Next project - a baritone?

[Geocoucou79]

Hi everyone,

I'm brainstorming a lot about my next project and the idea of making a baritone comes back all the time. I've seen and heard the nice one that Herman made and it's really something I would like to make. Given the little experience I have and the little information available about this kind of instrument, do you guys think it's a bad idea for me to dive into this?

[Herman]

Geo, go for it. It is not more different than a usual acoustic guitar.

You have to figure out what scale you want, what size guitar (go big) and what tuning you aim for.
Don't build too thin, 'cause it should carry thick strings and a baritone tuned in B tends to sound tubby on the low strings. IMO.
There are several baritone strings on the market, but I ended up with ordinary heavy strings.
You probably found already some more info about baritones on my site.

Again, it is just building a guitar, with some little different specs.
Herman

[Geocoucou79]

Yes it's just a guitar indeed. But I have very little experience so if I don't follow a plan, I'll have to make one by copying a guitar (let's say yours ).

[Carl Dickinson]

I built one. Really like it and it sounds great, immense sustain. 27 1/2" scale, all Bocote w/Spruce top usually tuned to Cc. Used a 0000 Martin mold that I got from John Hall so a big guitar. It's the only mold I've purchased, made all the others.

[Geocoucou79]

Cool, I would be glad to see it if you want.

[Carl Dickinson]

Bocote Baritone. The neck was made out of wood from an old piano I was forced to practice on daily from the age of 5 to 12. The teacher lived next door. I'm seeking revenge by dismantling it.

IMG_20241028_140402200.jpg (327.69 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140442183.jpg (292.53 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140511379.jpg (286.21 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140542909.jpg (220.36 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140708979.jpg (356.8 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140910114.jpg (271.07 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_140940288.jpg (310.71 KiB) Viewed 281 times

IMG_20241028_141622452.jpg (268.73 KiB) Viewed 281 times

. I got the wood from Aaron Hix.

[Geocoucou79]

Beautiful instrument and it's always cool when there's a story behind the wood! Some kind of exorcism!

Which scale did you use and did you follow an existing design or a pan?