Have you ever noticed a guitar with a deeper, richer tone that stands out from the typical six-string sound? Perhaps you’ve heard it in surf rock classics, Spaghetti Western soundtracks, or even heavy metal anthems. This distinctive sound might be coming from a baritone guitar. While sharing similarities with standard guitars, the baritone possesses unique characteristics that set it apart and make it a fascinating instrument in its own right.
Many guitarists, from beginners to seasoned players, often wonder, “What Is A Baritone Guitar, exactly?” Is it just a bass? Is it still relevant in modern music? The answer to both is no and yes, respectively. This article will delve into the world of baritone guitars, exploring their definition, history, musical applications across genres, and why they might be the secret sonic weapon you’ve been missing.
Defining the Baritone Guitar: Deeper Tones and Longer Necks
At its core, a baritone guitar is a six-string guitar designed to be tuned lower than a standard guitar. The most significant difference lies in its longer neck, which facilitates this lower tuning. Typically, a baritone guitar is tuned to B Standard (B-E-A-D-F#-B), a fourth lower than standard E tuning, or A Standard (A-D-G-C-E-A), a fifth lower.
This lower tuning is achieved thanks to the extended scale length of the neck, usually around 27 inches, compared to the standard 25.5-inch scale. This longer scale length is crucial for proper intonation and string tension at these lower pitches, ensuring the strings remain taut and in tune without becoming floppy or buzzing.
Beyond the longer neck, baritone guitars share many similarities with regular electric guitars. Body shapes, tonewoods, and hardware can vary widely. Historically, baritone guitars often featured single-coil pickups to accentuate their characteristic “twang,” but contemporary designs frequently incorporate high-output humbucker pickups, catering to heavier music genres. Let’s explore the evolution of this unique instrument further.
A Historical Journey: From Surf Rock to Modern Metal
The electric baritone guitar emerged in the 1950s, finding its initial niche in the burgeoning surf rock scene. While acoustic baritone-like instruments existed earlier, particularly in classical music, the electric version took off in the mid-20th century. Pinpointing the exact origin is challenging, as guitars themselves evolved from various stringed instruments over centuries.
Surf rock instrumental music of the 1950s became the first genre to truly embrace the baritone guitar. Its deep, resonant twang and substantial presence provided the perfect sonic backdrop for the era’s youthful energy, rock and roll attitude, and car culture. Duane Eddy, the “twang-king,” popularized the baritone sound, most famously in “Peter Gunn,” known to many as the theme from “The Blues Brothers.” The baritone’s distinctive swagger is undeniably integral to the song’s iconic status.
The Beach Boys also frequently utilized baritone guitars, adding memorable low-end riffs to the intros of their pop anthems. As pioneers of surf pop, their influence was immense, and the baritone guitar became associated with the sunny, Californian sound of the era. Listen to the intro of “Dance, Dance, Dance” to hear a classic Beach Boys baritone riff in action.
Hollywood quickly recognized the baritone guitar’s evocative sound and incorporated it into countless film scores throughout the 1960s, particularly in spy movies and Spaghetti Westerns. While electric baritones didn’t exist in the actual Wild West, the instrument’s twangy, sometimes menacing tone perfectly captured the atmosphere of gunslinging epics.
Glen Campbell further showcased the baritone’s versatility, using it for melodic solos in hits like “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman,” demonstrating its potential beyond rhythm and twang.
In more recent times, Angelo Badalamenti’s haunting theme for the TV series “Twin Peaks” introduced the baritone guitar’s moody and atmospheric capabilities to a wider audience. The theme’s languid baritone riff, drenched in tremolo and reverb, highlighted the instrument’s capacity for both beauty and suspense.
Beyond Twang: The Baritone as a Sonic Secret Weapon
While its twangy and atmospheric applications are significant, the baritone guitar’s versatility extends far beyond these genres. Producers often consider it a “secret weapon” in the studio, capable of adding depth and richness to recordings in subtle yet impactful ways.
One common technique involves doubling baritone guitar tracks with regular guitars in a mix. This layering creates a fuller, more sonically dense sound without necessarily making the baritone guitar overtly prominent. It adds weight and dimension to the overall guitar texture.
Another intriguing technique is “tic tac” bass, a favorite among classic Nashville producers. This involves playing a muted baritone guitar part, precisely mirroring the bass line. This creates the illusion of a single instrument with a percussive, defined low-end, as heard in Patsy Cline’s famous song “Crazy.”
Brian Setzer playing a Gretsch baritone guitar, known for its twangy sound and retro aesthetic.
Brian Setzer has showcased the baritone as a lead instrument, proving its capabilities beyond rhythm and textural roles. His live rendition of “Mystery Train” is a prime example of the baritone’s soloing potential. While not playing a baritone in the linked clip, Setzer is a well-known Gretsch enthusiast. For players seeking a classic baritone sound, the Gretsch G5260T Baritone is a highly recommended option, embodying retro twang and style.
The baritone guitar also found a prominent place in heavier music genres. With the rise of Nu Metal in the 1990s and Djent and Prog Metal in subsequent years, guitarists in these genres adopted the baritone to achieve crushing low-end tones. Many extended-range guitars from brands like Ibanez, ESP, and Schecter are essentially baritone guitars, particularly 7 and 8-string models and even some 6-string electrics with 27-inch scales and factory-set lower tunings. Context and aesthetics sometimes differentiate them in players’ minds, but technically, they function as baritones. Metal musicians like Rob Flynn of Machine Head, Devin Townsend, Head from Korn, and Stephen Carpenter of Deftones are prominent baritone users, employing them for their massive, impactful sounds.
The Metallica Baritone Secret
A notable example of the baritone’s impact in heavy music is Metallica’s “Black Album” (1991). Unbeknownst to many, a Jerry Jones baritone guitar was used on “Sad But True.” Producer Bob Rock employed the baritone, overdubbing it with James Hetfield’s detuned ESP guitars (tuned to D standard) to amplify the song’s already heavy riff. Adding to the sonic density, extra overdubs focused solely on the muted “Djent Djent” parts of the riff, further enhancing its apocalyptic “chug.” This anecdote highlights the baritone’s ability to add unparalleled low-end weight and power to even the heaviest of music.
For guitarists interested in exploring metal-oriented baritone guitars, models like the Chapman ML3 Baritone Bea and the Ibanez Iron Label RGIB21 offer excellent options for achieving aggressive, low-tuned tones.
Baritone or Bass VI? Clearing Up the Confusion
A point of clarification is necessary when discussing baritone guitars: the Fender Bass VI. While guitarists like Robert Smith of The Cure are often associated with baritone-like sounds, his signature deep tones on albums like “Disintegration” were primarily created using a Fender Bass VI.
Despite being a lower-pitched, extended-range instrument that could technically be classified as a baritone, Fender markets the Bass VI as a bass. It’s tuned an octave lower than a standard guitar, featuring a low E string like a traditional bass guitar, placing it even lower in pitch than standard baritone guitars. Therefore, while sonically related, the Bass VI is distinct from a baritone guitar in its intended categorization and lower pitch range.
For those seeking to replicate The Cure’s distinctive sound, the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI offers an accessible way to explore this unique instrument.
A Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI in 3-Tone Sunburst, showcasing its six strings and extended range, often mistaken for a baritone guitar but technically a bass.
Acoustic Baritone Guitars: Expanding the Sonic Palette
While electric baritones are more prevalent, acoustic baritone guitars also offer a unique sonic dimension. Virtuoso acoustic guitarists like Andy McKee, Martin Simpson, and Stu Thomas have explored the acoustic baritone’s rich, resonant tones. Models like the Alvarez ABT60-CE (an 8-string acoustic baritone) demonstrate the instrument’s potential in acoustic settings, offering a deep, shimmery sound thanks to its doubled string courses.
The popularity of lower tunings in contemporary guitar music extends beyond heavy genres, indicating a growing appreciation for the baritone’s sonic possibilities across various styles. The baritone guitar presents an inspiring avenue for players seeking new sounds without requiring a complete overhaul of their playing technique. You can use your existing guitar skills – chords, riffs, scales – and instantly access a new world of deeper, richer tones simply by plugging in a baritone guitar.
Click here to explore our range of Baritone Guitars and find the perfect instrument to expand your sonic horizons.
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