Baritone electric guitars live in that perfect middle ground between standard guitar and bass, and once you understand what they do best, it’s hard to live without one.

In this video, I’m diving into baritone guitars, why a typical 27” scale baritone is very different from a Bass VI (usually 29–30” scale), and how each one functions in a band context. While they can look similar at first glance, they play, feel, and sit in a mix very differently.

I also talk about classic effects choices for baritone, especially tremolo and vibrato, and why those sounds pair so perfectly with the baritone’s extended range and piano-like low end.

A huge influence for me was Pete Anderson, particularly his baritone work with Dwight Yoakam on tracks like “Little Ways” and "Buenos Noches From a Lonely Room." Seeing Pete on Austin City Limits in 1989, playing a baritone Telecaster, impacted me as a young player, as it was the first time I really understood how powerful a baritone could be in country music.

Fast-forward to touring with Brad Paisley, I was using a Bass VI on “Whiskey Lullaby”, but quickly realized it wasn’t quite right. Brad played a baritone on the original recording, and once you hear that, you can’t un-hear it. That experience really cemented the difference for me between the two instruments and when each one truly shines.

I also break down my personal baritone guitar, which is a bit of a Frankenstein in the best way possible:

Allparts baritone conversion neck
Music City Bridge saddles
Killer Vintage and Adder pickups
Custom Emerson wiring harness, with the tone control only on the bridge pickup
MJT pine body

A one-of-a-kind blue burst finish and relic paint job done by Brad Paisley himself

The final piece of the puzzle was the nut, fretwork, and setup, expertly handled by Aaron, Nick, and Max at Glaser Instruments, who absolutely nailed the feel and playability.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a baritone is right for you, how it differs from a Bass VI, or how players like Pete Anderson and Brad Paisley have used them so effectively, this one’s for you.

www.truetone.com

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