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Ziggy Played Guitar ....

I've just found the exact Baritone I've been searching for, in the finish I want, on Gumtree, and it's in sodding Wollaton, Nottinghamshire. 💢
I've never used Gumtree, and I'm not going to trust someone with £250.00 and hope they post it ...that's even if he would post it.

​

 
I looked at a Bass 6, but I don't want to go down a whole octave. B-to-B is what I'll probably try out first.
 
Slinger said:
I looked at a Bass 6, but I don't want to go down a whole octave. B-to-B is what I'll probably try out first.
Click to expand...
I’ve got a Rivolta Mondata XVIII baritone, with a splittable himbuckrr in the bridge, and neck P90. I put a Bigsby on it, cos i’m weird like that.

It’s a phenomenal sounding and playing guitar, with rock solid tuning, and thunderous open chord sounds. Sounds awesome.

If I’m ever feeling a bit down, I’ll crank it through a small 1x12 and let it full rip, windows rattling in their frames. NOTHING puts a bigger smile on my face. Tremendous fun!

Here is is with its standard e-e sister (before it had the Bigsby installed)
 
Try this one...
https://www.muziker.co.uk/chapman-guitars-ml1-modern-abyss-v2

The original link was to the actual guitar I bought, on Reverb, but apparently, it doesn't work once the instrument is sold. This is the same model, and they also make a baritone in the same finish.

I knocked him down £25, and I've just spent the best part of £80.00 on a case and a strap for it. I think I'm doing something wrong. :rolleyes:
 
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It's well known that I'm a tightwad careful with my money, but I try never to skimp on my guitar straps, which, let's face it, are the only thing between your guitar and the ground. Time to give these a plug - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BY2GR245 They account for my last 4 straps, and I haven't looked elsewhere since I discovered them, and bought one on spec. I like a long strap, and they extend far enough to suit me. I also hate straplocks; I think they're ugly, so I always use these in combination with my straps. It takes no time at all to replace the existing strap buttons on a guitar, and even less time to bung the originals inside that handy little cupboard built into your guitar case. See, it does have a purpose.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Elliptical-End-Pins/dp/B005FKF2QC/

Anyone who has ever had their 6-string, 12-string, 4-string, whatever-string pride-and-joy suddenly come unmoored and attempt to become matchwood will appreciate my reason for making this post. 🤣
 
Those eliptical strap buttons are great, and much easier to use than trying to force rubber washers down on top of a thick leather strap.

I've just signed up (as slinger) to The Fretboard.
 
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Apparently, I've become (semi) sensible in my dotage. A "nearly new" Chapman baritone appeared on eBay today, and it was affordable. It needs new strings, and the postage was almost fifteen quid, but still, do-able. So I had another look at the Harley Benton, and I took in a few reviews on YouTube too.

I've ordered the HB, plus two sets of strings, and a good-quality gig bag, for over £100.00 less than the Chapman alone. I just need (another) strap now.
 
You want Baritone - you got Baritone !!!

IMG_20251112_161418.jpg

Black Friday reductions are upon us and Gear4Music hit me with a sale offer. This is their G4M 638 Baritone VI.

I had been looking at this model a while ago, there was a B-stock example but it went before I could decide. This is NOT their cheapest Seattle model but a step above. There are a number of video reviews of this one that are very positive about its build quality and price.

So, it got reduced to €170 (£150) and I couldn't resist. Arrived in under 48 hours!

This is/isn't a Baritone. It's a six-string bass with guitar spacing and humbucker pickups. Tuning is E-E but an octave lower.

Positives: it balances nicely and is not all that heavy. The neck is very pleasant, slightly chunky but not too. Plays like a guitar, strings are closer than a bass. Setup out of the box is pretty good.

Negatives: the neck pickup is rather loose. But that is the only thing I've found so far.

Soundwise this ain't a bass, it's a guitar. But could be exactly what I need. My ambient style, relying mainly on Ebow, often has me emulating a Cello (I started out as a Cellist). The lower range of this guitar really gets 'down' to the resonances that I'm wanting to explore.

Plan is this weekend to swap out the stock bass-style strings and fit a set of lighter Baritone D'addario's, then tune to B-B (probably). Also open up the plate and check the pickup mounting. Clean and oil the fretboard, etc.

First impressions are good. Now to see if I can get it better!

www.gear4music.com

G4M 638 Baritone VI Electric Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst at Gear4music

G4M 638 Baritone VI Electric Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst at Gear4music
www.gear4music.com www.gear4music.com
 
Nice!
If you ever find one cheap (Thomann often have them for £50), try a Gretsch Filtertron in the bridge - they make a glorious noise with a baritone - really chewy in the mids, with a nice bit of grind. Glorious sounding.
Brian Setzer plays a c-c tuned Spectrasonic baritone, and it’s a spectacular noise.

My Rivolta baritone has a splittable humbuckers in the bridge, and even that makes my hair stand on end.

Hope this new baritone gives you years of pleasure.

So, what’s next on the shopping list?
 
That really is a nice-looking guitar, Fret. If it sounds as good as it looks, you've picked a winner.

News on my baritone:
2025/11/10 06:13 pm
Dispatched: The goods have left our warehouse and are on their way to the border.

Obviously, there are no airports in Germany. 🤣

It's factory strung with a 014 - 068 set, but I've got a couple of sets of D'Addario EXL 158s (013, 017, 026, 036, 046, 062 with a wound 'G') coming with it. It's loaded with 2x "P90 AlNiCo Vintage Style Single Coils", so hopefully I'll be able to get more surf than metal noise out of it. Filtertron tip noted. Brian Setzer is a favourite of mine, and hugely underrated by everyone except other guitarists.

Total cost for the guitar, strings, and one of these, a Thomann E-Bass Gigbag Elite

thomann_e_bass_gigbag_elite_1.jpg​

was £225.40 delivered.

I still wish I could have got that £250 Chapman in Notts somehow, though. It's gorgeous.
 
I've nearly pushed 'buy' on that HB JA Baritone a couple of times. It looks like a fine instrument.

Have ordered the same string-set. Love D'addario and their sound. Am looking at this strap from Amazon:

Perri’s Leathers Ltd. - Guitar Strap - Leather - Double Stitched - Black - Adjustable - For Acoustic/Bass/Electric Guitars - Made in Canada (BDS-175) : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders of £20 or more. Buy Perri’s Leathers Ltd. - Guitar Strap - Leather - Double Stitched - Black - Adjustable - For Acoustic/Bass/Electric Guitars - Made in Canada (BDS-175) at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk

Could be fun swapping comments on the HB and G4M.
 
Fretless said:
I've nearly pushed 'buy' on that HB JA Baritone a couple of times. It looks like a fine instrument.

Have ordered the same string-set. Love D'addario and their sound. Am looking at this strap from Amazon:

Perri’s Leathers Ltd. - Guitar Strap - Leather - Double Stitched - Black - Adjustable - For Acoustic/Bass/Electric Guitars - Made in Canada (BDS-175) : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders of £20 or more. Buy Perri’s Leathers Ltd. - Guitar Strap - Leather - Double Stitched - Black - Adjustable - For Acoustic/Bass/Electric Guitars - Made in Canada (BDS-175) at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk

Could be fun swapping comments on the HB and G4M.
Click to expand...
That's a decent strap. I seem to remember buying one of theirs some while ago.
 
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