Everything You Need to Know About The Baritone Electric Guitar

Baritone Electric Guitar

The Complete Guide for Players Who Want Lower, Heavier Tone

A Baritone Guitar looks similar to a regular electric —but the moment you play it, you’ll hear and feel the difference.

They are designed to reach lower notes than a standard Guitar, while maintaining string tension and playability, without sounding muddy or loose.

If you’ve ever wondered why some Guitars sound darker, tighter, and more powerful, or questioned whether a Baritone Electric Guitar is hard to play, this guide will walk you through the basics in plain language—what it is, what makes it different than a regular electric, and whether it’s right for you.

Read on…

What Is a Baritone Guitar?

Specialized Instrument

Physically, Electric Baritone Guitars often have a slightly larger body and a longer neck, and often resemble an oversized Strat/Superstrat/Les Paul- or Tele-style models.

The difference is subtle at first glance but noticeable when compared side by side with a standard electric. (See Image)

Both Electric & Acoustic

You can find Baritone Guitars in electric or acoustic varieties, made by most respected brands.

Each caters to different styles/players and, like standard models, are typically 6-string but can come in 7-string designs.

Brands That Offer Baritone Guitars

Brand	Best For	Tone Character	Player Type
PRS	Versatile styles	Balanced, clear, modern	Players who want one Baritone for Baritoneres
Fender / Squier	Surf, country, alt-rock	Twangy, punchy, vintage-inspired	Players chasing classic baritone vibes
Ibanez	Metal, prog, modern rock	Tight, aggressive, focused	Technical & modern riff players
Schecter	Heavy rock & metal	Thick, powerful, dark	Down-tuned rhythm players
Danelectro	Surf, spaghetti western, rockabilly	Jangly, retro, resonant	Vintage tone seekers
Gibson / Epiphone	Rock, blues, crossover styles	Warm, full-bodied	Traditional players exploring lower tunings
ESP / LTD	Extreme metal	Precise, aggressive, high-output	Heavy & extended-range players

What is a Baritone Guitar used for?

The purpose of a Baritone is to extend a Guitar’s range into lower frequencies while keeping the familiar feel and playability of a Standard Electric.

Lower End of The Sound Spectrum

This unique instrument bridges the gap or “Fills in” the lower end of the sound spectrum in recordings and performances, sitting between a standard Guitar and Bass in both pitch and function.

This ability to reach lower notes than a standard model while staying above a Bass makes them ideal for thick rhythm parts, layered arrangements, and filling sonic space in a mix, while maintaining clarity in both recordings and live performances.

History & Genre Evolution

Historically

The Baritone traces its roots to early stringed instruments such as the Viola da Gamba and Gibson’s Mandocellos, all designed to explore deeper tonal ranges.

1950 Evolutions

The official Baritone first appeared in the late 1950s, with Danelectro releasing the first mass-produced 6-string in 1956, quickly gaining popularity in surf, spaghetti westerns, and country music. (See Image)

Surf Music

Hearing this instrument was most famously done through Duane Eddy’s signature twang, where he used Baritones for punchy, reverb-soaked riffs.

Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) employed the sound and instruments for thick, bass-heavy lines in his classical Surf music.

Western Soundtracks

Iconic Western themes like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly showcase the Baritone’s atmospheric voice, which helped shape the sound of the Wild West.

Country

For country music in the 1950s and ’60s, Baritones became popular for doubling acoustic Bass lines in the studio.

Nashville-based producers famously used these Guitars to double lines over acoustic stand-up Basses, which were notoriously difficult to mic for recording purposes.

This punchy technique —a percussive, high-frequency “Click” to the low end of the recording (accented on 2 & 4) as “tic tac” (doubling of the Bass line with variations)—helped producers achieve a clearer low end and is still used in specific country subgenres today.

Country Baritone Players

Players in country music include Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley and Chris Hillman of the Desert Rose Band.

1978 Veillette-Citron Shark

Many believe that the first true purpose-built Electric Baritone arrived in 1978 when Joe Veillette and Harvey Citron built the Veillette-Citron Shark for John Sebastian. (See image)

80’s Metal Resurgence

From the 1980s onward, Baritone Guitars found a strong foothold in hard rock/nu-metal, post-punk, thrash, and progressive styles, cementing their place through players and bands seeking darker, heavier tones.

Making them ideal for handling percussive low-end down-tuned heavy riffing and precise rhythm work with tight articulation, rather than fast, high-register lead lines.

Modern Rock Guitarist using the Baritone

Eddie Van Halen

• Notably used a custom-made Ernie Ball Music Man double-neck Baritone during the “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” era (1991-1992), featuring it in songs “Spanked and Runaround.”

James Hetfield (Metallica)

• Used a Custom 27″ scale length ESP/LTD Baritone (Mid 2000’s) called the  Grynch Viper, with a black finish and green flames (See Image)

• As well as more recently the “ESP LTD Snakebyte“, which is a special edition version of his Signature Snakebyte with the same scale as the viper (27″) but with a see-through Purple Sunburst finish. (See image )

Brian “Head” Welch (Korn/Love and Death)

• Used a 6-string Ibanez Baritone model, RGD Shape (2005), as opposed to the 7-strings commonly used in Korn, as well as an ESP custom Baritone model (2017-2024), recently returning to Ibanez in 2025 as there Brand representative.

Present & Future Beyond Metal

While the Baritone Guitar is commonly paired with metal, its beauty extends far beyond just one genre.

What was once a niche instrument has evolved into a versatile creative tool for players seeking depth, clarity, and extended range in all styles

Other influential Guitarists who have embraced the Baritone include…

John Petrucci (Dream Theatre)

• He primarily uses BFR (Ball Family Reserve) models and custom Majesty Baritone Guitars. These instruments, featured on tracks like “Panic Attack” and “Paralyzed,” allow him to maintain high-gain, precise, and aggressive tones live and in the studio.

Pat Metheny – Jazz Solo Artist

• Explores experimental tones with his custom-made acoustic, crafted by Canadian luthier Linda Manzer, who specializes in nylon string Baritones. These Guitars are designed with a specific scale length to handle his unique tuning, which often involves tuning the middle two strings up an octave.

Joe Bonamassa – Blues-Rock

• Delivers grit and punch on modern blues tracks like “The Ballad of John Henry,” with his 2009 Custom Ernie Ball Music Man double-neck featuring a Baritone 27.75-inch scale length on the upper neck and a standard scale (25.5″) on the bottom. (See image)

Similar Play

The important thing about playing a Baritone is that it still feels familiar to play, the string intervals remain the same, and you can use familiar chord shapes/scale patterns, without forcing you to relearn anything.

Tuning of a Baritone

Easy to Adopt

Tuning of these instruments is straightforward once you’re familiar with the lower pitch range.

Using a chromatic tuner with Baritone tuning options will ensure accuracy.

A regular Guitar’s standard tuning (from lowest–pitched string to highest) is E–A–D–G–B–E.

While Standard Guitars struggle below Drop C, Baritones stay tight at Drop C, B, or A

Common Baritone Tunings

While no standard tuning has been established for Baritone Guitars, popular tunings for the instrument are:

C Standard

• Major 3rd below E standard
• Tuning is  (C–F–A♯/B♭–D♯/E♭–G–C)

B Standard

• Perfect 4th, down from E standard
• Tuning is (B–E–A–D–F♯–B)

A standard

• A perfect fifth below E standard
• Tuning is  (A–D–G–C–E–A)

Alternate Tunings

Just like with other Guitars, you can experiment with various alternate tunings, including drop A and open tunings like open G.

Tuning Tip

Most Baritones can handle these common tunings, and if you’re unsure, B standard is a good starting point.

Adjusting for Playability

If the strings feel too tight or too loose, you might need to adjust your tuning slightly.

Remember, the goal is a comfortable tension that still delivers a deep Baritone sound

Because Baritone strings are thicker and under higher tension, tune them down gradually and give each string a moment to settle.

E Standard Not Recommended for Baritones

Never try to tune a Baritone Guitar to E standard using Baritone strings.

Those thick, high-tension strings could put excessive strain on the Guitar neck if tuned to E Standard, and Manufacturers warn that these Guitars with Baritone strings could potentially damage the instrument.

Always keep the Guitar tuned to Baritone ranges unless you swap out for lighter strings and do a proper setup.

Video, Tunings & Related Theory

String Gauge Matters

Your tuning of choice will determine what Guitar strings you should buy.

First, ensure you’re using heavier-gauge strings designed for Baritones.

A poorly matched string set will result in unbalanced string-to-string tension and less-than-ideal playability.

Standard Guitar Strings Not Recommended for Baritones.

Like the cautioning against E standard tuning, Regular Guitar strings are also not recommended for Baritone Guitars due to their longer scale length and typically lower tuning.

Recommended String Gauges for Baritone Guitars

For optimal performance, Baritones typically use strings in the gauge ranges (.012–.060), (.013–.062), and (.014–.068).

If unsure, refer to the manufacturer’s specifications or consult your local Guitar Tech.

Why Baritone Guitars are Rarely Used for Lead Playing

The deeper tuning makes individual notes sound heavier and darker, which can mask fast runs or intricate solos that would stand out clearly on a Standard Electric Guitar.

The longer neck also spreads frets farther apart, making quick finger movements and stretches slightly more challenging for fast, technical lead playing.

Additionally, the thicker strings required for low tunings add extra tension, making bending notes or applying vibrato more difficult.

Tip:

Lead shredders who stick to fast, melodic solos might prefer a  7-String Guitar instead.

Recommended Pickups for Baritones

While the extended scale defines the core sound, pickup choice greatly shapes the final tone, allowing a sonic range from bright and open to dark and compressed, making it far more versatile than its low-end focus suggests.

When choosing pickups, the key is clarity in low tunings.

Pickups voiced specifically for extended-range or down-tuned Guitars help retain high-end definition while reducing muddiness.

From there, the best choice depends on your playing style.

Common Pickups and Tonal Profiles

Danelectro Models deliver the familiar jangle and sparkle heard in early country, surf, and spaghetti western music with there Single-coil option lipstick tube pickups. (See Image)

Tele-style Baritones work well with vintage-voiced pickups for tic-tac Bass tones, while higher-output single coils or rail-style pickups suit heavier styles.

Strat-style Baritones benefit from vintage single coils for’ 50s–’60s sounds, or hotter designs for tighter low-end and modern clarity.

SuperStrat Baritones, equipped with Humbucker pickups and available in both passive and active configurations, are ideal for modern metal, progressive, and down-tuned styles, providing tighter low-end response.

Tip:

Amp/Cables

Along with the pickup options, choose an amp that reproduces low frequencies clearly, as well as high-quality cables, which help preserve the Guitar’s tone, preventing it from becoming muddy

Benefits of Baritone Guitars

More than just a lower-sounding Electric Guitar, Baritones offer unique advantages that make them a powerful addition to any Guitarist’s lineup.

Superior Tuning Stability

• Thanks to their longer scale length and heavier strings, Baritones stay stable in lower tunings. This consistency is especially valuable in studio sessions and live performances, where a tight, reliable pitch is essential.

Creative Freedom

• The deeper voice and alternate tuning of a Baritone inspire new chord voicings, riff ideas, and songwriting approaches—offering a fresh perspective even for experienced players used to standard-scale Guitars.

Comfortable Playability

• With increased string spacing and a longer fretboard, Baritones can be comfortable for players who prefer extra room under the fingers, particularly during rhythm-heavy playing.

Better Band Integration

• In a full mix, Baritone Guitars fill the low-mid range without clashing with Bass Guitars or higher-register instruments, helping create a fuller, more balanced band sound.

What Does a Baritone Guitar Sound Like?

In short: deep, warm, and resonant.

A Baritone delivers a thicker, fuller tone than a Standard Electric, with rich low-end depth and excellent sustain thanks to its longer scale length.

Chords sound lush and expansive—almost piano-like—especially when paired with reverb or ambient effects.

On the low strings, Baritones produce a thick, twangy voice.

Higher up the neck (or with a capo), they can cover standard-Guitar territory, but with a darker, heavier tonal character.