4. Strings and Tuning

Strings

Playing on a longer scale length naturally takes some getting used to, since you have to stretch your arms a bit further for the lower ranges, and also because the frets are spaced further apart. You should also pay attention to the gauge of the strings you buy: using strings of the wrong gauge will reduce your enjoyment tremendously. When you buy a new instrument, it should come with a suitable set of strings already on the instrument, so that you can start right away, gaining your first experiences without having to worry about them. Once you have got used to the difference to a regular 6-stringer, you should feel free to experiment with different tunings, and with different sets of strings, too. But keep in mind that the strings mustn't be too thin, as this will cause the intonation to suffer, there will be audible buzzing, and tuning your strings to the proper intervals becomes a real challenge, something we can all do without.

All major manufacturers offer strings which vary both in material and in the gauges of the individual strings. A good rule of thumb is to choose the highest string at no less than a .012 gauge, and the lowest at no less than .060. Of course, there is an enormous range on offer, depending on how you tune your guitar - for 762mm scale length guitars, you can even buy sets which range from .029 to .094, which is getting dangerously close to e-basses. Standard sets by the major manufacturers usually cover ranges from .012 - .068, .013 - .062, .014 - .068 or .013 - .072. You can usually find thicker strings, but thinner ones are not necessarily available.

The Elixir Baritone String Set ranges from 012 to 068

Tuning

Looking around for information on baritone guitars online, you'll find that some of the discussions on their tuning can get pretty passionate on the relevant forums. While there is a faction that tunes to B1–E2–A2–D3–F♯3–B3, thus staying a perfect fourth lower than the standard guitar, others prefer to keep a perfect fifth lower, i.e. A1–D2–G2–C3–E3–A3. These two tunings are now the standard tunings for the baritone guitar, but you can also tune yours to Bb, and anyway, there's no limit to your experimentation. This is especially true if the rest of your band's instruments are tuned to standard - then, your baritone guitar can make ideal use of its special position. It closes the frequency gap between the guitar and the bass, has its own characteristic timbre and offers the opportunity to expand chords and thereby voicings. This is far more than is offered by a seven-string guitar, for example, which features only a single additional deeper B-string, which you have to get used to in the first place. Furthermore, with many 7-string guitars the strings are placed more closely together which makes for less comfortable playing, especially if you rarely use it and normally keep playing "regular" guitars.

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