[Bobo]

One thing I'm a bit confused about when searching for info about baritones is string gauges and how they compare to standard scale guitars. If I understand correctly, a baritone with say 12's will have similar tension and feel to a standard with 10's (maybe a bit too generalized?).

I'm looking at 6 string baritones to tune low, like F# maybe some low E. Aren't bands like Meshuggah and Devine Heresy using 27" scale for tuning that low? Had some conflicting info on that.

I'm looking at either a 27" ESP MHB400 or an 28" Agile AB3500 (any other fairly affordable suggestions are much welcomed). I read the Agile's p/u's were similar to the 81/85's. Are these p/u's that are designed for 6's good at picking up those extremely low notes? Would an 85 on a baritone 6 sound much different from a 707 on a 7 tuned the same?

Been reading this forum for awhile, but now I gotta speak up as my low tuning needs must be meet TIA!

[MF_Kitten]

i have that very Agile baritone

it goes down to E nicely, with thicker stringsit should be really nice.

meshuggah are using 30" 8 strings

and if the agile pickups kinda sound like EMG 81/85s, then i don´t like those... the agile pups are a little muddy, and has low output as far as i´m concerned. i want new pickups for it some day

[cev]

Originally Posted by Bobo

If I understand correctly, a baritone with say 12's will have similar tension and feel to a standard with 10's (maybe a bit too generalized?).

At the same tuning, a baritone with 12's will have a lot (and I mean a lot) more tension than a standard guitar with 10's, so if that's what you mean then you've got it backwards. But if you're talking a baritone tuned to B or Bb with 12's compared to a standard guitar in standard tuning with 10's, then yeah, the tension will be about the same. It really depends on the scale, though - a 30'' baritone is quite different from a 27'' baritone.

String Guage and Tension Calculator - Version 0.1.4 - 26 apr 1998 is your friend. When you're dealing with alternate tunings and scale lengths, having a calculator is very useful for figuring out the right strings/tension. I wouldn't necessarily religiously follow its results, but it's good for getting the general idea.

I dunno about Divine Heresy, but Meshuggah use 30'' guitars.

[LordIronSpatula]

IIRC Dino from divine heresy uses the RG2228 (27").

[Desecrated]

Originally Posted by LordIronSpatula

IIRC Dino from divine heresy uses the RG2228 (27").

[Bobo]

Is that guitar in the vid the same as any RG2228 or is it maybe a custom with longer neck? Didn't hear anything about that in the vid. I also thought I read Meshuggah at one time used 27's....is that not true?

Maybe I need to make sure I understand the advantages of a baritone. Better intonation right? Some say better tone (how so if comparing a 25.5 tuned to B?).

Looks like I may have to mix and match quiet a bit for really low tunings (using the string calculator posted here). I read the RG2228 comes with a 65 on the F#, and some say that is too loose I like how 9's feel on a 25.5 at standard E. So when I tune a little lower, I usually try to keep 14-16 lbs of pressure using D'addario's site for that info.

According to the calculator linked here, I'd need around a 70 on a 27" at F# for the tension I'm used to. Sounds big to me, and I wonder if what I'm used to feeling will even be an apples to apples comparison to a low tuned baritone. Anyone want to give some impressions that may help me out (afraid I may not be able to find a baritone local to try, may just have to cross my fingers and order one on-line).

[Ishan]

70 is fine really, I play mostly 6ers tuned standard with 10/46 nowadays (I became a strat guy with age ARGGG) and the 70 on my baritone ( 26.5" scale Schecter currently tuned to B) doesn't feel that big honestly.

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by Bobo

One thing I'm a bit confused about when searching for info about baritones is string gauges and how they compare to standard scale guitars. If I understand correctly, a baritone with say 12's will have similar tension and feel to a standard with 10's (maybe a bit too generalized?).

Having owned several instruments of various scales, my rule of thumb is tensionwise, a 27" scale will have almost like the next guage up. IE, a 27" scale in standard tuning with 9s will feel almost like a 25.5" scale in E with 10s. more like 9 and 3/4s.

[Hcash]

I have a 65 on my 25.5" for Drop A, and that is about 15-16 lbs... I generally like 17.5 across the board but my local music store didn't have a 68... But one thing to keep in mind is when you have a string with 17 lbs. on a 30" it will "feel" looser than 17lbs. on a 25", even though it is really the same. Another baritone option is the Ibanez MMM1. You can get them used for about 400.00. It's a 28". And one thing I really liked about this signature is it didn't have all the "put the endorsers name all over it." The only name it has is on the control cavity cover... I'll post some of the pics of mine if you like.

[Desecrated]

I use a 009-059 for C-standard on 28" , that something like 22 over the board. I really don't think one should go much higher then that, the string are pretty darn firm.