Baritone

[Jamolay]

Any one playing a Larrivee baritone? I am interested in a 12 fret Baritone, and the only forum posts are 15 or more years old. Curious what anyone thinks. Thanks!


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[ducktrapper]

I had a BT-03 (GoTM in Oct. 2012 or so) which I liked well enough but eventually sold because I hardly used it. I found that I rarely played it without a capo so now I just tune a dread down a step. Close enough. Definitely, for me, a niche instrument.   

[Jamolay]

Thanks! I will probably wait until I have more guitar experience. I love the idea of the baritone and love the sound, but maybe I put it in the “later if I learn to need it” file. I would not use words like “need”…”want” is more appropriate.


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[Mikeymac]

Alvarez made a fairly inexpensive baritone a few years ago (might still?); maybe around $300-350 at MF or Sweetwater? It would be an inexpensive way to find out if you like the tone and will actually play one frequently...

Here you go: now $399 on Amazon.

[Jamolay]

Good option! Thanks!

I do not need a new guitar, I do not need a new guitar, I do not need a new guitar…🤯


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[teh]

Like Ducktrapper said, just tune a guitar down a Whole step.

That’s what I do with my D35 which has a more pronounced bass than a D18 or D28.

On the other end, I have my backpacker strung for Nashville Tuning plus my Larrivee Parlor capoed up to the 4th or 5th fret for treble notes. Don’t knock it til you try it.

[markj]

Like Ducktrapper said, just tune a guitar down a Whole step.

That’s what I do with my D35 which has a more pronounced bass than a D18 or D28.

On the other end, I have my backpacker strung for Nashville Tuning plus my Larrivee Parlor capoed up to the 4th or 5th fret for treble notes. Don’t knock it til you try it.

I have a set of Nashville Tuning strings but I have yet to try them. I was thinking the OO-40 would be the logical choice.

[ducktrapper]

Like teh, I generally use my D-35 tuned down a whole step. L-11 in standard, L-01 in Open G, D or DADGAD. I use my OM-01 for Nashville tuning. By the way, if you're going to fool around with high string tuning, you get two sets of strings in a 12 string package!   

[Mikeymac]

If you want to really go for it with a standard guitar tuned down a whole step, you can order a set of

D'Addario EJ 18 Phosphor Bronze strings so that they won't be floppy and loose. I've tried these and it works pretty well.

[ducktrapper]

If you want to really go for it with a standard guitar tuned down a whole step, you can order a set of

D'Addario EJ 18 Phosphor Bronze strings so that they won't be floppy and loose. I've tried these and it works pretty well.

I have a set of those in my string box. Those were the first strings I tried on the baritone. Also an EXP23 baritone set .016 to .070. Sold the bari, kept the strings.

[mike in lytle]

I don't have a baritone guitar, but I have played a couple Larrivees when they were available locally.
Baritones are very cool, maybe not worth the hassle as a solo instrument, but that is just me. The neck is just too long.
Where they could be most useful is playing along with a regular guitar but using different chord shapes.
Dropping the tuning on a regular guitar won't get you there, the closest I have come is open G tuning on a 12 string tuned down 1-1/2 steps playing along with a 6 string in standard tuning in key of E. Very nice sounding tuning combo. If one capoed up a step on the standard tuned guitar, one could then get to the 2-1/2 step relative difference between standard and baritone tunings, but I am not curious enough.
Mike

[headsup]

I had a lovely Larrivee Baritone, until a jaw dropping Oskar Graf 7 string in BZ came along.

The 7 string offers many cool possibilities, one]ce you get used to it,
BUT the coolest is, tuning the G string down to an F# and

VOILA!
 Baritone!

 the low B is a real killer!

[mike in lytle]

the low B is a real killer!

That's what I'm talking about!
Dang, you are making me want to go explore this now....
Mike

[Denis]

Had a BT-03 a while back like ducktrapper.  I used it for a few recordings.  It's fun but it's like a 12 string, you just kinda lose interest.  You can clearly hear it on this track.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kj2BoBTja8I&feature=share

[ducktrapper]

Had a BT-03 a while back like ducktrapper.  I used it for a few recordings.  It's fun but it's like a 12 string, you just kinda lose interest.  You can clearly hear it on this track.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kj2BoBTja8I&feature=share

Oh great! Thanks. Now I want my baritone back. Sounds great, by the way.   

[mike in lytle]

Had a BT-03 a while back like ducktrapper.  I used it for a few recordings.  It's fun but it's like a 12 string, you just kinda lose interest.  You can clearly hear it on this track.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kj2BoBTja8I&feature=share

Great track, illustrates just how I think a baritone can be well used.
I think we would all be interested in hearing the other recordings.
The one and only time I played a baritone along with someone was at Guitar Tex and I was fingerpicking the Larrivee baritone and John Ramirez grabbed another Larrivee and started picking along, probably the most fun 10 minutes I ever had there.
Mike

[Queequeg]

I've had a baritone for a number of years now. It's great for somethings; not so great for others.
I always thought a baritone was better for single string and triads than for strumming, but that's just me.

Here's a short sample I recorded this morning (as mike in lytle requested more recordings).

[mike in lytle]

I've had a baritone for a number of years now. It's great for somethings; not so great for others.
I always thought a baritone was better for single string and triads than for strumming, but that's just me.

Here's a short sample I recorded this morning (as mike in lytle requested more recordings).

Pretty darn good for just whipping one off this morning. I like it. Thanks!
And it illustrates your point of using the B for single strings and picking.
Mike

[mike in lytle]

I've had a baritone for a number of years now. It's great for somethings; not so great for others.
I always thought a baritone was better for single string and triads than for strumming, but that's just me.

If I may ask, what brand of baritone is it?
Mike

[ducktrapper]

Nice Mark. I have a recording with my baritone. I'll see if I'm techie enough to figure out how to post it.