Thinking of Raising the Tuning on My Baritone Guitar

General
1

I’m thinking about tuning my baritone guitar up to D standard or possibly drop C. I believe that using lighter gauge strings and adjusting the intonation should suffice, but is there anything else I should keep in mind?

Most of my regular-scale guitars are in standard tuning with lighter strings and single-coil pickups, which I typically use for math rock. However, I find that my baritone is better suited for high-gain styles, and I feel more at ease playing on its longer scale neck. What do you all suggest?

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2

That sounds like a fun experiment! If you’re tuning up, just make sure to check the tension on your neck. Sometimes, going to a higher tuning can put a bit of extra strain on the guitar.

3

Yeah, I’d definitely recommend keeping an eye on the intonation after you change your strings. It can make a huge difference in how your guitar sounds, especially with those heavier chords in drop C.

4

Also, consider using a thicker gauge for the lower strings. It might help maintain a fuller sound even when tuned higher.

5

Absolutely! I’ve found that using a slightly heavier gauge on the lower strings helps with clarity and sustain when tuning up.

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6

What pickups do you have on your baritone? If they’re high-output pickups, you might get a nice punchy sound in those tunings!

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7

For math rock, you might want to try some different pickup combinations too! It could give you some unique tones that blend well with your style.

8

I’m curious how the longer scale feels for you! I know some people find it easier to play faster riffs on baritones.

9

Exactly! The longer neck can really help with string bends too. Just remember to take your time adjusting to the feel of the higher tuning.

10

When you’re tuning up, be cautious of the tuning stability. Sometimes baritone guitars can be a bit finicky. A good set of locking tuners can help with that!

11

And don’t forget to play around with your pedal settings! Sometimes you’ll need to tweak your gain and EQ for those heavier tunings to really shine.

12

I’ve actually had success using a capo as a temporary way to test out different tunings before committing. You might find a sweet spot!

13

That’s a smart idea! Plus, you can get creative with voicings and chord shapes in the process.

14

Let us know how it goes! I’m curious about your experience with the baritone after the tuning change.