Any baritone/down-tuning guys here?

[guitguy28]

I bought a guitar that I tune exclusively in standard tuning, but down to C:
C F Bb Eb G C

I love the sound of it. Ever since I heard a guitar tuned that low, I always felt that the low E, a lot of the time, just wasn't low enough for me anymore.

I like bass a lot, too. I even considered switching over to a Chapman Stick several years ago. But I just like guitar too much.

Baritone tunings, or tunings with down-tuned low strings, just do it for me.

I also use a lap steel with a low CGCCGC tuning and it just sounds unbelievable.

I'm currently working with a singer-songwriter who often uses a capo to suit her range. So the blend is pretty cool.

Charlie Hunter is a guy who had to get a custom instrument to suit his desire for low end. But there's also guys like acoustic fingerstylists Don Ross and Andy McKee who do a lot in the low end.

What do you guys think about baritone? Any observations, thoughts, experiences to share?

[Jeffj]

I have a Esquire baritone made from Warmoth parts that I have been playing several yrs. It goes to every gig with me & is a great tool.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa140/customshoptele2000/DSC02663.jpg

[funkycam]

My dad has a baritone acoustic that i got to play this summer on vacation.
What a blast!
wonderful piano sounding chords.
v cool...

[Voiceofasoul]

Most of my stuff has been either DGCFAD or CGCFAD. I love the crunch of it all, but I still keep a guitar in E and one in Eb. Standard really seems to bring out the mids, which is really fun for thrashy material. I also have a homemade 7 (just more comfortable to my hands than a baritone) that I tune to GDGCFAD, to get that ultimate heavy, lol. Anyone know what Ion Dissonance tune to? They sound like seven strings, but for the life of me I can't figure how the hell they make that ungodly low end.

[KRosser]

Jerry Jones Baritone here, tuned B-E-A-D-F#-B

[mad dog]

Jerry Jones Baritone here, tuned B-E-A-D-F#-B

That's the stuff! My buddy loaned me one once for two weeks, been looking for one just like it ever since. Great sounding guitars.

[Bing James]

+100%
Jerry Jones Baritone here as well....black Neptune singlecut, 2 p/up tuned B to B .
I have switched to playing baritone all night at every gig. I'm in a duo with my pal playing on his Martin D35 and Taylor T5. Since we have no bass, this is a killer combo tonewise and adds plenty of piano-like bottom. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out my baritone hero...Tonedr... this guy is THE BEST!!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lvt22pqxvo&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lvt22pqxvo&feature=related)

[TaronKeim]

I have been tuning standard a whole tone down since I started playing guitar... I've almost always played extended scale guitars though - so - with the extra length on the neck providing sustain/whomp it makes the full step down sounds meaty/thick and wonderful.

Currently playing a 7 string Soloway tuned ADGCFAD.

_TJK*

[Sweetfinger]

I've been playing baritone and baritone tuned guitars quite regularly for about 15 years now. I always liked the sound of baritones- even before I played guitar and knew what they were, I thought that "Slipping Away" by Dave Edmunds had a really cool guitar sound. Later I found that you could buy that tone in an old Danelectro!

I had a head start among my peers in tuning below standard because my primary guitar influence early on was Tony Iommi and most of the post-Paranoid 1970's Sabbath material is tuned down a couple steps. My formative playing years were the mid- 80's and it was very UNcool to like Sabbath at that time. All my friends guitars had Floyd Rose whammy bars, so they COULDN'T tune down!

Anyhoo... I discovered that a lot of what I liked in the music of Sabbath, AC/DC, etc. was the blues influence, and I made my deal with Mel Bay down at the crossroads so I could play the TRUE devil's music! ..and where is hell? ..DOWN, of course. ..and when does a guitar sound most cool and evil? When its tuned DOWN! That's how I come to play slide blues on baritones. Here's some of my heroes:

Mike Henderson- This is the ONLY thing on Youtube from him and does not do his work justice. Look into him if you dig down-tuned blues. My last band was completely modeled after his band 'The Snakes'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd797zqqg28


Kid Ramos is one of my heroes and has gradually over the last three or four years been incorporating baritone into his sets. He finally cut a version of this scorcher with his band "Los Fabulocos"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXigPM-lvMM&feature=related

The Hacienda Brothers r.i.p. Gaff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiRAHQoJ8A&feature=related

This still gives me the 'chicken skin'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XngCctzGU7I&feature=related
and part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vFBG5OIh5A&feature=related

and a little Jet Harris, one of the wellsprings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMvAImeb0PQ

[TaronKeim]

Anyone know what Ion Dissonance tune to? They sound like seven strings, but for the life of me I can't figure how the hell they make that ungodly low end.

As far as I know they tune 2 full steps down on all strings. It is possible they do Drop E tuning with the Low G though.

www.sevenstring.org (http://www.sevenstring.org) will have fellas that can tell you for sure, but there are a LOT of Ion Dissonance threads to go through if you do a search, easier to just start a thread!

_TJK*

[90wreck]

Dano Hodad B to B
Sometimes A to A
Add a capo in the mix and it really starts to get fun.

[mcknigs]

I've been playing a Dano bari with a particular band going back about 8 years. I use it about 20% of every show. I've thought that it would be cool to do singer/songwriter shows using the Dano and a capo.

I've also played around with acoustic guitar in C to C tuning. I have an old Japenese Strat copy with an unusually long scale that I've considered stringing with heavy strings and tuning way down.

-Scott

[theroan]

For metal, I need that drop C!

[KBR]

I use regular, but also DGCFAD down a whole step
I am fixin to try AK's DB Minor some day...Pull The Strings!!

www.myspace.com/kennyblueray

[tmaker]

I love to play my D12-28 tuned down a full step. Think "Here My Train a comin'"

[SarasotaSlim]

Been using an 80's strat with big strings tuned down to C

http://www.sarasotaslim.com/music-47.html

http://www.sarasotaslim.com/music-95.html

Wish I had a real baritone 'cause the wambly string thing and trying to get it to sound in tune is tough because of the neck scale.

[mcknigs]

Been using an 80's strat with big strings tuned down to C

Yo Slim,

What guage do you use?

-Scott

[Voiceofasoul]

As far as I know they tune 2 full steps down on all strings. It is possible they do Drop E tuning with the Low G though.

www.sevenstring.org (http://www.sevenstring.org) will have fellas that can tell you for sure, but there are a LOT of Ion Dissonance threads to go through if you do a search, easier to just start a thread!

_TJK*

Thanx for the heads up, I'll look into it.

[scoob]

I have an 80's squier strat I tune down to C using EB 12's - no baritone though. Love the sound of it. But you have to be careful with the lowest lows...it gets a little messy with the bass sometimes. Also, I use less gain with this guitar.

[Branimir]

Kinda getting this thread up from the dead... Sorry :)

I use 12-54 and tune to C, the guitar is an Edwards LP with P90's, it's a cool thing since P90's aren't bass heavy and have strong mids so it's virtually impossible to get lost in the mix hehe...

And there's a silicon fuzz face, diy hiwatt custom 100 clone, 4x12" with two V30s and two Emi V12s.

No probs with intonation, though 13-56 would help things get "tighter", but I like the loose feeling with the 12-54's... 52 for the thickest string (C) is too flabby, so I prefer 54.

I like downtuning since fuzz sounds like a truck then and also with a such low tuned bass guitar you get monstrous thick wall of sound with just two instruments.

[Jules6120]

I've got a Jerry Jones Baritione which is a great guitar.
Here's a clip I did for someone (a couple of bummers sorry)

Tuned B to B...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4xybmGtEE8

Jules

[Captain Midnite]

'02 US Strat w/Warmoth neck tuned down a fifth A D G C E A - add tremolo and it's a swamp creature!

[musicofanatic5]

While I hate the sound of that seven-string or de-tuned grungy, metal stuff, I usually take a tele tuned down a full step to most gigs. One guy I play with does a lot of material (blues) in D that is commonly done in E, so that is a practical application, but I just love the clean, low tone of the lower pitch. Liberal dose of tremolo is icing on the cake!

[Dajbro]

I've got an early 70s Fender Strat with Harmonic Design Z-90s that I keep tuned down to C. That is one HUGE sound!

David

[TDavis]

I use a baritone, as well as a guitar tuned down a full step. Our singer doesn't have a high vocal range so it "works" me a bit, transposing and such, but I don't mind...it keeps me on "my toes".

[LouRossi]

Fender Baritone (discontinued one) & OLP. Both have Seymour Duncan Pickups and tune A to A

[jrm]

I've got an acoustic baritone that I have been loving a ton lately! I've also got a 7 string schecter that sits in its case. Great guitar, but no venue for it right now...

[AerialBoundries]

I love low tunings, but besides tuning my strat to Eb I don't really get crazy on the electric. I'm having a longscale acoustic made for low tuned fingerstyle that will be ready in March or so. The scale will be 25.9" to give some more girth to D and C based tunings. I'm also planning to have an extra nut and saddle made so I can tune it as a wannabe baritone (C-C). Good times :love:

[mike80]

I usually keep my main guitar tuned to drop C. I also keep one tuned to drop B, and one to drop A.

[humbert]

Played the 8-string Ibanez built for Meshuggah today...sounded amazing...surprisingly cool through an AC30 in the middle position--incredibly huge clean tone.

[GovernorSilver]

I've been learning Preston Reed's "Tribes" on acoustic guitar. The tuning is CGDGGD

[jetlag]

I keep an old danelectro U1 tuned down to open D all the time. I run a 14 to 58 set. That way, it's good down to low (open) C without getting flabby. I also have a luthier working on an old Zimgar (Teisco) four pickup, long scale beast. I plan on stringing it up and tuning it like a baritone. Can't wait to get it.

[norumba]

i play a Vigier fretless and another custom fretless at standard 25 1/2 scale length, tuned low to high CGCGCF --- so the top two are actually a 1/2 step *higher* than regular guitar tuning. First photo is the Rick Canton custom, 2nd is the Vigier. Have to mess with custom sets but usually going with 010 or 011, 012 to 014, 018 or 019, 032, 044, then 054-058 for the bass.

http://www.norumba.com/images/uploads/2.jpg


http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs033.snc1/2593_56348979234_778804234_1344529_7423242_n.jpg

[guitarmind]

I have a Red Fender Baritone (the discontinued one).

[Devnor]

I have a new Anderson Baritom coming in April. Had been using a Ernie Ball baritone for the last few years (it's for sale soon). Tuned C-C

[wichita]

I play a normal scale length guitar in Open Cm all the time. Love the low tuning stuff.

[Dave Orban]

I've got a '64 Silvertone Jupiter that I keep tuned down to "D", with a 17-64 set.

I only use it for a couple of numbers, but it sounds massive! ;)

[Jahn]

Here's a recent build, a Bass VI but with Strat wiring (Area 58/61/67s in there, and a 5-way switch), I keep it tuned to A but am considering heavier strings and going E to E like Leo intended.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/jahn0603/Bass%20VI/P1000594.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/jahn0603/Bass%20VI/P1000596.jpg

And here's a clip, forgive my crap singing. Doesn't look too big on me, does it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ZZoO168VQ&fmt=18

[gp81]

Look at this new Tim Miller signature extended range prototype made by Rick Canton. This thing looks unbelievable....Looks like it tunes down to C.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=378710033&albumId=1127525

[James]

I love baritone guitars. I play a Music Man Silhouette Bass tuned either E-to-E or B-to-B.

[JeffD]

I just picked up a Jerry Jones Baritone a couple months ago and am starting to explore it. It's also tuned B to B. It's a lot of fun. Here's a short clip of some noodling.

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=7454671&q=hi

Jerry Jones Baritone here, tuned B-E-A-D-F#-B

[norumba]

Look at this new Tim Miller signature extended range prototype made by Rick Canton. This thing looks unbelievable....Looks like it tunes down to C.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=378710033&albumId=1127525

ive played this prototype, and its awesome! Rick's the one who built me the standard scale fretless in the first pic in my post above...

[SarasotaSlim]

Yo Slim,

What guage do you use?

-Scott

Somebody bumped this thread up again so - seein' as how someone axed me about string gauge...

C - .060
F - .050
Bb - .038
Eb - .022p
G - .018
C - .014

[diego]

Tele with a humbucker tuned down a minor third, ala Ted Greene.

[mad dog]

Since posting here long ago, I finally grabbed one of those JJ Baritones. Wonderful guitar. It sounds and plays so pretty. Now the trick will be working it into the band.

[norumba]

Look at this new Tim Miller signature extended range prototype made by Rick Canton. This thing looks unbelievable....Looks like it tunes down to C.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=378710033&albumId=1127525


Rick just posted a vid offering a closer look:

http://pop.youtube.com/watch?v=upBNaNunlww&feature=channel

[Gas-man]

Why do some of you prefer B-B vs A-A?

[AerialBoundries]

Since I last posted in December, I purchased a Marc Beneteau Baritone from Canadian fingerstyle man-beast Don Ross. It is Englemann/Padouk with a 28" scale. I use B-B as a standard tuning and string it .017/.026/.035/.045/.056/.066 (bottom 5 strings of a JP med set + a .066). An absolutely fantastic orgasmic guitar.

[guitarmook]

I've got a warmoth baritone neck on a squier strat body w/ rio grande tallboys.

I usually tune A-A, because we do more songs in A than B. I have occasionally gone all the way down to G for recording - it gets a little floppy, so I'm a little more careful with phrasing, but the sound is worth it.

[mikem]

I love tuning down to C sharp and drop C- sounds monstrous through the 5150. I love the flabby strings as well- you can shake the shit out of them.

Mike

[mcknigs]

Why do some of you prefer B-B vs A-A?


I never thought much about it. My understanding was that my Dano was intended to be B to B and I figured it would perform better that way. Also, the band that I used it with did a lot of stuff in D, which let me approach it like it was in G, which I like. We did some stuff in B, which was easy. A became D -- easy. G became C - easy. Sometimes I was playing all barre chords so it didn't matter much what the original key was. Sometimes I found myself grabbing the bari for things where I didn't go any lower than E - so I could have played it on regular guitar but it sounded so good on bari.

-Scott

[Rick Canton]

Rick just posted a vid offering a closer look:

http://pop.youtube.com/watch?v=upBNaNunlww&feature=channel
-
Hi all,

I will be posting a video on YT of Tim playing the guitar soon, FYI it is a 30" scale.

Best Regards,
Rick

[Rick Canton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcb5ptVgXYk

----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-xg5LnEjc


Rick

[HHB]

I use a baritone, as well as a guitar tuned down a full step. Our singer doesn't have a high vocal range so it "works" me a bit, transposing and such, but I don't mind...it keeps me on "my toes".
it works the guy filling in even harder LOL!