Baritone Guitar Question

[Johnny5]

I play a Les Paul tuned to drop B (B,Fsharp,B,E,Gsharp,Csharp) because of my singer's range. This means I have to use 56 - 12 gauge strings because it's so low. Even strings that thick don't seem to hold their tuning if I strum hard. They just seem too loose.

So.....I was considering buying a baritone in the hope that this would resolve the situation. I don't really want to consider a seven string cos they're too metal for the band I'm in. I want something a bit more wholesome sounding. What do baritone's sound like? I've heard they sound like a cross between a bass and a guitar. I'm not really after that. I just want a guitar that can hold its tuning in B. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

 

[glpg80]

25.5" is the normal soloing scale, i believe gibsons are 23.75.

baritones are anywhere from 27" to 30".

drop b is down there, way down there. anything down to C standard or drop C can be done on a 25.5" with the right setup and the right gauge strings.

as for the baritone tone, it will have a distinctional smoother range on the low end. alot more defined is a good way to put it i think - like what a bass has. so if thats not what you are going for, then i would recommend trying one first before you spring for one to make sure what you hear is the right direction you like.

as for the upper registers, the ones i have played are effortless in string tension vibrato. i LOVE the way a baritone plays but i never go below D standard myself: usually stay 9-46's Eb or 10-46's D standard - so i never plan to go that route.

 

[stephen sawall]

Maybe a heavier gauge is the way to go. Why not 62's or something. I am sure 56's on a LP tuned to B would be like you say.

I use 10 ~ 52 for standard tuning on my LP.

 

[glassjaw7]

I went through this exact same thing. BTW Gibson scale is 24.75

Most baritones I've played have felt very strange compared to "normal" guitars. And using even heavier strings is not the way to

go. I tried that with my LP and they just don't stay in tune, and the large strings ruin the nut.

Check out Schecter's baritone guitars. The scale is the shortest of any baritone (26.5) but is long enough to easily hold a low

tuning like drop-B or B standard without using massive strings.

 

[glpg80]

I went through this exact same thing. BTW Gibson scale is 24.75

Most baritones I've played have felt very strange compared to "normal" guitars. And using even heavier strings is not the way to

go. I tried that with my LP and they just don't stay in tune, and the large strings ruin the nut.

Check out Schecter's baritone guitars. The scale is the shortest of any baritone (26.5) but is long enough to easily hold a low

tuning like drop-B or B standard without using massive strings.

thanks

 

[shred-o-holic]

Depends on what you consider to be loose feeling really. I was big on 7's and baritones for a long time. These days a 25.5 with 12-56 hold B standard tuning for myself just fine. I've had a bunch of Schecter baritones, ESP/LTD......got rid of 'em all....

 

[glassjaw7]

These days a 25.5 with 12-56 hold B standard tuning for myself just fine.

This is true. I was replying to using an LP for the lower tunings. It doesn't work out so well unless you put locking tuners on, and even then the feel is just so sloppy. But a nice LTD/ESP/Schecter, etc...will hold the lower tunings with strings you mentioned.

When I checked out the Schecter baritone it had E.B. skinny top/heavy bottom strings tuned to drop-B and it felt perfect for me. Personally I don't like to tune a 25.5 scale lower than D standard or drop-C.

 

[K Odell]

I have my Charvel tuned to B standard with 12-56 strings and have no issues at all with tuning stability or intonation. I haven't tuned my les paul that low though so I can't call it.

 

[Johnny5]

My other guitarist uses an SG in drop B and his tension is so much better than mine. It just isn't working with a les Paul. I'm gonna try a set of heavier strings today and also some low boomers with the heavy core. Has anyone tried the Fender Jaguar Baritone HH?

I'll give the others a go but I don't think I'll get the tone I want out of ESP, LTD or Schecter. They sound too metal in comparison to a Les Paul.

Thanks for the help

 

[BradWilbanks]

Listen to Staind he uses a Baritone. I have his new SE model baritone from PRS and I absolutely love it for what I'm doing. I too am tuning to B because of our singers range, she just sounds better when we're a little lower. But if you dig PRS's I highly recommend this guitar as it's a entry level price but as good as the high dollar PRS's I've owned. Just my two cents.

 

[vchizzle]

Listen to Staind he uses a Baritone. I have his new SE model baritone from PRS and I absolutely love it for what I'm doing. I too am tuning to B because of our singers range, she just sounds better when we're a little lower. But if you dig PRS's I highly recommend this guitar as it's a entry level price but as good as the high dollar PRS's I've owned. Just my two cents.

This is a really nice guitar. I've played Jordon's and it felt pretty normal to me as I switch backed and forth between that and my PRS McCarty. I didn't find it uncomfortable at all.