Baritone Classical info ?

[Zohn]

Who knows whether they exist, who make them, and are there Classical (nylon) strings commercially available for them?

From a search, I found this article about the roots of Classical Barritones in Australia. John Williams was presented with 2 guitars in 1988 in Canberra - interesting read...
http://www.guitarteacher.com.au/guitarfamily.htm

[tadol]

From the little looking around I've done ( I hesitate to call it research ) - acoustic baritone and bass guitars are unusual instruments that have specific tonal properties that lend themselves to more limited styles of play. I don't own one (yet - but I'm trying) but from what the feedback I've gotten and the incredibly limited experience I've had with them in shops, the tops can generally be overdriven by heavy strumming, the longer scales and heavier strings make fingering a little more difficult for us mere mortals, and the really nice ones are somewhat expensive.

However, in the hands of a good musician, the depth and flavor of their tone can be incredible. There are a few sound clips on the web of really skilled fingerstyle players on custom built baritones that just blow me away.

There are steel strings available for them, the best info is to go to the string manufacturers web sites and do a search for what they offer as standards, as many music shops do not carry them. I can't help you with classical strings - I have not seen any offered that heavy.

If you do find out anything more - please share it. There are more than a few of us interested -

Tad

[Zohn]

Thanx Tad
The interest eminated from the girl who playes a classical in my band. She is classically trained, and played a steel Baritone once, and enquired about the potential of Nylon Bari's. Obviously I'm interested too, and I suspect you and other Bari owners like Randy and Justin too. I appreciate your interest.
Zohn

[tadol]

Found this - if it is any help - didn't find anyone listing the strings, but they must get them somewhere -

http://www.spechtguitars.com/nylon_bari.html

Tad

[Zohn]

Found this - if it is any help - didn't find anyone listing the strings, but they must get them somewhere -
http://www.spechtguitars.com/nylon_bari.html
Tad

thanx Tad!! - I e-mailed Oliver to find out more about the guitar and the strings.
Will pass on any info I get ok?

[tadol]

Look forward to it - even better, a review and sound clip would be great!

Tad

[Zohn]

Hey Tad
I got this info from Oliver Specht of Specht Guitars which you supplied the link for:
" Hello,
I have that Nylon String Baritone that's displayed on the site for sale for $3000 CDN plus shipping and taxes if applicable. It's a guitar I built to display at the Montreal Guitar Show. The strings are available at  www.juststrings.com 
I also have a Steel string Bari available. If you would want a Custom built one I would need a bit of time as I'm just building my new shop.... So your in Johannesburg.... Cool. I'm curious how you found me if you don't mind me asking. I really enjoy having contact with people all over the world.... in case you're interested  here's a link of one of my clients playing a cedar top baritone steel string i built on youtube.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxVHdmqvwN4
Thanks for the Email!
Oliver"

As you know, there's not too much info on Classicals on the net, please let me know when you find some more will you?
Cheers Mate!

[tadol]

Good on you! That was actually the only thing I ever found on nylon baritones, and seeing it was the first time I'd even heard of them. I love hearing baritones played - The first time I heard one I knew I would have to have one - The first time I saw the price on one, I knew I would be waiting a while.  But that may all be solved in just another week - fingers crossed - 

Oh - check out Matthew Mustapicks site for another beautiful baritone ( one is for sale used on the AGF ) - and I assume you saw the pics of the special Bozeman someone on the Forum is the exceptionally lucky owner of ( still would love to hear that one! ) - but those are all steel -

Tad

[Zohn]

Good on you! That was actually the only thing I ever found on nylon baritones, and seeing it was the first time I'd even heard of them. I love hearing baritones played - The first time I heard one I knew I would have to have one - The first time I saw the price on one, I knew I would be waiting a while.  But that may all be solved in just another week - fingers crossed - 

Oh - check out Matthew Mustapicks site for another beautiful baritone ( one is for sale used on the AGF ) - and I assume you saw the pics of the special Bozeman someone on the Forum is the exceptionally lucky owner of ( still would love to hear that one! ) - but those are all steel -

Tad

Hey Tad, check out this version of Twin Peakes on a great Bari...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_06O8XnJQo
So, what is it about keeping fingers crossed - a Barri for yourself?
Zohn

[tadol]

That is very nice - Here are a couple others I found - I think that uncapoed you get that deep/ open string rumble that is so unique and appealing to me about these -

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBRcoqXKJU0&NR=1

I am working on a trade that would result in my having a baritone of my own. The odd part is that it would probably be the most expensive guitar I've owned, and the one that would actually not get as much play time. My fear is that my inability to play it well will drive me crazy, my hope is that it will inspire me to work on my fingerstyle alot more. My reality is that I can't afford it, but opportunities to get one are very few and far between - and you only live once   -

Like I said - fingers crossed, we'll hope this all works out -

Tad

Oh yes - and here are a couple other links you might not have seen -

http://www.hago.org.uk/guitars/baritone/

http://news.harmony-central.com/Product-news/MK-IV-Nylon-Bariton.html

[Zohn]

Those links are nice too, thanks.
Once you have the Bari, you'll play it (guaranteed). My Smooth Talker is almost exclusively for fingerstyle, and a rather culture shock to me too, but I find it gets more playing time as time goes on.
My fingers are crossed, and I can't wait to learn more....

[tadol]

Bari arrived yesterday - major adjustment curve, which I kinda knew, but there is a HUGE difference between trying something like this out in a showroom, and sitting with it in your living room and REALLY hearing (and feeling) it. I put some (rather poor) pics up in the Pics section. Next step, try to play something on it well enough to post an MP3 -   

Tad

[Zohn]

Bari arrived yesterday - major adjustment curve, which I kinda knew, but there is a HUGE difference between trying something like this out in a showroom, and sitting with it in your living room and REALLY hearing (and feeling) it. I put some (rather poor) pics up in the Pics section. Next step, try to play something on it well enough to post an MP3 -   

Tad

Hey Tad!!
Congratulations mate!
I'm more and more intrigued by the terrific sound of these guitars too. In fact, Carol that plays in the band with me, wants to commission Mervyn Davis to build her a Classical Barri, and he seems keen, that would be a first this side of the world...

[Zohn]

I found a link to a Dutch builder who does "Classical Baritones", with a sound clip too...
Awesome sound! Jim Holler and Larry, you guys might be interested too...
http://www.ottovowinkel.com/public/eng/kwintbas.htm

I might add that I approached three different local luthiers, who are all most interested in the rather unique venture of developing and building such a guitar, rather than just doing it for getting the business, in fact, I suspect I might have opened a pleasant can..