Let's talk about baritones

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:52 pm

Yeah, I think the two Squier options are probably the best bets.

The trem probably isn't a deal breaker. My aesthetic issues with the all black Squier Jazzmaster are more to do with the black hardware than the body, so fixable.

I'm shit at making decisions though so expect me to still be weighing up my options in 2019.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:21 pm

Not really what this thread is about, but I had a go on a student's one of these today. Brilliant fun and I think they were a bit surprised that yes, I could djent.

http://www.ibanez.com/products/eg_detai ... color=CL01

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 11:13 pm

I just put 13-64 gauge strings (middle 6 from an ernie ball set of 8 strings) on a Starcaster HSS Strat (yardsale find gift from the inlaws last year), tightened up the truss rod and a quick intonation tuned it to B standard.

Have not had this much fun since I started getting good on guitar. So good for a writing tool it's like a reverse capo. Only thing I'd change is to put in weaker pickups at some point, because these heavy strings could use more room to breathe.

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:20 pm

BearBoy wrote:tuned it down to B-B. Then C-C as the strings were too floppy for my tastes. I eventually ended up at D-D, thereby totally missing the point of the whole enterprise.*

EDIT: * actually, I'm getting confused. I've just checked and it's C-C and the strings are fine. Either way, it's not really deep enough for what I want.

Actually, I think I'm going senile. I've tuned back down to B-B and the strings are absolutely fine from a tension perspective.The only real issue is notes going sharp on the 1st and 2nd frets if I apply more than the most gentle pressure. Think this is a nut issue.

Either way, I'm not sure the tone has the same sonorous mellow yet punchy sound (appreciate this probably makes no sense - I can never describe toanz) that I can get from the Squier VI. Not sure if this is to do with the pickups but I'm guessing it is more to do with the scale length/string gauge.

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:21 pm

Nick wrote:So good for a writing tool it's like a reverse capo.

So this. It opens up so many new avenues going lower.

windmill · Post by **windmill** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:52 am

Anyone got a Fender Jaguar Baritone Custom ?

2 single coils TOM bridge

What gauge strings do you use and How do you tune it ?

thanks

aen · Post by **aen** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:45 pm

Yep, I've got one.
I've got a custom string set from Stringjoy on mine, I beleive it's 64-12 or something? Not as big as I would usually go, but it's holding up.
I tune it AEAEEB

The stock pickups are really tinny. I've been meaning to upgrade them for a long time.

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:18 pm

Not baritone but cheep bass vi

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:52 pm

There are also those Revelation ones that are pretty cheap (no idea about quality):

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:22 pm

Is the difference between a baritone and a bass vi that a baritone is tuned down to B and a bass vi is tuned a whole octave down to E?

Can you play chords on a bass vi or does it sounds shite.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:47 pm

Pretty much - scale length can be anywhere between 26.5" (one of the Reverends, I think? - might as well have a regular guitar though) and 30". The only significant difference is that some of the standard E-E ones come with thicker bore tuners (the Gretch, I think, and the Dano VIs) so they can take thicker strings easier, but most E-E string sets have thinner string ends so you can use regular tuners (Bass VI is like this).

Full chords sound shite and jumbled on E-E though - it's why I always ran back to the loving arms of A-A or B-B.

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:57 pm

benecol wrote:Pretty much - scale length can be anywhere between 26.5" (one of the Reverends, I think? - might as well have a regular guitar though) and 30". The only significant difference is that some of the standard E-E ones come with thicker bore tuners (the Gretch, I think, and the Dano VIs) so they can take thicker strings easier, but most E-E string sets have thinner string ends so you can use regular tuners (Bass VI is like this).

Full chords sound shite and jumbled on E-E though - it's why I always ran back to the loving arms of A-A or B-B.

A-A B-B was this on the bass Vi? Seriously considering the Harley Benton as I love my HB Jazz bass so these are probably pretty good.

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:14 pm

You'd need lighter strings to go A-A or B-B on a Bass VI but that was my original intention and what, I think, Benecol did.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 7:03 pm

Arr, I bought lighter strings. I used to use D'Addario baritone strings, but seem to remember they're not quite long enough for VIs: I bought set of Circle Ks for that.

Think that one from Thomann looks amazing for the price - get one and report back.

plopswagon · Post by **plopswagon** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:30 pm

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:36 pm

Or if you prefer vintage:

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:21 pm

benecol wrote:Arr, I bought lighter strings. I used to use D'Addario baritone strings, but seem to remember they're not quite long enough for VIs: I bought set of Circle Ks for that.

Think that one from Thomann looks amazing for the price - get one and report back.

Does look good...

Need to sell something first or file for divorce (or have divorce filed against me)

speedfish · Post by **speedfish** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:04 am

BearBoy wrote:There are also those Revelation ones that are pretty cheap (no idea about quality):

Is that a VI or a baritone?

Thanks,

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:37 am

It's 30" scale and comes as E-E like a Bass VI. Could easily put some lighter strings on though and go A-A or B-B.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:10 pm

BearBoy wrote:Either way, I'm not sure the tone has the same sonorous mellow yet punchy sound (appreciate this probably makes no sense - I can never describe toanz) that I can get from the Squier VI. Not sure if this is to do with the pickups but I'm guessing it is more to do with the scale length/string gauge.

Yeah, I think it's more a scale length/tension thing.

This is a demo that I tossed on Youtube two years ago after restringing my VI to baritone:
[youtube][/youtube]

dezb1 wrote:Is the difference between a baritone and a bass vi that a baritone is tuned down to B and a bass vi is tuned a whole octave down to E?

Can you play chords on a bass vi or does it sounds shite.

Most baritones are shorter scale than a VI; baritone on a VI is basically a longscale baritone, longer than most baritones by ~2". VI is also bass, not baritone, E-e, about 2.5-3.5 steps lower than baritone.

You can play all kinds of chords on VI, but, full G down to E chords can be muddy. Cutting out a couple notes from the chord will let it ring cleaner.

Let's talk about baritones

Re: Let's talk about baritones