Playing Baritone Guitar: Thoughts and questions

[Bass-desires]

Hello all, I was looking around the net and stumbled on baritone guitars. Never heard of them, but really like the idea. I am a bassist that plays guitar sometimes and thought about getting one of these. Here are some thoughts/questions for yall.

Would playing a baritone sound 'too close' to a traditional guitar to effectively fill out sound?

I currently play with a fella with an acoustic and a piano player, drummer(sometimes) at church and was thinking of sonic possibles. But am worried the keys will kill the baritone.

Can a baritone "somewhat" fill the roll of bass (in as much as keys can?)

Anyone here play baritone?

Any suggestions on playing baritone? (going to string my standard 6 with heavy gauge strings and give the sound a try before I go dropping $300 on a baritone guitar)

I love my bass and will forever love my bass, maybe its just a phase, but was thinking of trying baritone out.

[uethanian]

i've never played a baritone guitar, but i've heard them in recordings. i don't think the extra range is that significant (because you could string a regular guitar with a 7-string low B set). the real difference is in tone...kind of like the difference between a 30" bass and a 35" bass. so $300 isn't a lot to pay for an instrument that sounds cool and markedly 'different.' BUT, i wouldn't count on it filling the role of a bass. if you're playing open chords on a baritone, it'll definitely be a thicker sound than a regular guitar, which might be what you're looking for...but leave the bass parts for a bass. otherwise (if you want to drop a whole lot of money) you could get the novax charlie hunter 8-string (basically 3 bass strings and 5 guitar strings).

[BillyIVbass]

I'm curious myself. I doubt it would push as much air as a bass.

Could keys kill it? Depends if you keys player has an understanding of harmony or just likes to play wide open chords.

My question is how low can you go on a guitar before you need a larger scaled instrument?

[lunarpollen]

There are different roles a baritone can play, just as there are different roles a standard guitar can play. Any ideas on how you would be using it? Playing styles, contexts etc.?

Both standard guitars and bass guitars extend into the baritone range. A bass VI (short-scale six-string bass) can perform the baritone role, as well as function as a regular bass instrument.

A dedicated baritone guitar played through a bass amp can usually perform a bass role, except it won't have the low E string on it.

It all really depends on what kind of sounds and playing styles you would be using with the baritone guitar.

[Bass-desires]

Well I was planning on seeing how it sounds, and then the context. I am involved in three musical projects right now. One at church, one with friends from the church, and another with a bass player friend of mine. (Two bass players, no guitarist, go figure.)

I wanted to see the possibilities of the sound and see if or where I could use it. I really like the idea of a 'deeper' guitar. I figure if I have to play guitar instead of bass, I can try to make the guitar sound lower lol.

As for the 7 string... Have one on loan from the bass player, but would want to try the low end on an acoustic for solo play. Still need to try the 7.

Typical Baritone tuning is four or five steps down from the guitar, right? So would be tuned.... CFAD#Gc (4ths) or BEADF#b (5ths)....right?