Favorite Baritones?

jwyles90

jwyles90

Well-known member
So I've been gassing a bit lately for a baritone guitar. I in no way shape or form need one, but they just seem like they'd be a lot of fun to play and might even inspire me to play outside of my comfort zone a bit (although if I'm being honest it'll probably take more than just a baritone for me to get out of my A or E major rut).

I've been eyeing the Squire Paranormal Tele series, but I've heard they can be a little hit or miss and that it might be better to look one step up in terms of budget/quality. Also been eyeing the Rivolta Mondatas. They look awesome as well, but obviously are a bit more pricey than a Squire.

I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on some of the baritones currently out there. Anyone have any baritone experience/favorites they're willing to share?
 
Mine’s a Warmoth build, but it ends up costing a good bit more than the Squier. I know nothing about the Squiers, but if the hit/miss is due to set up, which is my guess (with pickups and control parts changes a close second), I’d tend to go in that direction, and do whatever set up is necessary. I had wanted a baritone for awhile, and just ordered the Warmoth conversion neck to put on another guitar; then, to my amazement, the drilling pattern and pocket wasn’t standard on the body—and it was not a body that I wanted to alter that way, so suddenly I went from ~$400 to ~$1400…

This is not a recommendation, because it’s very expensive, and may not even be made anymore, but in the interest of GAS, it’s a guitar I really lust after. For all you baritone players out there, notice what Don has done with the bridge placement:

groshguitars.smugmug.com

Baritone #3667, Mary Kay Shell Pink, TV Jones H/H pickups - groshguitars

This photo hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.
groshguitars.smugmug.com groshguitars.smugmug.com
 
Alan W said:
Mine’s a Warmoth build, but it ends up costing a good bit more than the Squier. I know nothing about the Squiers, but if the hit/miss is due to set up, which is my guess (with pickups and control parts changes a close second), I’d tend to go in that direction, and do whatever set up is necessary. I had wanted a baritone for awhile, and just ordered the Warmoth conversion neck to put on another guitar; then, to my amazement, the drilling pattern and pocket wasn’t standard on the body—and it was not a body that I wanted to alter that way, so suddenly I went from ~$400 to ~$1400…

This is not a recommendation, because it’s very expensive, and may not even be made anymore, but in the interest of GAS, it’s a guitar I really lust after. For all you baritone players out there, notice what Don has done with the bridge placement:

groshguitars.smugmug.com

Baritone #3667, Mary Kay Shell Pink, TV Jones H/H pickups - groshguitars

This photo hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.
groshguitars.smugmug.com groshguitars.smugmug.com
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Oh man. That is a beautiful guitar. How could you do this to me?
 
jwyles90 said:
Oh man. That is a beautiful guitar. How could you do this to me?
Click to expand...
I was visiting a nephew a few weeks ago, and we had a similar conversation, so I showed him that Grosh. A week later, he texted me, asking for the link, just to drool over—he was unaware of non-major brand guitars, so this came as an extra shock to him. The amazing thing to me is that Don's guitars cost less that Fender Custom Shops.

I'm sorry—honest—but I just had to. Isn't that like the prettiest guitar you've ever seen? And, Don's workmanship, especially his necks and fretwork, are the best I have seen. More than on par with Collings, K-Line, etc. (Crap, I guess I'm just making it worse, aren't I? Sorry again. If it helps, I still want that guitar, too!)
 
I think this may be different than what you are looking for but I grabbed a Jericho bari as a beater about a year ago and love it.
It's beat up and needed a thorough cleaning. Fret board was gunky town and thirsty. Only one ding on the neck, frets and fret board we're in good shape after decruding. And the bridge pickup, I can't recall the model, had been swapped and was super dark. Didn't care for it.
But for $450 for a MIK neck through bari, locking tuners, tusq nut etc. I'm happy with it. Putting a black winter in the bridge and one of @J-TEXs preamps when I get time to tear it down.
I also have a Chapman that, while beautiful, doesn't feel as nice. And the bolt on doesn't have nearly the sustain of the Jericho.
 
I have a squire paranormal cabronita bari tele. It’s pretty meh. The p90’s are microphonic with high gain. I did a Strat conversion neck for a bit, but decided I liked it as a standard Strat better. My “dream” Bari would be a Reverend Descent.
 
For an affordable toe dip, you'd probably be hard pressed to beat the danelectro stuff for price/value. ESP make a lot of baritones, if you can hang with the looks you might be able to find a good deal on a used one.
 
I have a Squier Jazzmaster Bari, but they ain't making them any more. It sounds great but it really needs a setup, so it's waiting for me to teach myself how to do proper fret dresses.

I'd like a Gretsch G5260 Baritone, but I don't actually need one.
 
Diynot said:
I have a squire paranormal cabronita bari tele. It’s pretty meh. The p90’s are microphonic with high gain. I did a Strat conversion neck for a bit, but decided I liked it as a standard Strat better. My “dream” Bari would be a Reverend Descent.
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This is valuable and disappointing feedback. Those come up real cheap on my local Craigslist and I’m always tempted.
 
Ive got the squier baritone telecaster which sounds great but I needed to do a fret level to get rid of an unfrettable position.
 
I've had a Danoblaster bari for many years. Last year I bought a Squier Bari b/c it had a shorter scale (27" vs 30"). So, I thought I might sell the Dano. Turns out on balance I like the Dano better. Even though it's a super cheap instrument it's just got something special the Tele doesn't quite have. Great note separation and unplugged tone. I also have a bari acoustic which is super fun. So, the Tele bari is probably gonna get gone. Or, maybe just keep them all, haha.
 
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