What makes a guitar “baritone”?
A baritone guitar normally has a longer scale length, heavier strings, and a setup intended for lower pitch. It sits between a conventional guitar and a bass in range while retaining six-string guitar-style chord and scale relationships. Fender describes baritones as commonly tuned a fourth below standard, with some models tuned a fifth below.
Two common baritone tunings
| Tuning | Notes low to high | Relationship to standard |
|---|---|---|
| B standard | B E A D F# B | Perfect fourth below E standard |
| A standard | A D G C E A | Perfect fifth below E standard |
B standard preserves the same interval pattern as E A D G B E: fourths between most adjacent strings, with a major third between D and F#. Familiar chord shapes therefore keep their shapes but sound a perfect fourth lower. A standard works the same way one additional whole step down.
Confirm your instrument’s intended tuning
Not every long-scale six-string uses the same tuning. Some instruments called Bass VI are tuned E to E one octave below guitar, while other extended-range models use custom setups. Check the manufacturer’s specification, installed string gauges, and current setup before choosing a target.
How to tune to B standard
- Select chromatic detection on your tuner.
- Tune the sixth string to low B.
- Tune the fifth through first strings to E, A, D, F#, and B.
- Use moderate picking force and allow the low note’s initial pitch spike to settle.
- Repeat all six strings because changing heavy-string tension can affect the neck or bridge.
The current online tuner does not yet display a dedicated baritone preset, so use its chromatic note reading and the targets above. Keep the register in mind—a tuner may show the correct letter in the wrong octave.
Long scale length and string tension
A longer scale helps lower notes feel more stable and reduces excessive floppiness. String gauge, construction, and scale length work together. A set that feels firm on a long baritone may feel different on a converted standard-scale guitar. Read the guitar string gauge guide before making large changes.
Can a regular guitar use baritone tuning?
A standard guitar can sometimes be set up for lower tunings, but simply installing very heavy strings may cause nut binding, poor intonation, high tension in some strings, or weak tension in others. Significant changes can require nut, truss-rod, saddle, tremolo, and intonation adjustments. A baritone is designed to reach these pitches with more appropriate scale length and string feel.
Common baritone tuning problems
- Low notes read sharp at first: reduce pick attack and tune during the stable sustain.
- Strings feel floppy: confirm scale length, gauge, and intended tuning.
- Strings bind at the nut: the installed gauge may exceed the slot width.
- Open strings tune but chords do not: check intonation.
- The lowest string sounds muddy: confirm setup, pickup height, amplification, and picking position.
Using a capo
A B-standard baritone capoed at the fifth fret produces the open pitches of standard E tuning. Chord shapes remain familiar, but the capo position shortens the sounding scale and changes feel. A-standard tuning reaches standard E pitches with a capo at the seventh fret.
Alternate baritone tunings
Players also use dropped variants such as Drop A from B standard: lower only the sixth string from B to A, giving A E A D F# B. Always verify string tension and setup before experimenting far above or below the instrument’s design range.