I played last week had a much better projection the Tacoma, and an acoustic tone that I preferred! Though it must be mentioned that the Guitarron would not have the crisp articulation of the Thunderchief that many folks would prefer.
 
#10
manicbassman said:
I went slightly mad the other day and bought a Ukulele
Click to expand...

Ukulele... Is that the name for the really small ABG that I see in the corner of GC every so often? ;)

It had 4 strings....

Actually I keep telling my wife that I am going to buy one. On a whim, we worked out the harmonies for song from "The Jerk" (the beach campfire scene) and they give you the ukulele chord shapes for it on the DVD.
 
#14
Guitarron is cool, but VERY different from traditional bass playing. You "pluck" two strings at a time, a bass and octave note. Since you said you've played one, I guess you know that already. But it is really best for root and 5th type playing, in Mexican mariachi groups, it is used for polkas, waltzes, boleros, that type of music. Still, it is different and a cool instrument if you can master it.
 
#15
ABG + Acoustic Bass Guitar

Update:
I did pick up the SVT 215, but I am still leaning toward picking up a Guitarron soon. I've seen some Mariachi Guitarron players, and my technique is very poor, but even my poor technique brings out a massive tone. If I get one, I will definately be trying to learn at least the basics of proper mariachi style technique.
 
#16
Though traditional technique involves "octave" playing, single note playing works quite well on a guitarron, especially in a bluegrass, country, or folk setting.

I've played rockabilly, reggae, and even jazz with mine.
 
#17
tombowlus said:
FWIW, I am reviewing the Squier VM Tele Precision in our first issue of Bass Gear Magazine, and that sucker really impressed me. In, fact, I liked it so much, I bought the test bass. :D

Tom.
Click to expand...

Tom... is your review on line we could read?
Had severe gas for that bass a while ago until I saw the '51 Classic Vibe Precision... will you be reviewing that too?

Sorry... off topic.

Carry on.
 
#19
bh2 said:
Tom... is your review on line we could read?
Click to expand...

You can check out an early version of this review at our main page, www.bassgearmag.com. But, a new and improved Squier review (along with 11 other product reviews and a bunch of other goodies) should be out very shortly. :D

Tom.
 
#20
I'd be very surprised if you could buy a Guitarron worth having for the ~$300 you mention.
And, as noted, they're meant to be played differently than yer "regular bass."
 

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