Baritone guitars - please school me!
- Thread starter Will S-T
- Start date
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
baritone guitars and drop-tuning are excellent. the baritone jag my sister has is the ultimate songwriting guitar.
baritone teles do it all. build one.
baritone guitars and drop-tuning are excellent. the baritone jag my sister has is the ultimate songwriting guitar.
baritone teles do it all. build one.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Interesting that you bring this up Will .... since hearing Harry's (Petrovsk Mizinski) 7-string, and then reading about the new Danelectro 'Dead On 67' baritone, i've been thinking how a baritone might be useful for me. I like to write stuff that is of a deep and dark nature, often kinda keyboard-like. I'm also thinking that a baritone would make a great MIDI guitar, as it's not often i need to be able to get to the high registers of the guitar when using MIDI sounds, but more versatility in the lower registers would be fantastic for piano, organ and cello sounds.
A baritone Tele would be great. Hardtail bridge would no doubt make for good tuning stability, and the instrument would be straightforward and solid, just like a regular Tele. I know the younger guys use the extra depth for sheer riffing power and probably use humbuckers, but i'm inclined to think for us old farts, good single coils would make for a great clean sound on those low notes (but as yet, i have no personal experience either way).
Looking forward to seeing what others may be able to tell us here about this subject......
cheers, neiL.
Interesting that you bring this up Will .... since hearing Harry's (Petrovsk Mizinski) 7-string, and then reading about the new Danelectro 'Dead On 67' baritone, i've been thinking how a baritone might be useful for me. I like to write stuff that is of a deep and dark nature, often kinda keyboard-like. I'm also thinking that a baritone would make a great MIDI guitar, as it's not often i need to be able to get to the high registers of the guitar when using MIDI sounds, but more versatility in the lower registers would be fantastic for piano, organ and cello sounds.
A baritone Tele would be great. Hardtail bridge would no doubt make for good tuning stability, and the instrument would be straightforward and solid, just like a regular Tele. I know the younger guys use the extra depth for sheer riffing power and probably use humbuckers, but i'm inclined to think for us old farts, good single coils would make for a great clean sound on those low notes (but as yet, i have no personal experience either way).
Looking forward to seeing what others may be able to tell us here about this subject......
cheers, neiL.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Hmm...I've heard Bari's used in everything from Country to Jazz to Pop to Metal and Rock so I'd have to say that you are only limited by your imagination...
Scale length is really hard to nail down...anything longer than a standard guitar and shorter than an electric bass could be considered baritone...this leaves anything between 25.5 and 30 inches (some might even go as far as 34 inches!) however the typical bari seems to be centered somewhere around 28 inchs give or take a half inch or so.
The tuning relly depends on 2 things...the strings being used and the scale in question...
A shorter bari, say around 27 inches or so with fairly light (for a bari) strings can be tunes as high as say C...this is only 2 steps below a guitar but wiht the heavier (than a standard guitar) strings and the longer (than a standard guitar) scale it has a much deeper more punchy sound that simply detuning a guitar won't give.
Now, a longer bari (say 30 inches) and heavier strings can be taken down as far as low E to E like the Fender Bass VI...this is really a bass interms of it's range but because it is not as deep sounding as say a typical 4 string bass and because it has the higher notes (due to the 2 extra strings) it is often considered a bari as well but in true terms it really kind of bluring the lines.
As a general rule bari's tend to be around 28 inches and tuned either A to A or B to B.
When used in a tasteful way they can really fill out a mix in a way that another guitar track simply can't.
Here is a (not so good) short clip or a C to C bari wiht a 26.5 inch scale...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k4nZDqGKbQ&feature=related
Here is another (again, not so good!) clips of a Dano bari tuned B to B.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKa-QbnnILE
If you want to hear a Bari that goes all the way to E to E listen to Aerosmith Back in the saddle...on that track Joe played a mid 60's Fender Bass VI...adds a lot of weight to the track!
Maybe this gives you guys a few ideas...
Hmm...I've heard Bari's used in everything from Country to Jazz to Pop to Metal and Rock so I'd have to say that you are only limited by your imagination...
Scale length is really hard to nail down...anything longer than a standard guitar and shorter than an electric bass could be considered baritone...this leaves anything between 25.5 and 30 inches (some might even go as far as 34 inches!) however the typical bari seems to be centered somewhere around 28 inchs give or take a half inch or so.
The tuning relly depends on 2 things...the strings being used and the scale in question...
A shorter bari, say around 27 inches or so with fairly light (for a bari) strings can be tunes as high as say C...this is only 2 steps below a guitar but wiht the heavier (than a standard guitar) strings and the longer (than a standard guitar) scale it has a much deeper more punchy sound that simply detuning a guitar won't give.
Now, a longer bari (say 30 inches) and heavier strings can be taken down as far as low E to E like the Fender Bass VI...this is really a bass interms of it's range but because it is not as deep sounding as say a typical 4 string bass and because it has the higher notes (due to the 2 extra strings) it is often considered a bari as well but in true terms it really kind of bluring the lines.
As a general rule bari's tend to be around 28 inches and tuned either A to A or B to B.
When used in a tasteful way they can really fill out a mix in a way that another guitar track simply can't.
Here is a (not so good) short clip or a C to C bari wiht a 26.5 inch scale...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k4nZDqGKbQ&feature=related
Here is another (again, not so good!) clips of a Dano bari tuned B to B.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKa-QbnnILE
If you want to hear a Bari that goes all the way to E to E listen to Aerosmith Back in the saddle...on that track Joe played a mid 60's Fender Bass VI...adds a lot of weight to the track!
Maybe this gives you guys a few ideas...
Sporky McGuffin
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
I have two and am about to build another.
Already have: Ibanez RG570 with a 26.5" conversion neck. Tuned D-D on quite heavy strings. Just gives it a bit more clarity and oomph.
Already have: Ibanez MMM1 - 28" neckthru, massive bridge. Really nice, currently has Q-Tuners in it. Really punchy and clear, almost piano like.
About to build: JM-shaped 27" 7-string. With a Sustainiac.
I have two and am about to build another.
Already have: Ibanez RG570 with a 26.5" conversion neck. Tuned D-D on quite heavy strings. Just gives it a bit more clarity and oomph.
Already have: Ibanez MMM1 - 28" neckthru, massive bridge. Really nice, currently has Q-Tuners in it. Really punchy and clear, almost piano like.
About to build: JM-shaped 27" 7-string. With a Sustainiac.
Philcguitars
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
I'm considering one. I know that Lyndsey Buckingham uses them, and there are a few songs I'd like to cover with my mates, that I need to take down beyond normal tuning down. I thought a Bari' may be my answer. I think you should go for it. I've even been considering a Bari' 12-string!
I'm considering one. I know that Lyndsey Buckingham uses them, and there are a few songs I'd like to cover with my mates, that I need to take down beyond normal tuning down. I thought a Bari' may be my answer. I think you should go for it. I've even been considering a Bari' 12-string!
baritone
Well-known member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
My baritone has a 27.75" scale, and I keep it in B-standard tuning with 15-60 gauge strings. Any style of music can be played; it's just a matter of preference. When I first got my baritone, my interest was in being unique, rather than being "heavy". It is a really fun instrument. Whatever I play, I match the key of the original song, but I change up the fingerings. I play mostly '90s rock. So if I am playing a Soundgarden song in which they use an alternate tuning, I stay in B-standard and finger it differently. This guitar is set up with a Dimebucker/Jazz
combination, but that is just my preference. Pickups can just be chosen based on your preferences, just like any guitar. I got so into playing with B-standard tuning that I tune all my guitars that way now. For each guitar, I select string gauges to produce similar tension regardless of scale length. That way, my guitars don't feel too different from each other, although they have scales ranging from 24.75" to 27.75".
My baritone has a 27.75" scale, and I keep it in B-standard tuning with 15-60 gauge strings. Any style of music can be played; it's just a matter of preference. When I first got my baritone, my interest was in being unique, rather than being "heavy". It is a really fun instrument. Whatever I play, I match the key of the original song, but I change up the fingerings. I play mostly '90s rock. So if I am playing a Soundgarden song in which they use an alternate tuning, I stay in B-standard and finger it differently. This guitar is set up with a Dimebucker/Jazz
combination, but that is just my preference. Pickups can just be chosen based on your preferences, just like any guitar. I got so into playing with B-standard tuning that I tune all my guitars that way now. For each guitar, I select string gauges to produce similar tension regardless of scale length. That way, my guitars don't feel too different from each other, although they have scales ranging from 24.75" to 27.75".
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Guys . . . what sounds 'better' to YOUR ears ?
A S/C Bari, like a Dano, or a humbucker bari, say like a Jaguar HH baritone ?
Just curious what you think sounds best at that scale length.
James
Guys . . . what sounds 'better' to YOUR ears ?
A S/C Bari, like a Dano, or a humbucker bari, say like a Jaguar HH baritone ?
Just curious what you think sounds best at that scale length.
James
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
The MMM1 is the only baritone i have ever played, then fitted w. DiMarzio Evo's. (beautifull guitar!)
Probably not the best baritone pu's.
James
The MMM1 is the only baritone i have ever played, then fitted w. DiMarzio Evo's. (beautifull guitar!)
Probably not the best baritone pu's.
James
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
I by far prefer singles...makes those LOW notes twang and keeps things articulate...
I by far prefer singles...makes those LOW notes twang and keeps things articulate...
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Set ups like that are generally set up more for guitar players that just tune way low and less for traditional baritone style playing and tone...
Set ups like that are generally set up more for guitar players that just tune way low and less for traditional baritone style playing and tone...
SlowGroove
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Understood - i just thought the Evo's had too much treb/hi mids in them.
James
Understood - i just thought the Evo's had too much treb/hi mids in them.
James
Will S-T
New member
Last edited:
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
With a 25.5 inch scale, you can comfortably get down to A but it's possible to tune a 25.5 inch scale guitar to F# given you slap something like at least a 72 gauge on the lowest string. I've had my 7 string tuned to A flat before, with the low B string rocking a 64 gauge to give you an idea. Any lower than A flat and I wasn't liking tension at all.
27 inches gets you to F#.
So really, if you wanted to, for F# on a 27.78 inch scale, starting with 16 at your high G string, 24 for the D, 32 for the A, 42 for the E, 54 or 56 for the B and something between 68 and 74 (as much as 80 if you so desire) for your low F#.
The tension might be nicer on the 28.58 inch scale though, and might sound better at that tuning.
Bear in mind it's a ***** to find strings with those kinda gauges needed for low F# though, which is the big reason why I'm put off from buying an 8 string:laugh2:
That somehow I think you're not gonna go for a tuning that low anyway, but it's a suggestion and food for thought.
IIRC going to something like 27.7 is like going up 2 string gauges in tension, so you could probably tune to C# standard with bog standard 9-42 strings, or maybe 9-46.
I'd say, tune the 27.7 incher to B standard, and put 12-54s on there.
The added benefit is that you can play along with my low tuned riffs on my 7 string now:laugh2:
28.58 incher, go for A standard me thinks, maybe 13-16 or 12-54 strings, which are easy to find.
With a 25.5 inch scale, you can comfortably get down to A but it's possible to tune a 25.5 inch scale guitar to F# given you slap something like at least a 72 gauge on the lowest string. I've had my 7 string tuned to A flat before, with the low B string rocking a 64 gauge to give you an idea. Any lower than A flat and I wasn't liking tension at all.
27 inches gets you to F#.
So really, if you wanted to, for F# on a 27.78 inch scale, starting with 16 at your high G string, 24 for the D, 32 for the A, 42 for the E, 54 or 56 for the B and something between 68 and 74 (as much as 80 if you so desire) for your low F#.
The tension might be nicer on the 28.58 inch scale though, and might sound better at that tuning.
Bear in mind it's a ***** to find strings with those kinda gauges needed for low F# though, which is the big reason why I'm put off from buying an 8 string:laugh2:
That somehow I think you're not gonna go for a tuning that low anyway, but it's a suggestion and food for thought.
IIRC going to something like 27.7 is like going up 2 string gauges in tension, so you could probably tune to C# standard with bog standard 9-42 strings, or maybe 9-46.
I'd say, tune the 27.7 incher to B standard, and put 12-54s on there.
The added benefit is that you can play along with my low tuned riffs on my 7 string now:laugh2:
28.58 incher, go for A standard me thinks, maybe 13-16 or 12-54 strings, which are easy to find.
Sporky McGuffin
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Depends what you're going for - I like baritones for the rich, deep, clear sound they can produce. If you're after low-down filth then something without too much bass would make sense.
On the Allparts you could probably use a 10 top but then heavier bottom than you'd normally get in such a set and get fairly low. The Warmoth would let you use lighter strings or tune lower. I think I'd find the Warmoth too long - the 28" scale of the MMM1 is a stretch lower down, making it another half an inch longer doesn't sound like a good plan to me.
Depends what you're going for - I like baritones for the rich, deep, clear sound they can produce. If you're after low-down filth then something without too much bass would make sense.
On the Allparts you could probably use a 10 top but then heavier bottom than you'd normally get in such a set and get fairly low. The Warmoth would let you use lighter strings or tune lower. I think I'd find the Warmoth too long - the 28" scale of the MMM1 is a stretch lower down, making it another half an inch longer doesn't sound like a good plan to me.
Will S-T
New member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Fingereing aint a problem however string tension is, i'd like it pretty high,
it's not as if I'll be doing any huge bends though the longer string length should accomodate that.
Playing a short scale 30" base is easy, I really just want the extra strings so if feels like a guitar.
Cheers and thanks!
Fingereing aint a problem however string tension is, i'd like it pretty high,
it's not as if I'll be doing any huge bends though the longer string length should accomodate that.
Playing a short scale 30" base is easy, I really just want the extra strings so if feels like a guitar.
Cheers and thanks!
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Hm, I'd rather go for a baritone acoustic meself. Though they're not something you can buy from your regular manufacturer, there are a number of luthiers like Beneteau, Manzer, Greenfield etc. who build them.
This is kind of what they sound like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSnWhsmlGec.
Spanking Greenfield - maple, spruce, mahogany, ebony combo :eyecrazy:.
Hm, I'd rather go for a baritone acoustic meself. Though they're not something you can buy from your regular manufacturer, there are a number of luthiers like Beneteau, Manzer, Greenfield etc. who build them.
This is kind of what they sound like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSnWhsmlGec.
Spanking Greenfield - maple, spruce, mahogany, ebony combo :eyecrazy:.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Baritone guitars - please school me!
Holy crap. If that was my name, I'd change it! :eyecrazy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz
Holy crap. If that was my name, I'd change it! :eyecrazy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz
Similar threads
