Guitar/Baritone Question

powellmacaque · #1 05-10-2009, 06:02 PM

I love playing bass, but I find it easier to write lyrics on guitar, and I want to learn more guitar theory to improve my bass playing. So here are a few questions for those who play both:

1. What is a good guitar for under $750? I like classic tones (Gibson, Gretsch, Fender), but would like a quality guitar for not so much money. The cheaper and better built the better! (I'm really leaning towards a Danelectro)

2. Same question, but for an amp. I'd be writing songs where I'd need a good clean tone and a nice punchy overdrive, but nothing too distorted. Maybe something that could play in a band rehearsal. Again, fairly inexpensive set up.

3. Are baritones "worth it"? Don't mean to start a debate, I was just thinking that I could transition easier from bass to baritone, since my fingers are rather long and are more comfortable on bigger scaled instruments.

4. With all the aforementioned in mind, I'm looking to play folk, ska, roots blues, punk, and reggae. I'd also like to learn how to use a slide guitar, so what is a good and versatile guitar that falls in the above category?

I know this is a bass forum, but I don't see the point in joining another forum just for this question.

Oric · #2 05-10-2009, 08:00 PM

One cool thing about baritones is that you can capo it, and turn it into a standard electric guitar (albeit with different tone, but the average idiot probably wouldn't notice). And if you're leaning towards a Dano, you're in luck, they make a Dano '63 baritone, and from owning the '63 bass, I can tell you it's well built, and easy to play.

tplyons · #3 05-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I love playing bass, but I find it easier to write lyrics on guitar, and I want to learn more guitar theory to improve my bass playing. So here are a few questions for those who play both:

1. What is a good guitar for under $750? I like classic tones (Gibson, Gretsch, Fender), but would like a quality guitar for not so much money. The cheaper and better built the better! (I'm really leaning towards a Danelectro)

2. Same question, but for an amp. I'd be writing songs where I'd need a good clean tone and a nice punchy overdrive, but nothing too distorted. Maybe something that could play in a band rehearsal. Again, fairly inexpensive set up.

3. Are baritones "worth it"? Don't mean to start a debate, I was just thinking that I could transition easier from bass to baritone, since my fingers are rather long and are more comfortable on bigger scaled instruments.

4. With all the aforementioned in mind, I'm looking to play folk, ska, roots blues, punk, and reggae. I'd also like to learn how to use a slide guitar, so what is a good and versatile guitar that falls in the above category?

I know this is a bass forum, but I don't see the point in joining another forum just for this question.

1. Mexican Fenders are great these days. I have a 2003 MIM Fender Strat that outplays most stock American Fenders for a total of $470. New ones are good too, but a good fretjob will make a cheap guitar play great.

2. Peavey Classic 30 is my combo of choice. They're cheap, and they sound great. Good for anywhere from blues to rock.

3. Absolutely they're worth it. I've always loved the range of a baritone guitar, so I built myself a Baritele with Warmoth parts, and later sold that to have a baritone acoustic commissioned. My #1 guitar out of everything. It's a bit of a niche instrument and isn't always suitable, but it's great for being different and opens world of possibilities.

4. Only question I can't answer. My slide playing skills are sub par, likely due to my guitar playing skills being sub par. I'll let this one slide. (pun intended)

Let me know if you have any other questions regarding the baritone.

powellmacaque · #4 05-10-2009, 09:03 PM

What is the most "baritone" tuning for a baritone? B, A? Is a Fender VI a bass or a baritone?

I was thinking of using this instrument on recordings in the future if I were to get one, I just don't want to muddy up the mix.

What are some quality baritones to look for? Any acoustic/electric or hollowbody models within my price range?

tplyons · #5 05-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

What is the most "baritone" tuning for a baritone? B, A? Is a Fender VI a bass or a baritone?

I was thinking of using this instrument on recordings in the future if I were to get one, I just don't want to muddy up the mix.

What are some quality baritones to look for? Any acoustic/electric or hollowbody models within my price range?

The most common baritone tuning is B E A D F# b.

A Fender VI is a bass. It's tuned an octave below a guitar.

There aren't many quality baritones on the market. As far as what's out there, it's pretty much limited to the Dano, ESP, Schecter, a Gretsch, Italia, and Fender has one in a Jaguar body shape.

As far as acoustic baritones, there's the Alvarez Yairi YB1 for $1649.99. This is why I had one built. If I'm dropping that kind of coin, I'd have it made to my specs. I did have it made by a small shop called Alis Guitars out of Madison, WI. I couldn't be any happier with it.

powellmacaque · #6 05-10-2009, 10:49 PM

And you use(d) your Peavey with a baritone?

tplyons · #7 05-11-2009, 12:10 AM

Yes I have, though I no longer have the Peavey nor the Baritele.

It sounded great, never too muddy. Then again, it was a Tele

sonic assassin · #8 05-11-2009, 01:36 AM

being a guitarist first.. id normally lean to a 7 string, as it would feel similar to have a 5 string bass feels (which is my bass of choice). you get the extended range but dont HAVE to use it. otherwise, all is normal. theres also a bigger market for them.

an HSS strat would fit your styles fairly well, but im not sure how many 7 string or baritone strats you'll find.

i really dont know what to say for amps. depends on if you want to go tube or solid state, what you're playing, and id almost always recommend buying used.

you can play slide on anything.. but it normally means open tuning and really high action. normally another guitar is used if you arent going to be playing slide 100% of the time.

powellmacaque · #9 05-11-2009, 07:41 PM

Don't mean to start up an age old debate, but are tubes better for guitar? Every guitarist I know loves tubes... I'm a GK user on bass, so I like solid state on the low end of the spectrum... What size/wattage are we looking at for a rehearsal rig?

tplyons · #10 05-11-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

Don't mean to start up an age old debate, but are tubes better for guitar? Every guitarist I know loves tubes... I'm a GK user on bass, so I like solid state on the low end of the spectrum... What size/wattage are we looking at for a rehearsal rig?

Tubes are neither better nor worse, but there's a reason guitarists swear by them... you just can't beat the sound of an overdriven 12AX7.

I'm a GK user as well and love solid state bass amps. As a bass player, one looks for plenty of headroom, meaning good, CLEAN power.

As a guitar player, most look for that overdrive, best found with tubes, IMO.

Wattage for a rehearsal gig? 30 tube watts has always been plenty for me in a trio.