A Guide to the World of the Baritone Guitar


Currently Available Baritone Guitars

Most of this list was compiled in early 2007. Some updates and comments sent by our readers are at the bottom of the page. It seems that most manufacturers do a limited run of a particular baritone guitar and then discontinue the product. As a result, baritone guitar models come and go more frequently than standard guitar models. In some cases a particular model may have been discontinued by the manufactured, but I included it on this list if it appeared to still be available as a new instrument from one of the major online retailers.

Many custom builders will build baritones, but I did not include custom and boutique instruments on this list. I also excluded acoustic guitars, Bass VI style instruments (see chapter one for details), and seven-string "baritone" guitars.

Baritone guitars can be divided into two broad style categories; traditional and hard rock. The traditional style guitars are designed to be twangy, have single coil pickups and sport body shapes and other design elements that refer back to the late fifties and early 1960s. The hard rock style baritones are designed to sound and look hard and heavy, with humbucker pickups and more modern designs. The three baritones I own illustrate the difference. My Danelectro Hodad baritone looks retro, has lipstick-style single coil pickups, and is a twang monster. My Epiphone Les Paul is a hard rock machine with a stripped down look and humbucker pickups. I also have a Fender Strat baritone that is in the middle of the spectrum, with two single coil pickups and a humbucker in the bridge position. Despite the differences, I've found that all three instruments can be made to sound twangy or heavy, depending on the selection of pickups and amp settings.

The baritones below are listed by list price. Be aware that discounts from list price vary greatly, so you may find an instrument with a higher list price selling for less than a model with a lower list price.

  • OLP MM5 Baritone Guitar list $349 (The 30 inch scale allows it be converted to a Bass VI style six string bass guitar)

  • Agile AB-3500 Baritone $399.99

  • Danelectro Baritone Solid Body Electric Guitar list $599 (Closeout at Music123.com)

  • Michael Kelly Patriot Lo Boy BARITONE Solid Body Electric Guitar list $645

  • Gretsch Guitars G5265 Jet Baritone list $649 (one of the few baritones with vibrato, in this case it's a Bigsby)

  • B.C. Rich Bich Baritone Archtop Guitar list $685 (very pointy)

  • Schecter C-1 EX Baritone Blackjack Guitar list $899

  • ESP LTD MHB-400 Baritone Electric Guitar list $899

  • ESP LTD VB-400 Baritone Electric Guitar list $899

  • Jaguar Baritone Special HH list $999 (sometimes called simply "Baritone Special." Fender's online catalogue says "adds massive humbucking tone to the classic down-and-dirty sound of the Bass VI and the cool early-’60s look of Fender’s famous Jaguar guitar." However it is tuned to B and has a 27" inch scale which makes it a baritone, not a Bass VI type instrument. In fact, Fender has a Bass XI reissue instrument available that has a 30.3" scale)

  • Fender Jaguar Baritone Electric Guitar list $999 (This one looks more like a traditional Fender Jaguar and has single coil pickups. Not listed on Fender's website, but I did spot it at music123's website)

  • Ibanez MMM1 Mike Mushok Signature Baritone Electric Guitar list $1066 (Staind's guitarist helped design it)

  • Jerry Jones Neptune Shorthorn® Baritone 3 pickups $1100, 2 pickups $1050, bigsby vibrato available as option fo an extra $150. (Jerry Jones makes guitars and basses in the USA that are obviously inspired by Danelectros. They are reputed to be of better quality than the Danos.)

  • Jerry Jones Neptune Single-cutaway Baritone...three pickup model...$1100.00 two.pickup.model...$1050.00

  • Fernandes Ravelle Deluxe Baritone LE 2006 Solid Body Electric Guitar list $1128

  • Steinberger Synapse ST-2FPA TranScale Custom Electric Guitarlist $1749 "Play it open and it's a baritone (28-5/8 scale) roll the built-in capo up a couple of frets and it's a normal 25-1/2" guitar.)

  • Gibson Les Paul Studio Baritone Electric Guitar list $2118 (Pickups, wood and controls are the same as on a regular Les Paul Studio guitar, but it sure costs a lot more money)

  • Gretsch Guitars G6144 Spectra Sonic Baritone list $2500 (also includes Bigsby vibrato)

    • Additions and comments sent by our readers

    Hey just read the list of available baritone guitars, check out the Eastwood Sidejack Baritone/ Baritone deluxe. Pretty sweet guitar, not found on your list.-Sammich696

    Hey great site cool info. but u forgot one baritone im holding it in my hands . jackson dk27 baritone dinky 27 inch scale.-vin seale

    Also, as far as scale length, dano baritone guitars offer a 29.5 in length neck, which seems to be unique to that brand name. -George West


    Your feedback and questions will guide the future of this site. -Mike 064 Freeman

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