Baritone Guitar vs Bass6

Learn more about Warmoth's Baritone Conversion Necks here: warmoth.com/gu...
Learn more about the Warmoth Bass6 here: warmoth.com/gb-b6

[@k.l.graham5860]

Have you considered truss rod adjustment on the headstock for baritone conversions? Having to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod seems counter-intuitive.

[@Tarek-Zaher]

My warmoth baritone has the truss adjustment at the headstock

[@arrakeen20]

You have to get a tilt back style headstock in order to get the truss rod at the head stock. I have one, it’s sick.

[@warmoth]

Yep, 100% correct. Tiltbacks have the truss adjust at the headstock. Flat necks have it at the heel.

[@7171jay]

Do these baritone conversion necks fit properly on Squier guitars and which ones exactly?????

[@schmoemi3386]

Doesn't work with a tele neck, unfortunately, as you can't get these as a tiltback neck 😒 I wish the side adjust would also work with the Baritone Conversion necks 😑

[@sheikantoniovonpeanutbutte9667]

If you guys would offer a direct replacement neck for the 9.5” radius Squier bass vi you would have thousands of orders on you hands

[@sarguitars6603]

I have a baritone and a bass vi (both Warmoth based) and I love them both. You hit the nail on the head when you talked about what key you are playing in. That is what makes me chose which to use. I know many metal players who will use a baritone instead of a 7 and just match it to the tunings of the 6 lowest strings. the difference between the bass VI and a six string bass is that on a 6 string bass you get the low B of a 5 added PLUS a high B (or C) whereas a bass VI is just a guitar tuned an octave lower.

[@RudeRecording]

I would like to see more options on the Warmoth Bass VI such as; Rear rout and other bridge options at least offering a stop tailbar instead of the tremolo.

[@madmick78]

On Wichita Lineman, the most common story is that Campbell borrowed a Bass IV from the great Carol Kaye (sp?) for that solo. I may be wrong, but I've always heard the term "Tic-Tack Bass" used specifically in reference to the Danelectro bass in it's various forms.

[@warmoth]

Oh, that's interesting. I didn't know that Tic Tac bass referred specifically to Danelectro.

[@brodym661]

I’d love to see a video comparing the 30”, 32”, and 34” scale jazz bass necks!

[@JNathanielBerke]

Great video, Aaron!

[@laurencefinston7036]

I've got two baritone guitars, an electric and an acoustic, and both are among my favorite instruments. I've used the acoustic on most of my recordings. It blends very well with my classical guitar, which I've always used for the rhythm guitar part so far, and the low B string really adds a nice bass sound. The low notes in general are just in another league compared to the low notes on standard guitars. My acoustic is from Furch and I'll usually use it or my 5-string fretless bass, also from Furch (unfortunately, they no longer manufacture it). I find it detracts from the sound to use them together rather than adding anything. It's easier to play chords on the electric (from Gretsch) because the scale length is apparently somewhat shorter. Still, I find that the baritone is more suited to single note lines rather than chords most of the time. Unless I'm playing chords on an instrument, I really prefer it to be fretless, but I've never seen a fretless baritone guitar. I have small hands, maybe someone with larger ones would see this differently. It's a completely different instrument from a bass or a standard guitar and I would encourage any guitarist to try one out.

[@schmoemi3386]

I've got 2 baritones, too. Both are made from Warmoth parts (body & neck). ☺

[@firstnamesecondname8280]

A lot of modern metal and prog band guitarists prefer the baritone 6 over a 7 string for it's ability to tune really really REALLY low. Other bands love the BassVI for the same reason. I love both. I definitely need to get my hands on a Warmoth Baritone Conversion Neck at some point

[@BeforeTheDarkAge]

I like bass 6’s. I do a lot of multitrack recording and I like having a bass 6 following the guitar filling out the track. Because it is tuned the same it is easy to figure out what to play. Combine that with synth and organ simulator pedals you have access to deep pads to thicken any mix to pea soup levels. Baritones to me are the worst of both worlds.

[@warmoth]

Interesting POV. I can see the appeal of this approach.

[@armandosinger]

A 24 fret 28 5/8” baritone neck has fret spacing that’s equivalent to a 22 fret 25.5” neck…with 2 extra frets at the end. A 30” bass6 scale length also has the same 25.5” fret spacing…with 3 extra frets at the end. A 24” Jaguar scale length guitar has the same fret spacing as a 25.5”…minus one fret at the end.

[@mikaloor7836]

Rock Lobster is just a standard guitar (Mosrite) in an alternate tuning with only 4 strings on it, I believe

[@7171jay]

Do these baritone conversion necks fit properly on Squier guitars and specifically which ones ??? A cheapie Squier Affinity, Bullet, or Sonic series would make these baritone conversion necks a really cost effective entry into owning a baritone... assuming proper fit and function of course.

[@warmoth]

Yes, these necks will fit any guitar that has a neck pocket that conforms to Fender's vintage/original neck pocket specs. This includes most Fenders, and Fender's various budget lines. HOWEVER, the only way to know for sure on some of those variations you mention is the measure carefully. All the dimensions you need to know are here: warmoth.com/guitar-neck-fit I did a video many years ago where I attach one of our bari conversion necks to a Mexi Fender body. It's right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3nMe3SFhb59fpI

[@7171jay]

​@warmoth Kind of nice to know that MIM Squiers are a pretty good bet but I was really hoping for info about Chinese and Indonesian Squiers. In googling around the interwebs the info about neck pockets on the Bullets, Affinity, as well as newer Sonic and Debut series guitars, there surpisingly isn't much to be found. There are a handful of people on forums saying that the Chinese and Indonesian Squiers "probably" should work but that's not exactly satisfying for someone thinking about doing a conversion and wondering if this might be a low cost way into a baritone guitar. I did see someone claim that 22 fret Squiers that don't have overhang won't work with standard Fender necks and that the old super cheapie Starcaster "by Fender" was also a no-go but that still leaves a lot unanswered.

[@kentcrawley]

You might dig Mark Letteri baritone albums

[@RR-ho5ek]

I recently bought a baritone guitar to play some of the cool, low note solos you hear on records. I discovered that it cannot reach low enough to hit, low G octive solos, which a lot of them are recorded in. Although a baritone may be more usable overall, if you want to reach really low, you need a bass6.

[@johnnylayton1672]

Pete Yorn's So Much Work uses baritone guitar & isn't a country tune.

[@mbberry135]

Dear Aaron; I absolutely love the Bass VI! P.S. most of the songs You mentioned were recorded with 30" scale guitars (henceforth I will call Bass VIs, where or not Fender or Danelectro or Other.) Notes from my research on Bass VI's A) Bass VI,s are the following: 29" to 32" scale, Tuned E to E (full octave drop) I remember the Fender Guage by heart it is easy (95-75-55-45-35-25). The D'Addarrio 85 E string sets were a gross lifeless joke, and felt really off (Squiers had that horrid Guage for a while). LaBella sets are very close to the Fender original sets, P.S. using that Guage of 95 to 25 or 96 to 24 has the bonus effect of having match tension strings down the neck (20ft-lb I believe) for each string. B) Baritones are 26" to 28.5" Tuned C to C or B to B. However Bass VIs can be made Baritones by retuning them from E to E to B to B. Conversely Baritones can handle Bass VI E to E tuning ad well. C) Most of the songs You mentioned are played via a Bass VI. Most Bass VIs are labeled by their manufacturer as Baritones l, especially when their scale is 30". Danelectro still does this the Retro 66 TB (Tremolo Baritones) is a full on Bass VI. While companies like Eastwood sell distinct variants 30" scales are given the kabel of capital V capital I for Bass VI kin, while in-between 20" and 25.5" are labeled as Baritones. D) I swore I heard a Bass VI on one of my favorite songs (Marmalade I've Seen the Rain Again). But I couldn't find what they were using even watch their videos. I finally saw the set up Guitar (? I forgot) Bass (Jazz) and the 3rd stringed instrument? Danelectro Longhorn Baritone! (a Hardtail Bass VI Tuned E to E) I don't know of many Baritone users even from early rock. Duane Eddy's U-1 Danelectro was a Bass VI, Cream, The Shadows, The Beatles (My Guitar Gently Weeps), and The Cure all used Bass VIs (usually the version 1 of Fender Bass VI) I hope this was useful or insightful or inspiring. Thank You Sincerely Mike B. B. From Philly, P.A. U.S.A. P.S. if You offer 30" necks, I would suggest flipped Headstock so the High e is closer to the bridge. Making a Bass VI set is difficult (especially without Stringjoy or Labella). The inverted Headstock makes using a Guitar .025" string easier.

[@sarguitars6603]

"Other"= Schecter Hellcat.

[@oqsy]

Wow, sounds versatile! 😂👍

[@CitizenofMelee]

I'm a fan of the Bass VI. I got one on a whim and it's super fun to play.

[@alanhembra2565]

I dig my baritones

[@Elektronijaenis]

B-52's Rock lobster is originally slightly more mad than just a baritone guitar... I'm not sure of the scale length but apparently the low strings were tuned to C and F two middle strings were removed and two high strings were tuned both to F.

[@Techead78]

Great information. ty😊

[@MrSuperHappyFunBall]

Never owned a baritone or a bass vi, only standard guitars and basses. Are the tuning machines designed to handle the different gauge strings? Seems like .95 would be hard to work on a standard guitar tuning machine. 🤔

[@warmoth]

They use regular tuning machines, but you do have to be careful about which ones you choose, and what gauge of strings you use. Most locking tuners won't work.

[@Gregor_G]

I'd love a baritone neck from you guys but with 26.75" or 27" scale length like Reverend/Fender Subsonic respectively. Do you ever offer different scale lengths/do you offer that off-menu?

[@warmoth]

Nope. Our bari-conversion necks are 28-5/8" scale only.

[@Gregor_G]

@@warmoth is there a particular reason for that scale length and not others? You've had that as your baritone scale length for years at this point, I'm curious why you initially picked that and why you haven't branched out to other baritone scale options. Not enough demand?

[@armandosinger]

@@Gregor_Gthe Warmoth baritone scale length choice is smart. It’s exactly a 25.5” scale length neck, with 2 extra frets added at the end. If you put a capo at the 2nd fret, you have a 25.5” scale neck with 22 frets. This is how they can have a 24 fret neck without changing the neck pickup location. The pickup spacing for tone is also preserved over those first 22 frets. They could make a 27” neck, which would be like adding 1 fret at the end of a 25.5 inch scale guitar. But then you have a 23 fret neck, which is weird. Also, I know 27” is a common scale length for baritone, but in my opinion a baritone is not worth it unless you have at least 2 or 3 extra frets (28 5/8” or 30”)? Why? Because a 27 inch guitar only gives you the ability to tune down 1 semitone at the same level of clarity. Yes, people tune much lower than that-but you can also tune a regular scale length guitar much lower. A 25.5” would tuned to C sound just as good as the 27” tuned to B. Or both tuned to B would sound good, but the 1 fret longer guitar would have 1 more fret of clarity. For example, if the 27” guitar starts to sound muddy at the 6th fret on the low E string, the 25.5” would start to sound muddy at the 5th fret. Hardly worth it, IMO. I’d rather just down tune a more comfy 25.5” scale length guitar instead of use a 27”. Hope that makes sense!

[@Gregor_G]

@@armandosinger that's a good point about the capo on the 2nd fret of the 28 5/8" scale. I still think there would be a decent argument for a "modern" 22 fret 27" baritone scale conversion neck, as it seems that's become the new standard across other custom part companies and baritone production models. I've had a 28" scale Partscaster before and found it to be just uncomfortable enough to not be worth it for, say, drop A with the benefit of lighter strings/tension & clarity, and I say this as someone with a multiscale 5 string bass. 27", for me, is a sweet spot for B standard between comfort and the trio of string tension/gauge/clarity. If I was tuning any lower than B standard/drop A I'd go for a multiscale guitar instead 🤷 In the meantime I've got a Les Paul strung 15-70 for B standard and it's doing the thing 😅

[@armandosinger]

@@Gregor_G yes exactly. A Les Paul can do it. Ariel Posen’s baritone is 25.5” with beefy strings. Especially if comfort is an issue, I’d stick with a regular scale length guitar with beefy strings. I have a 27” inch and a 30” in addition to regular scale length. But the longer scale stuff only buys you 1-3 extra semitones of clarity vs a normal scale length guitar, with a trade off of being much harder to play. Like everyone else, I tune the longer scale stuff low and play it differently-more single note lines, smaller chords, easier grips, etc. I’d really like to try a 28 5/8” but only tune down to, say, 3 semitones to Db. From the 22 fret and up, should sound just as good as a regular scale length guitar tuned to Eb, with the last 2 frets the end being the challenging ones to play with the extra stretch.

[@michaellandreth1392]

Yes there is a video of Glenn playing Wichita Lineman on a Fender Bass VI. However on the recording he used Carol Kaye's Danelectro "Bass 6". Bill Pitman was all over 60's music done by the Wrecking Crew on the Dano. Wild Wild West theme for one. The Dublydublydubly on things like Jan & Dean's Ride the Wild Surf. Jan used Bill a lot on the Dano. Usually written "Guitar 3" on the sheet music. if you doing Beach Boy /Jan & Dean cover stuff and you don't have a Bass VI style guitar. That's the sound your missing. I think the Fender scale is 30"....

[@warmoth]

Great info! You had me at "Dublydublydubly".

[@ivanterrible7362]

Bass VI always

[@warmoth]

How come?

[@russellzauner]

I recently looked at some of Charlie Hunter's guitars and even without multiscale, what do you think it would take to make a reasonable facsimile of a "hybrid" neck using Warmoth's services? I think it really comes down to how heavy of gauge strings can be put on the lower few, to create the "bass" part of the hybrid. And about baritones and bass 6 in music - yeah, the solo for Wichita Lineman is burned into my brain as well as Rumble (Link Wray).

[@xamislimelight8965]

Bass 6 is an elusive instrument to me. Never seen one in person only pics and videos and I never played one. But I want to so bad! Its weird nature speaks to me haha

[@sarguitars6603]

Presently both Fender and Squire are making versions. Any good size music store should have one or the other. Mine is made from the Warmoth bass VI neck and body.

[@APMTenants]

The Beatles and The Cure used Bass VI a lot. The strangle switch can clean up the low end. And you can play different chord voicing that omit the low E and A to get a more guitar like sound. Whenever you see Robert Smith playing it, he tends to be up around the 12th fret

[@warmoth]

Good info!

[@Billkwando]

I bought a Bass VI to play Cure and L'Arc~en~Ciel songs on, lol. It's only on Perfect Blue and Get Out From The Shell, so it'll get a lot more mileage in the Cure area. 🤪🤪🤪

[@ZL1LoVeR]

Aaron my friend, Warmoth’s gotta talk more to modern metalheads… we love bass vi’s and consider them baritones

[@warmoth]

That's interesting. I know modern metal/nu-metal/djent is sometimes a quest to get lower, whether it's via 7-string, bari, or whatever. I haven't seen much use of the Bass6 though. Can you point me to some examples? I'd like to check them out!

[@ZL1LoVeR]

@@warmoth gladly!! Brendon Padjasek of the band Structures (and was in Northlane for a bit) made videos about why the Squier Bass VI is the best guitar for low tuned metal. Here’s one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3y8pIGHa81srJIsi=q0Lfjh_e5pjUvFHE

[@ZL1LoVeR]

@@warmoth more examples: The band Loathe were part of the reason why the limited run of Squier Jazzmaster Vintage Modified Bass VI’s are now selling for almost triple their original prices on Reverb. They also play the Gretsch baritone which is at almost 30” and the SubZero Bass VI JM copy. I highly recommend listening to their album I Let It In And It Took Everything… true masterpiece

[@ZL1LoVeR]

@@warmoth I also have to mention my personal favorite band Sleep Token, the anonymous masked collective from the UK that sold out Wembley Arena last year within 10 minutes of announcing their show. Their guitarist named IV was seen on multiple occasions playing a Squier Bass VI, a Gretsch baritone, and has since become a Jackson artist. He has two touring custom shop Jacksons, both at 30” scale length where one is an 8 string and the other a 6 string baritone/bass vi… you have to look them up they are absolutely gorgeous instruments especially with the pale moon ebony fretboards… chef’s kiss!

[@ZL1LoVeR]

@@warmoth Loathe example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXZlIaaoNxlf6Msi=bnOV2hF_vMYeuhA_

[@PaullysGuitar]

Thanks Aaron! Great timing ! I just started working on a Warmoth Hybrid Tele Baritone ! 👍

[@warmoth]

Nice. I'll be using this neck to build a bari in next week's video! And the week after that.....I perform an original song with it!

[@PaullysGuitar]

I'll be tuning in, for sure, Aaron! I'm starting with an unfinished body and neck so have some staining and finishing to do. And hopefully not make too much of a mess.😬 Very much looking forward to your build and song! Thoroughly enjoy your videos, candor and humor. Keep up the great work!

[@OutstandingBill1]

I'm guessing the baritone neck extends about 3 frets further than a standard? Which would put it at C# when playing the thickest string unfretted, if gauge and tension were unchanged.

[@jotunbjorn]

Exactly 1 whole step according to stringjoy tension calculator.

[@somepunkinthecomments471]

You're correct, it's nearly exactly 2 frets longer while the bass six is 3 frets longer. A standard 34" scale bass is 5 frets longer than a 25½" scale, and a 35" is six frets more than a 24¾" scale.

[@garyfox8]

I have a baritone witn a 28" scale neck. I have it tuned B-B, usually. It can comfortably do A-A or C-C on the other side. My string gauges are 14-68. It's very comfortable, resonates a bit like a piano. I have played a couple of baritones with 30" scales, Gretch being one of them. Those sound better A-A or even lower. The Filtertrons on a Gretch add brightness to offset that natural darkness of a tuning that low. But the feel of a 30" scale is very different. I can play my 28" like any of my regular gtrs, but a 30" scale takes a little time to adapt to.

[@wingedrhinotv]

Why don't you offer dual neck bodies in left-handed models?

[@warmoth]

We sell almost none as it is. We would never sell enough lefty double-neck bodies to make it worth the expense.

[@schmoemi3386]

It's almost always the lack of demand.

[@MrSuperHappyFunBall]

@@warmothyou should do a video asking lefties what they WOULD buy IF Warmoth offered it. Ex: Jaguars, Mustangs, left hand reverse strats, take a pole!

[@warmoth]

We don't offer some of those bodies in lefty because no lefty hardware exists that we are aware of.

[@schmoemi3386]

@@warmoth Which brings us back to the demand/potential sales question. There is not enough demand for that lefty hardware, so noone makes them, unfortunately 🙁 I think this mostly applies to e.g. the Jaguar/Mustang control plates. For a lefty you would need a mirrored version of these, but nobody makes them...