Baritone Strings on regular acoustic?

peanutismint · 15th August 2011

I took a factory tour at Taylor recently and played one of their beautiful baritone acoustics (which has the bottom string tuned down to B). I loved the sound and am wondering whether I could get a similar sound on my own guitar - I noticed Elixir make baritone strings, but I am unsure as to whether it'd be safe to put them on my standard non-baritone guitar, or would they rip it apart??

ZachNeels · 15th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutismint

I took a factory tour at Taylor recently and played one of their beautiful baritone acoustics (which has the bottom string tuned down to B). I loved the sound and am wondering whether I could get a similar sound on my own guitar - I noticed Elixir make baritone strings, but I am unsure as to whether it'd be safe to put them on my standard non-baritone guitar, or would they rip it apart??

While you can indeed put baritone strings on an acoustic, some things to keep in mind.

Size of your nut. Some brands have bigger...nuts, some need to be opened for the thickness of the string.

Action, really want to check that the moment you tune up.

I used to do this, until I purchased one of the Taylor 8 string baritones!

drbob1 · 15th August 2011

You'll have a couple of problems:

1. The scale length is a little off: most baritones are 28", most guitars 25ish. That means, for the same tuning, the strings will be more lax. You'll probably find they rattle more and the action may need to be reset.

2. They will exert more pull on the bridge. Taylors are easy to reset the neck on, but you'll want to use the lightest bari strings you can find. Might even consider using a super heavy normal set tuned down?

No matter what you do, with the shorter scale you won't get the same depth of tone that a tru Bari will...

Joe Porto · 15th August 2011

7-string sets use a .52 to .56 gauge low E, which is tuned to B. Just get a set of those (ernie ball makes a set.... .56 to .010) and ditch the high E. As mentioned, you won't get that rich harmonic sound that a baritone gives, due to shorter scale length, and will most likely need to widen the nut slots.

Fisticuffs · 15th August 2011

The scale is going to more of an issue than just tension I would guess. This sounds like a terrible idea. If you give it a try don't do it to naything you don;t mind throwing out afterwards.

peanutismint · 18th August 2011

Ok, thanks guys, all great advice!

15th August 2011	#1
peanutismint Gear Head Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 48 Thread Starter	Baritone Strings on regular acoustic? I took a factory tour at Taylor recently and played one of their beautiful baritone acoustics (which has the bottom string tuned down to B). I loved the sound and am wondering whether I could get a similar sound on my own guitar - I noticed Elixir make baritone strings, but I am unsure as to whether it'd be safe to put them on my standard non-baritone guitar, or would they rip it apart??

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15th August 2011	#3
drbob1 Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,420 3 Reviews written	You'll have a couple of problems: 1. The scale length is a little off: most baritones are 28", most guitars 25ish. That means, for the same tuning, the strings will be more lax. You'll probably find they rattle more and the action may need to be reset. 2. They will exert more pull on the bridge. Taylors are easy to reset the neck on, but you'll want to use the lightest bari strings you can find. Might even consider using a super heavy normal set tuned down? No matter what you do, with the shorter scale you won't get the same depth of tone that a tru Bari will...

15th August 2011	#4
Joe Porto Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,673	7-string sets use a .52 to .56 gauge low E, which is tuned to B. Just get a set of those (ernie ball makes a set.... .56 to .010) and ditch the high E. As mentioned, you won't get that rich harmonic sound that a baritone gives, due to shorter scale length, and will most likely need to widen the nut slots.

15th August 2011	#5
Fisticuffs Gear Head Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 43	The scale is going to more of an issue than just tension I would guess. This sounds like a terrible idea. If you give it a try don't do it to naything you don;t mind throwing out afterwards.

18th August 2011	#6
peanutismint Gear Head Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 48 Thread Starter	Ok, thanks guys, all great advice!