what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

[Thor Von Clemson]

I am not sure if this is the right place, but here goes...

I am wondering what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar? What specs does it have that make it different than a regular guitar? I know the scale is usually different, but what are some other factors that make it different?

Thanks,

GMS

[sully]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

longer scale, thicker strings, lower tuning.

[Thor Von Clemson]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

maybe I should rephrase my question...


There is a topic about favorite strings in the general talk section. In said topic, some members are talking about how baritones sound much better for low tuned stuff than "regular" guitars do.

I guess I am wondering if scale length really makes that big of a difference in tone, or if there are not other factors that make a baritone sound more heavy than a regular guitar. As far as I know, scale mainly has to do with the length and not so much tone..

That leaves pickups, type of wood, and string gauge right?. Now I could buy a "regular" guitar with the exact same specs in the three categories, tune it down to B standard (everything down a 5th I think) with the same size strings as a baritone, and according to my personal experience and the testimonies of some members here the baritone would sound more heavy.. I guess I am wondering why that is?

[Niccolai]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

The length doesn't effect the tone directly, no, but since the scale length is longer, the strings are longer, and longer strings means more string tension and more string tension means you can tune lower (like a or b)without having floppy strings.

[Thor Von Clemson]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

really? so that extra 1-1.5 inches makes that big a difference eh?

I suppose that is why it would be difficult to tune a baritone guitar up much more past b (I have no idea why you would want to, I have just noticed that if I try to tune up past b a little, the tension is pretty high).

[Niccolai]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

the extra 1.5 inches plus the thicker strings make all the difference in the world.

With thinner strings you could probably tune up as high as D standard safely

[charvelguy]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

Usually the scale length is 26 1/8 or 26.5, sometimes 27".
The scale length is for thicker strings which are usually used for a much heavier sound, creating a deeper, more resonating sound..they also have a greater amount of tension on the neck but being detuned as you know will create a pretty floppy sound on a std scale...so as mentioned... a heavier string along with the longer scale balances all this out.

Some guys tune to B, C, C#.
You can use a std 25.5 scale guitar, EVH did to E flat and D but still used light strings.

Baritone electrics have been around for some time, Fender had a production model in the 60's I believe.

I use a Schecter EX..it plays ok in std tuning as well..just takes a little getting used to as the fret spacing is wider.

[Thor Von Clemson]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

I may be joining a local band that tunes to b, and I have been playing my lynch baritone a lot anyways... I figured I would ask some questions about it. I would rather have a 7 string, but the baritone will have to do until june when I can either a) convince my fiance to buy me a new guitar for a wedding gift or b) buy myself one.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I am thinking a schecter c-7 blackjack will do.. either that or any non floyd'd guitar with two hums. I would be all over the COW jackson dinky, but it only has one hum. Ideally, I would like another esp f-series 7 string with no floyd and two hums, however I am not sure if they make one...

At the risk of hijacking my own thread, are there any other 7 strings that come to mind when I mention those specs?

[charvelguy]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

I'm sure ESP does make a 7 hardtail. Ibanez is another I would consider...altho..I do not know the models with a hardtail. Are you looking for a trapeze bridge w/a stop tailpiece or a Fender style hardtail?
Washburn has a 7 which is on sale at music123 that looks rather promising, much like a strat style BC Rich...I believe it was a hardtail and rather in a reasonable 200-250 range budget.

Otehrwise, Schecter has a good amount of 7's to choose from and many styles came non-floyded.

[skarhead]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

[ QUOTE ]
The length doesn't effect the tone directly

[/ QUOTE ]

I may be wrong but iirc from testing guitars of my friends longer scale tends to sound brighter (checked on i.e. a 25.5" scale les paul [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

[Niccolai]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

I didn't know that, I would think the brightness would come more from the cut of wood than the scale, but it could definately be true though.

[TruckerDave]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar?

ESP makes 3 Seven stringed guitars right now
the viper 407: mahogany body, set maple neck(25.5), TOM Bridge, EMG 81-7 & 707
And 2 Stephen Carpenter signature models
one is a baritone model and one is a standard scale model
they both feature: 81-7 pickups, maple neck thru, TOM w/ string thru body, and maple body
the baritone version is available with a mahogany body if you choose to go with the Natural Gloss version

I've heard soundsamples on Jemsite of one dude comparing an Ibanez RG7620 w/ EMG 707 with a SC607B NG (natural gloss version)The ESP eats the Ibanez alive
much more clear & articulate tone
The Ibanez sounded very muddy compared to the baritone

[aldog1330]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar

Baritone guitars also tend to intonate better when tuning down low, though it is not always the case. And, due to obvious reasons, the fret spacing is different, which may or may not be a problem for you, especially if you are looking to snag a 7 string.

[Ace]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar

Baritone guitars are MUCH cooler than 7 string guitars...

[Izegrim]

Re: what makes a baritone guitar a baritone guitar

I don't care for 7 strings anyway. They feel awkward to me. And I'm used to play 25,5" guitars in B since I started so I'm comfortable with all the cons.