vetterdog
Junior Member
This is the one I purchased (at a very nice price) from Longnose Gar (aka Dan) last week. I took a half day from work on Friday to go to the woods camping and when I got home it was on my doorstep, so I threw it in the camper and took it with me know I'd get some time alone with it.
I will say this- I made a wise choice, I really like playing this beauty and I'm still figuring out what it can do.
It's a baritone so the low strings have to be played with a deft touch or they do get a bit muddy.(I play fingerstyle mostly so reigning in my thumb wasn't a big deal) I have had it suggested to tune it up a half step to C# but since I play in a group setting it's much easier to figure out how to transpose chord shapes with it in it's standard B to B tuning. This guitar has a nice full tone to it, not too deep as I had worried, and has plenty of volume, so I think I'll be heard through the mix even without a plectrum. The arched back looks and feels lovely, and adds fullness to the sound.
It seems to be very well made, inside joints all clean and crisp, no glue or imperfections to be seen. I have read that folks thought the action was a bit too high for their liking, but I haven't felt that at all. I know it needs to be up a little to accommodate the longer scale length, but it plays quite nicely as is, no buzzing. The strings feel natural and bending isn't an issue, even though the middle strings are paired as octaves. I play 12 string quite often so it's very natural feeling for me.
I played it with a second guitarist and a fiddle player last weekend and it made for a rich, deep mix. I haven't plugged it in yet but I have no worries about the sound coming from the Fishman, given their overall quality. What I enjoy the most right now is discovering new voicings for songs I already know, adding a mid-low sound to the mix and just trying out some lead runs and hearing familiar runs with a new sound. I've only scratched the surface exploring the world of baritone guitar, but this guitar has made every step and new discovery a joy. It's solidly made, plays easily, and feels very comfortable and natural to hold and play. Another benefit is that as a baritone, it is a justifiable addition to my burgeoning collection!
So thanks Dan!
Feel free to ask about any other facets of this that I may have overlooked.
-Dave
I will say this- I made a wise choice, I really like playing this beauty and I'm still figuring out what it can do.
It's a baritone so the low strings have to be played with a deft touch or they do get a bit muddy.(I play fingerstyle mostly so reigning in my thumb wasn't a big deal) I have had it suggested to tune it up a half step to C# but since I play in a group setting it's much easier to figure out how to transpose chord shapes with it in it's standard B to B tuning. This guitar has a nice full tone to it, not too deep as I had worried, and has plenty of volume, so I think I'll be heard through the mix even without a plectrum. The arched back looks and feels lovely, and adds fullness to the sound.
It seems to be very well made, inside joints all clean and crisp, no glue or imperfections to be seen. I have read that folks thought the action was a bit too high for their liking, but I haven't felt that at all. I know it needs to be up a little to accommodate the longer scale length, but it plays quite nicely as is, no buzzing. The strings feel natural and bending isn't an issue, even though the middle strings are paired as octaves. I play 12 string quite often so it's very natural feeling for me.
I played it with a second guitarist and a fiddle player last weekend and it made for a rich, deep mix. I haven't plugged it in yet but I have no worries about the sound coming from the Fishman, given their overall quality. What I enjoy the most right now is discovering new voicings for songs I already know, adding a mid-low sound to the mix and just trying out some lead runs and hearing familiar runs with a new sound. I've only scratched the surface exploring the world of baritone guitar, but this guitar has made every step and new discovery a joy. It's solidly made, plays easily, and feels very comfortable and natural to hold and play. Another benefit is that as a baritone, it is a justifiable addition to my burgeoning collection!
So thanks Dan!
Feel free to ask about any other facets of this that I may have overlooked.
-Dave
