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Hello all. I'm planing my first Baritone and I was wondering about the scale length.

I've started drawing out at 28.5 and also 30.0. Being a person of extremes, I thought I would like and extremelly long scaled baritone but now I find that the 28.5 looks more balanced and probably would play a lot better than the 30 inch one...

I'm joining at the 15th fret.

Any thoughts or suggestions are more than welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Alain, here is a thread regarding Baritone's and near the bottom Tracy has a link to David Berkowitz's website where there is a good article on baritone guitars.

Hope this helps.

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Right on Rod! Great threads and related articles...

I'm toying with the 14-15 fret question. I'm also trying not to push the soundhole and bridge too far towards the tail. Plus, it has to fit in a regular case...

I'm leaning towards 29 inch joined at the 14th... Should have a good .25 inches spare to fit in a case...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I played a very nice baritone recently that had a 28" scale. It was built on a
martin 12-fret D body with the neck joining at the 14th fret. I believe most
of the bracing worked out fine.

Louis

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- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

Thanks Louis.

I drew on tonight with a 29inch scale joined at the 14th. Everything looks fine and it should fit in a regular case with no problems...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Having built both 28 and 29 inch scales, I have to say that the 29 didnt realy add much to the tone. I thought it would help out with and A-A tuning over the previously built 28, but it really didnt. I think I am settling on 28 to 28.5 somewhere as the norm for mine, keeps the finger stretches down a touch as well. And as well, whether its my trad jumbo, or new Solo shape, 14 fretters, they both will fit fine into a TKL 9120 case - thats a bonus.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Oh, and as its mentioned I think on the Berkowitz site, the softer woods like walnut, mahog and koa tend to work better. I built one from EI rw, it worked well, but I liked the tone of the mahogany better.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Right on Tony, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this thread... I was talking to Anthony the other day and he mentioned that you had quite a few Baritone's under you belt...

I was thinking of using Wenge for mine. I have plenty of it on hand. If it doesn't turn out that fantastic, it's no biggy. I also have some very nice flamed maple, but this I'd have to re-saw.

Interesting about the 29 vs. 28... I might bring it down to 28.5, as you said, no perceived gain in tone from A-A and it'll be easier to graple with...

Thanks Tony!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I am building a 28 5/8" right now. We'll have to compare notes.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

J., sounds like a plan!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Looks like you're well on your way to make another fine Desforges my brother, can't wait tho see this one developing on your bench!

Personally I would save the wenge for something else .. get a plain set of walnut, its pretty cheap, you wont be disappointed.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Try contacting Lance McCollum. I think he's using a 27.5" scale and his baritones sound awesome.
Check in the Memebers List for contact info.Hank Mauel39062.7154976852

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Hank Mauel