A baritone guitar is a type of guitar that is tuned lower than a standard guitar. It is commonly used in genres such as metal, surf rock, and jazz. The baritone guitar has a longer scale length than a standard guitar, which allows for the lower tuning. In this article, we will explore what a baritone guitar is, who uses them, and what they are used for.
What is a Baritone Guitar?
A baritone guitar is a type of guitar that has a longer scale length than a standard guitar. The longer scale length allows for the lower tuning of the instrument. While standard guitars are typically tuned to E, A, D, G, B, E, baritone guitars are often tuned to B, E, A, D, F#, B. The lower tuning gives the instrument a deeper and darker sound than a standard guitar.
Who Uses Baritone Guitars?
Baritone guitars are commonly used in genres such as metal, surf rock, and jazz. They are often used as a rhythm instrument, providing a deep and powerful foundation for the music. Some famous guitarists who have used baritone guitars include Jimi Hendrix, Duane Eddy, Dick Dale, and Robert Smith of The Cure.
What are Baritone Guitars Used For?
Baritone guitars are used for a variety of purposes in music. They are often used as a rhythm instrument, providing a deep and powerful foundation for the music. They can also be used as a lead instrument, providing a unique and distinctive sound. Baritone guitars are also used in studio recordings to add depth and texture to a song.
Baritone guitars are especially popular in metal music, where they are often used to create a heavy and intense sound. They are also used in surf rock music, where they provide a unique and distinctive sound. In jazz music, baritone guitars are often used to add depth and texture to a song, and they are used as both lead and rhythm instruments.
Who Makes Baritone Guitars?
Many guitar manufacturers produce baritone guitars, including Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and Gretsch. These guitars range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the instrument.
Some popular models of baritone guitars include the Fender Telecaster Baritone, the Gibson SG Baritone, and the Ibanez RGIB21. These guitars are often used by professional musicians and are highly regarded for their sound and playability.
In addition to standard electric baritone guitars, there are also acoustic baritone guitars available. These guitars have a similar construction to standard acoustic guitars but are designed to be tuned lower. Some popular models of acoustic baritone guitars include the Martin B-28, the Gibson B-25, and the Taylor 326e Baritone-8.
Baritone guitars have become increasingly popular in modern music, particularly in genres such as metal, rock, and jazz. The guitar’s deep, resonant tone offers a unique sound that stands out from other instruments in a band’s mix.
One notable manufacturer of baritone guitars is Ibanez, which offers several different models at varying price points. Their RGIB6 model, for example, features a solid mahogany body, a five-piece maple/walnut neck, and DiMarzio pickups. The guitar also comes equipped with a Gibraltar Standard II bridge, which offers superior intonation and tuning stability.
Another manufacturer of note is Schecter, whose Hellraiser C-8 model offers eight strings and an extended 28-inch scale length. This guitar is designed for heavy metal players, with a mahogany body, active EMG 808 pickups, and a three-piece mahogany neck.
Baritone guitars are also used by a variety of well-known musicians. For example, James Hetfield of Metallica has been known to use a baritone guitar on occasion, as has Dan Briggs of the progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me.
When it comes to playing a baritone guitar, there are a few important differences to note. Due to the longer scale length and lower tuning, it can take some adjustment to get used to playing the instrument. However, once a player has become accustomed to the baritone guitar’s unique feel and sound, it can open up new possibilities for creating music.
In terms of tuning, baritone guitars are often tuned lower than a standard guitar, with the most common tuning being B to B (a perfect fifth below standard tuning). However, some players choose to tune even lower, such as A to A or G to G.
Baritone guitars offer a unique sound that has become increasingly popular in modern music. They are used by a variety of well-known musicians, and are manufactured by several notable companies such as Ibanez and Schecter. While they can take some adjustment to get used to, baritone guitars can open up new possibilities for creating music and offer a deep, resonant tone that stands out in a band’s mix.
