Gretsch G5260 vs. Squier Paranormal Cabronita | Battle of the Baritones!

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

Oh come on guys, I really don’t have room for another instrument. Stop showing me such cool stuff. I don’t need another guitar. I don’t need another guitar. I don’t need another guitar

[@Guttural]

🙄😁 It's so hard I want both , and a good semi hollow And a classic tele Some more amps And some ......😂😂😂 (Ps . Already got a lot )

[@mr.lumbergh]

Nah, you need another guitar. Especially if you have a bari yet.

[@Solidsaw]

Yes you do

[@kyleracree2055]

Hey that’s what I told myself. And I was probably right. But I just bought the tele baritone and so far I don’t regret it

[@mikemph7779]

No such thing

[@TheRamsberg]

The Squire's stock 0.068" string at B1 gives 25 pounds tension, the Gretsch's stock 0.072" string at B1 gives 33 pounds tension. That's a 32% increase in tension from the Squire to the Gretsch, due to the combination of the longer scale length and larger string that the Gretsch comes with. Most standard guitars come with tensions for the wound strings of around 18 to 19 pound. For reference: 20 lbs string tension for B1 on 24.75" scale length requires a 0.068" D'addario XL string. Ditto for 25.5" scale length: 0.066" 27" scale length: 0.062" 29.75" scale length: 0.056" Calculations conducted using D'addario's supplied string data. For reference, 30 lbs tension would require a 0.068" string on the 29.75" scale length, and the 24.75" scale length would need a string slightly larger than the 0.080" that they supply in their guitar XL line, their guitar/bass(I think made specifically for 7 to 8 string guitars) XL 0.084" would be nearly perfect. edit: curiosity got the better of me. Gibson Les Paul Standard .046" string for the E2, giving 16.7 pounds tension, for the Squire's 25 pounds, tune that up to between G2 and G#2, for the Gretsch's 33 pounds tension tune it up to A#2. Fender Stratocaster American Ultra Luxe comes with .042" strings, which gives 14.8 pounds tension. For the Squire's 25 pounds tune that up to between G#2 and A2, for the Gretsch's 33 pounds, tune it up to, very curiously, B2, which is an octave higher than the Gretsch's B1 tuning. So there's an experiment waiting to happen, a Strat with 42's on it tuned up to B2 standard, along side a Gretsch baritone at its standard B1 tuning. Just how much of that awesomely harmonically full tone the Gretsch baritone has is due to the string tension? (that experiment would require heavier springs for the trem though, I do suspect, and the B4 at 25.5" scale length would burst any guitar string attempting to reach it, so maybe just remove the first string entirely for the experiment to relieve neck tension?)

[@OctoberB.-mr6fv]

Dude you’re like the Einstein of guitars to me. That E=MC square thing went above my head but maybe you can solve my peasant problem; I’ve been killing for an electric guitar that has string tension closer to a classical nylon string. Only a black squire baritone that I tried today at Guitar Center was tight enough for me to enjoy playing it as opposed to the strats and all that feel so easy and gentle. Is it because of string gauge or the hardtail setup or is it another subject altogether that you’re referring to in your blurb about scale length, which I don’t know if it means the neck length eventually?

[@TheRamsberg]

We have the same problem! The scale length is length of the vibrating portion of the string between the nut and the bridge. Electrics typically have light string gauges, and a very low action. The former reduces the at rest tension of the string, and the latter gives a smaller "fretted break angle"(the angle the string has to make at the nut and bridge to reach the fret when pressed down), which reduces the force required to fret the string. A side note about electric guitar strings, the flexibility of them due to the construction of the wound strings, re. a small inner wire with a thicker wire wrapped around it, or a thicker inner wire with a thinner one wrapped around it, dramatically influences how taught they feel for the same gauge. That is, a thin core string, such as an XL or what not, will feel much looser than a jazz string, especially a flatwound string. The flatwounds are smooth, almost like bare nylon. My solution to needing higher tension for it to feel right was to use strings with thick cores, like jazz strings, to use what's around an acoustic medium gauge set, and to keep the action high, which causes intonation issues, to a degree, but it's not that bad. The two big issues with using a solid body electric lick this, are that the total strain on the neck is then much higher(due to the thicker strings and their higher tension) than it's designed to handle with standard electric strings. If it has a strong truss rod, and relatively thick neck, that should be okay, but if not, then there will be issues. And second, the space between the strings is narrowed greatly by cramming thicker strings on a narrow neck. So basically, you're going to need thicker strings, and probably higher action than is typical, too. @@OctoberB.-mr6fv

[@brunopietoso1498]

I like the dynamic between these two guys: one is chilled and like he's teaching you zen breathing exercises, the other is like a peloton teacher and together they are the best guitar reviewers out there!

[@compucorder64]

The other thing this made me think of is the super heavy tones. When you add a high-gain amp, like a 5150 or ENGL or similar, these guitars make them breathe fire. Loathe are a great band for that, and one of their guitarists plays one of these Gretsch Baritones and absolutely crushes it. 'Gored' is a good example of how heavy it can get. Jet Guitars have an affordable Jazzmaster-type Baritone with a humbucker in the bridge and P90 in the neck, and it's a funky silverburst ('Moonburst') that's a nod to the Antigua Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster Baritones, that go for 1000 or so now. Reissue those Antiqua Jazzmaster Baritones please Squier, like the J Mascis!

[@joerobertson795]

If this gig ever fizzles out, Cooper could have an incredible career Painting Happy Little Trees on PBS. You guys are Awesome!

[@compucorder64]

It's true. Two others like that are Nolly (check out the recent Neural DSP Nolly X explanation he did). And also, the Earthquaker Devices founder, Jamie Stillman. His Show Us Your Junk! series on KZbin is awesome.

[@wolfgangritter9277]

I bought the Gretsch and i'm quite satisfied. I'm also playing bass so I deliberately chose the Gretsch as I'm used to longer scale. I have it tuned to low A, I found the string tension a bit too much for low B. Low A seems more comfortable.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Agreed. I tuned mine to the same.

[@michaelblaney4461]

The Gretsch is capable of a lower baritone tuning such a A-A maybe even bass VI territory ( with thicker strings). I'm a bassist , I have a bass VI and the cabronita baritone . I find the baritone to be more useful.

[@MattTheBassPlayer]

I can confirm that the Gretsch can be tuned like a Bass VI. I keep mine tuned like that and it sounds great. One thing that I like better about it than the Bass VI is that you can get great bass tone on the bridge pickup, which is not the case with the Bass VI. This is especially useful if you're into making your VI sound like a bass one moment, then, at the press of a footswitch, make it sound like a baritone. I actually do that a lot with a couple bands I play with and it's really cool how it almost sounds like a whole new instrument at an instant.

[@MississippiDave]

Bought the Squire… I will say experimenting with backing off on the volume knob and playing w tone knob really added some layers of depth in the range of different sound I can get w it on my Marshall amp. It is extremely versatile for distortion tones and Rockabilly blues or chicken picking styles. Also the surf green one is way prettier imo. But that Gretsch is beautiful. I actually think they both stand on their own w individual look/sound and personality. I’m a little biased , but I feel like the Squire is a tad bit more suited to what I was looking for. I like the edge and the punchiness of the notes more than the smooth buttery-ness of the Gretsch.

[@MississippiDave]

Awesome review guys!

[@erikavery1105]

I got the Gretsch....I'm looking to get another one...Maybe a PRS 277 or the Squier!

[@libbydecamp]

This review helped me make up my mind! Thank you!

[@MississippiDave]

Awesome!! Glad to hear it!!! 🙏👍

[@antonakis79ohyes]

Thank you for taking the time to explain what a baritone guitar is! Much appreciated!

[@robertoclemente449]

NICE VIDEO (and AUDIO) !!! Greetings from Europe , Estonia.

[@axesandelbows414]

I dig baritone guitars -- So much fun to play! Sweet playing on this review! Kind of shocking tho.. Squire has really come a long way! 🎈

[@ronniboi312]

Love this channel, great demos and honest views. I'm in the UK and I've just pulled the trigger on a Surf Green Squier, I tried out the Gretsch, but I didn't like the scale length for it's feel. The 27 inch scale feels better and I really like the tone, so win-win for me,

[@EmmisonMike]

I don't think i've seen someone tuck their pick behind their index finger to fingerpick with the rest of them, so this video has already materially improved my guitar playing

[@tomstegall1346]

Fantastic job, they both sound great I have never heard or played a baritone guitar,2 birds with one stone. Fantastic. Loved them both

[@awesome4330]

Phoebe Bridgers writes on a Danelectro baritone these days - some singers prefer them to match their vocal range

[@michaelblaney4461]

And she tries to break them on SNL too but failing.

[@ElliotPooley]

@@michaelblaney4461 Danelectro could use that video as an ad campaign - "Danelectro: the unbreakable guitar"

[@dan0nada754]

I swear you guys have a video for everything I ever google. cheers!

[@duarteestelita7257]

Good solid reviews guys. Thanks for this. Good sounding baritones. I think I liked the Tele better.. Both of those Humbuckers sound pretty clear, in deed. They both look really good..but although being a Tele guy....I have to say that the Gretsch looks really cool. As a suggestion.. if it were me..editing the video I'd put the playing back to back, 1 VS. the other by riff/lick. So one is able to distinguish the differences more directly. Do you know what I mean ? Nevertheless..a good review. Thanks again Cheers from Portugal

[@wjones284]

I think the Gretch is a more buttery, pro-level rig. The Squier being hotter is gonna be fun for jumping right into drop tuning/heavy distortion rock (but also more likely to feedback/planning to use a noise gate.) So starting out with my first baritone I'm going with the cheaper Squier that also has less of a bass guitar feel. Then will upgrade to the Gretch later, when I get immersed into the journey of baritone playing a while. Much needed review, well done and thank you!

[@Stuub.]

Hope you enjoy the Squier! I went straight for the Gretsch and really really love it. I must add, there's definitely a learning curve, coming from shorter scale length guitars - but it's now my main guitar and the curve in progress with it is clear in hindsight. It's genuinely a fun guitar, and sounds fantastic as much as it looks fantastic. Really happy buyer :D

[@musicmann1967]

Man, I love the Gretsch's twangy yet buttery smooth tone. The bridge pickup is where I would live on that one.

[@8CountAudio]

Yaaasss Small Town Saturday Night reference! Appreciating the twang focus and not a metal baritone approach for this vid

[@mr.champlinssciencechannel906]

I love to play baritone and capo at the fifth fret.

[@totalrobot]

You're back to standard guitar range. LOL

[@Commonwealth96]

@@totalrobot That's the joke

[@MRxr400]

the tele style had some sweet harmonics and sounded amazing to me. Just got my first baritone, and searching for ideas. thanks guys.

[@gnarlantlers70]

Gretsch 'tron style pickups vs. P90s. Everybody wins. It's just a matter of how much scale you need and how light you want your strings to be. Try the super light baritone strings from stringjoy 12-58s on the long 29.75" Gretsch. It's awesomeness. The thicker the string, the harder it will be to intonate accurately the shorter the scale. The strings bend like a rod in a vice and the heavier they are the further from the nut the vibrating portion of the string will be.

[@xBlitzerx]

I got the Squier and had the strings changed from the stock 14-68s to 12-54s and tuned it to C. This is my first baritone and loving it so far!

[@chriss2452]

You can buy 27" necks and modify your regular tele/strat into a baritone

[@erikavery1105]

I just bought a Gretsch Baritone....this Exact model in Blackburst! It's the Sheeeeeeiiiiiittt!😁😁

[@Monsterdrumma]

I prefer the sound of the Squier but I need attack first then ai also like the tone as well.

[@christophervincent8420]

Squire has an olive/army green baritone and an Oxblood with a gold scratch guard baritone as well.

[@TommySG1]

Thanks guys, it’s pretty rare checking out these style instruments so I thought this was real cool 🤙 I think these guitars sound great but then again anything Cooper plays sounds great too ahah!

[@TommySG1]

PS ~ That Gretsch definitely justifies an extra 200 if not more 🤙

[@tim2468]

Just got my Rivolta Mondata - fantastic instrument. If I didn't have it I would go with the Gretsch. Great presentation guys.

[@RocktCityTim]

The Squier may have been effected by Coop's attitude in playing, but it sounded more Country/twangy. The Gretsch was amazing across the mix.

[@kyleritter3074]

Def sounded better in this case

[@gph717]

Nice comparison. Thanks for the info.

[@jaywill530]

I like the Gretsch ,,, I'm getting a black one with the Bigs

[@badscrew4023]

wow this gretch is beautiful

[@markford4587]

In 2024, this Squier Paranormal Cabronita baritone is no longer available. Would love to see you guys do a comparison video between the Gretsch and the newer Squier Classic Vibe baritone.

[@texhaines9957]

I like the Getsch sound more than the other. Not sure if it would be my 1st electric guitar.

[@jabonfresco7111]

I hope you dont buy any of this as your firts guitar

[@texhaines9957]

@@jabonfresco7111 I've been playing acoustic guitar for 50 years. Wore out the 1st guitar. Got a Taylor, then a Martin Custom Shop. Just thinking about electric. I play/sing for folks who can't get out about 8 hours a week over 4 days.

[@boabglen]

To my ears the Fender maybe a nicer bottom end? I preferred the highs in the Gretsch

[@cyprn6600]

Tip tier playing on that gretsch

[@jaypodolnick8348]

Can you please produce a video playing rhythm on the baritone Gretsch.

[@HickiesMusicStore]

gretsch wins it for me! Really great review too. :)

[@erikboon5560]

Just a question , i can be wrong but are we comparing a guitar with 2x single coils(Squire) against a 2x humbucker( Gretch)? I’am not sure were i am looking at or listening to and most of all comparing with.

[@timspencer1]

Great video - thanks!

[@jooyoonchung3593]

There’s something magical about the baritone range in combination with hot, twangy single coil pups.

[@ericoswood1856]

I have the Danelectro 66BT and I love it. More similar to the Gretsch in this video.

[@danielleinad6019]

I don't like my 66BT. It's ridiculously neck heavy. I wonder if Danelectro ever tried this instrument before throwing it on the market. Unfortunately, I can't send it back and nobody wants to buy it from me, so I have to live with it.

[@horrifyinggelatinousblob]

If you get the Gretsch. Put it in A. It works perfect for 8 with standard baritone string set. 👍

[@gtrpls7300]

Gretsch for me. Much more clear, and capable of even further down-tuning because of the longer scale. The tele sounds muddy, and hot. Which I don’t like for down-tuning.

[@missMoshie]

guitar reviewers really only know two sounds: punchy blues riff and aging dad-rock fuzz.

[@cloud-ck4is]

anyone know what colourway the gretsch is?

[@Quinceps]

But aren't these pickups just standard guitar pickups?

[@ttaboy]

Basically yes

[@wirecrimes]

The crossroads of country and metal is the baritone

[@Masterlordrx]

So I can’t play these guitars in standard and other different tunings?

[@treesurgeon2441]

I think you can but you would have to go for the 12 gauge strings instead of 14s but I'm not 100% on that.

[@armandosinger]

@@treesurgeon2441no, you’d have to go much much lighter than 12s for his nearly 30” scale. 12s are considered medium to heavy on a normal scale guitar, so would have much higher tension on this longer scale guitar tuned up to standard E. If you use the lightest strings possible, like .008s or even .007s, it will still be higher tension of this scale is tuned up to standard.

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

I wish you would have put some fuzz on so we could hear how they handle doom metal!

[@texhaines9957]

What amp are you using? What acoustic baritone are out there?

[@awesome4330]

Guild has some nice baritones

[@8CountAudio]

Just saw a new used Taylor baritone on Elderly this morning

[@dissonantstyle]

Still, though you say the Squier feels more natural to play, judging from the footage of you playing them both, you had to work harder on it. The Gretsch made you seem like a much better player.

[@tonya4157]

Hmmm, probably just me but, isn't the easiest way to show how something sounds is to play it? Get on with it.

[@danielcooper8034]

Hey euphonium bro!!!!

[@amazingsacrifice-xs6lg]

Squier sounds much better

[@timschnorenberg-9328]

This video is a bore. They don’t even get to the guitars for almost 12 minutes! They’re guessing at the colors. Maybe try the internet? Pretty disorganized

[@gringogreen4719]

I think the funny thing about guitar players is they crap on something one year, and five or ten years later its great! Gretsch Electromatics are great guitars. Like a top of the line Epiphone or a nicer Ibanez Artcore. Mine is upgraded with TV Jones pickups. The Gretschbuckers even made it on to one of my Ibanez Artcore and turned it from a jazz box to a Rockabilly machine. Actually the Gretschbuckers sound better in the Ibanez. Go figure. Squiers are great bang for the buck. If you want a reliable instrument then upgrade the nut to bone and upgrade the electronics. You will be surprised how much more tone you get when you switch the pots to CTS. Real quick, big switches like a Grigsby will typically not work in a Squier. The cavity is too shallow. That said there are better quality Asian made parts and switches that can make a difference. Usually new electronics clean up the stock pickups signal, less mud.

[@velvik]

Dude on left is bored out of his mind

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

I hate to sound like an elitist, but a 27" is not a baritone guitar. It's just an awkwardly long "treble" guitar. You really need to get to 28ish or more to start taking functional advantage of the longer scale length

[@sgeggbub1008]

Wrong

[@MsCellobass]

Why is it that when someone demonstrates an item on youtube the have diarreah of the mouth!!??

[@timctone489]

Those r not p90s😂

[@timchildress2048]

Timbre, not "tamber"

[@armandosinger]

Timbre is pronounced “tamber” in both US and UK English. How to pronounce timbre | British English and American English pronuncia... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIC5hmiaptqdeKMsi=hLJjsBBNo6OSVozM

[@aegisraven1284]

Squier is a joke c'mon man

[@sgeggbub1008]

Bruh...