Key takeaways  

Here are some fundamental features of baritone guitars and what they’re used for:

• Lower tuning, often B-B or A-A, for deep tones  
• Longer scale length, typically 26.5″ to 30″ 
• Thicker strings, usually heavier gauge sets like .013–.062  
• Bridge the gap between standard guitar and bass 
• Mostly used in metal, although they hold their own in any genre 

What is a baritone guitar?  

Baritone guitars are tuned lower than standard electrics, giving them a sound that lies between that of an electric guitar and that of a bass.

They’re tuned to B standard (B-E-A-D-F#-B), and with the addition of a long neck and a scale length of 27”- 30”, they’re made to handle a low-pitch appropriate string tension. This is why they’re great for the drop tunings of metal. But they’re often overshadowed and underappreciated! If you’re a guitarist looking to try something a bit different, test out a baritone guitar – you might be pleasantly surprised! 

History of the baritone guitar 

The baritone guitar’s roots can be traced all the way back to early instruments like the viola da gamba in the 1400s and Gibson’s K series mandocellos from the early 1900s. Both of these instruments shared the same goal – to explore the low-end sound that stringed instruments are capable of. 

Things really took off in the late 1950s thanks to the pioneering work of Danelectro and their 6-string “baritone”. While technically more of a hybrid bass than a true baritone, it quickly became a favourite in surf, country, and spaghetti western music scores. 

Rock ‘n’ roll legend Duane Eddy was an early lover of the baritone and the twang that came with it. His The Twang’s the Thang (1960) hammers the point home and earned him his title as the “Titan of Twang”.  

In 1961, Fender joined the party with the Bass VI, while Japanese brands like Teisco and Kingston produced their own baritone-style designs. But the first real electric baritone purpose-built for its unique tuning came in 1978, when luthiers Joe Veillette and Harvey Citron created the Shark for John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful.  

By the 1980s and ’90s, baritones gained a second wind. Post-punk bands, nu-metal giants like Korn, and guitarists like Mike Mushok of Staind embraced the baritone’s low, gritty tones. It was then that the baritone found a home among the metalheads. 

Famous baritone guitar players  

It’s nigh on impossible to talk about the baritone without talking about Duane Eddy. Fitting in with his country-infused rock’n’roll spirit, Eddy was often seen with a Gretsch slung over his shoulder. Breaking boundaries with the baritone, the album $1,000,000.00 Worth of Twang (1961) has plenty of bite to it, doubling up with the bassline for that classic ‘tic-tac’ country twang.  

Glen Campbell’s 1968 hit “Wichita Lineman” features the unmistakable low-end shimmer of a baritone just before the solo, once again affirming the baritone’s place as the perfect companion to cowboy chords and twangy solos. The ‘60s were the era when baritones belonged to country music.  

Fast forward to modern rock and metal, and the baritone is making its name in history once again. Stephen Carpenter of Deftones uses baritone guitars to shape the band’s signature heavy sound, while John Petrucci of Dream Theater musters up maniacal metal tones with his deep, progressive metal riffs. “These Walls” (2005) is just one track among many to show off Petrucci’s baritone prowess. 

Mike Mushok of Staind is another baritone-wielding beast, often credited with popularising baritones in nu-metal during the 1990s with his crushing, downtuned playing. 

Baritones aren’t confined within the walls of metal, however. Jazz virtuoso Pat Metheny explored the instrument’s softer side on his 2024 album MoonDial, featuring nothing but himself and a custom-built acoustic baritone. Metheny raised the middle two strings by an octave and used nylon strings for a dark, mellow sound, letting him explore experimental tonal territory.

Blues-rock heavyweight Joe Bonamassa also adapted the baritone for modern blues use on “The Ballad of John Henry” (2009), choosing the Music Man BFR John Petrucci baritone as his axe of choice. The baritone lends itself to blues because of the grit and punch it produces, perfect for those high-end bends and soaring licks.

From tic-tac twang and modern metal to contemporary jazz and blues, the baritone truly knows no bounds. While you might think that playing in a tuning a 5th lower than standard restricts your sound, its real-world use says otherwise.  

Is the baritone for you?  

So, you now know what a baritone is, you’ve seen our top recommendations, and you know what artists to turn to if you want to hear some of the best baritone use out there. All that’s left to do now is decide whether a baritone guitar is right for you.  

First and foremost, is the low sound something you’re looking for? Maybe your tone needs some expansion into the low-end, or perhaps you just need a beastly tool to take on that crushing metal chug that the baritone is so often paired with.  

You might also fancy yourself as a baritone player if you’re looking to recreate the legendary twang of spaghetti westerns or early country music. Albeit more niche than the typical metal x baritone combo, you’ll have plenty of fun if you’re planning to use a baritone in this way.  

The baritone is also perfect if you’re a bassist looking to take your tone a tad higher. Sitting in the sweet spot between the bass and a standard guitar, the baritone offers a happy medium that lets you tackle basslines just as much as intense chord progressions.  

Overall, the baritone is right for you if you’re chasing a change of tone, whether that’s as a bassist looking to inch your way closer to a standard guitar or a guitarist looking to dive into the deep end. You’re not only getting a change of tonal potential with the baritone, but you’re also getting a new way of adapting to genres like metal, country, jazz, and more.  

FAQs  

What is the point of a baritone guitar?  

The baritone guitar is designed to deliver a deep sound that lets you explore new tonal territory. Tuned a 4th or 5th lower than standard guitars, the baritone offers a low-end sound that, while not as low as a bass guitar, allows you to reach the lower registers with ease and flexibility.   

Is a baritone guitar harder to play?  

Baritones are harder to play than your standard guitar, especially if you’re completely new to them. Their longer scale length and increased string tension mean that they can take some time to get used to, but once you’re used to them, you’ll be shredding to your heart’s content.   

Can you play normal songs on a baritone guitar?  

Yes, you can play regular songs on a baritone guitar, but they’ll sound lower in pitch – typically a fourth down. You can still strum the same chord shapes and melodies, just expect everything to sound deeper. Transposing or using a capo can help if you want it back in standard tuning. 

Final thoughts  

So, what is a baritone guitar? At its core, it’s a longer-scale guitar built to handle lower tunings – typically B to B or even A to A, giving you a deep sound that sits somewhere between a standard guitar and a bass. With a longer neck and thicker strings, the baritone guitar opens new tonal ground, letting you explore everything from thunderous metal riffs to mellow jazz.  

You know how it’s tuned, what scale lengths to expect, and why it stands apart from your typical six-string. You’ve also seen some of our top recommendations to get you started in the world of baritones. 

If the thought of digging into lower tunings and thick, powerful tones sounds like it’s for you, trying a baritone guitar might be just what you need. Our site has plenty of baritones to choose from, aside from the few we’ve recommended here.  

Whether you’re chasing metal chug, western twang, experimental jazz, or gritty blues tones, the baritone finds a home in any genre. Even if you’re not using a baritone as your main axe, it makes for a fun addition to your collection  

Go low, have fun, and don’t be afraid to explore. The baritone is weird, wonderful, and absolutely worth the detour.