The folks at Ernie Ball Music Man guitars describe their instruments as “tools for artists” and the John Petrucci BFR Baritone certainly lives up to the company’s tag line. Discontinued in the early 2010s, a used John Petrucci BFR Baritone today will cost you somewhere north of $2,400. Assuming you’ve got the cash, is the instrument worth the price? We’ve got three factors that will help you decide.
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Devotees to the cult of the Fender Telecaster tend to be loyal and zealous. The same can be said of baritone guitar players. Many consider themselves ambassadors of the deep-tuned bari guitar.
So, what happens when you make a baritone Telecaster? Does the result inspire devotion, disappointment, or something in between? In this article, we will take a look at the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster and find out if this Tele/bari combo lives up to its potential. We will also ask if this baritone Tele is worth the $850+ price it’s currently fetching on the used market and we will conclude with three factors that will help you make the call on this telecaster baritone. ![]()
If you are familiar with baritoneguitar.org, you may be aware that the Alvarez ABT60 is one of my favorite acoustic baritones. An excellent option for the budget-minded guitarist, the ABT60 (and the pickup-equipped ABT60e) should be on the list of anyone looking for a reliable, great-sounding, workhorse baritone. You can check out the full review here.
Well, the folks at Alvarez have expanded their line of baritones. Introducing the ABT60CE! This guitar feels more like an update on the classic ABT60 than an entirely new baritone. Still, the differences are noteworthy and should only encourage you to check out the offerings from Alvarez before making your final selection on your next acoustic baritone. ![]()
If you’ve been playing guitar for more than a few months, I am sure you’ve discovered that strings have a huge impact on tone. When it comes to acoustic instruments, this impact is even more pronounced. String materials change the tonal quality of the instrument. The strings you choose can add brightness, add warmth, and effect finger and fret board noise. Moreover, old grimy strings can make a $1,000 guitar sound like a $100 starter instrument.
Acoustic baritone guitars are no exception to this rule - they impact the tone of your acoustic baritone guitar. Moreover, with baritone strings costing more than standard guitar strings, you will want to do your research and get this expensive and tone-impacting purchase right without testing every brand under the sun. To that end, we’ve put together a profile of the 3 best baritone acoustic guitar strings for you. ![]()
I think you'll agree that it's hard to find a quality electric baritone guitar for under $500. There simply aren't a lot of affordable electric baritones out there that represent solid and versatile options.
Thankfully, the Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster delivers both quality and value. Is the Vintage Modified Jazzmaster the right budget-conscious baritone for you? Read on to find out three reasons Squier's deep-tuned take on the classic Jazzmaster design might the best baritone under $500 and the right axe for you.
The Fender Jaguar Baritone Custom made a splash during its short two-year production run from 2005 to 2007. During that period, the manufactured-in-Japan Jaguar Baritone was billed as a shorter-scale alternative to other baritone-bass hybrids, mixing standard guitar playability with traditional fender tone and earth shattering low end.
The Jaguar Baritone originally listed for $699. Today, you can expect to pay between $800 and $1000 on the used market. Is the Jaguar Baritone worth that kind of coin? Should you consider a more affordable in-production model? Does it live up to its original billing as the playable baritone-bass hybrid? We’ve got three things you need to know before you plunk down the nearly one grand required to add the Jaguar Baritone to your arsenal. But first, let’s talk about the specs and features.
If you put the hammer of Thor and a Gibson ES-335 into a blender and then produced the resulting guitar overseas to keep the sticker price reasonable, you would have the Hagstrom Viking Baritone. The folks Hagstrom boldly assert that the Viking will “shatter all of your baritone stereotypes.” Does the Viking live up to Hagstrom’s claims? Read our review to find out three reasons you owe it to yourself to check out this Swedish machine.
Note: This review has been edited based on feedback from Hagstrom Viking users. Buyers should be aware that fret and electronic issues may represent long-term problems for the Viking (read on for details). If I were to change the title this article with this information in mind, I'd call it "two reasons to check out the Viking and one reason to think twice."
Ibanez introduced the RG series in 1987. The RG has since become arguably the brand's most recognizable line, known for simplicity, speed, and durability. The RGIB6 Baritone is part of the "iron label" collection of RG guitars, a sub species touted as being optimized for metal players.
Ibanez bills the RGIB6 as the ultimate baritone electric for metal and rock enthusiasts and as a top notch working musician’s instrument. Does the RGIB6 live up to its manufacturer's claims? Is it the electric baritone baritone for you? We’ve got five reasons that the answer to both questions should be yes. Oh, and reason five contains one of the boldest claims we’ve ever placed in an electric baritone review. ![]()
Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars has just unveiled their newest baritone: the Tremonti Baritone. The folks at RPS reached out to us on the Tremonti's official release date and were gracious enough to provide us with with the details on this new axe. If you are in the market for a truly premium electric baritone experience or simply have an eye for fine guitars, you'll want to get your hands on the PRS Tremonti Baritone. Check out the official scoop provided by the PRS staff as well as our BaritoneGuitar.org take on the Tremonti Baritone.
A Unique Axe, Fifty Years in the Making
The Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI is the modernized reincarnation of the Fender Bass VI, which first appeared in 1961. Tuned a full octave below a standard guitar and owing its good looks to the Jazzmaster and Jaguar models, the Bass VI occupied a sonic estuary between the traditional bass and the baritone guitar. The original Bass VI was discontinued in 1975, but not before enjoying a small cult following which included Joe Perry of Aerosmith, who used the Bass VI on the 1976 track, Back in the Saddle.
Are you looking to expand your sonic horizons? Would you like to meet one of the most interesting axes you've never played? Then check our five reasons the Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI should be on your list of instruments to play and own.
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