Alvarez Baritone at a blowout price at Musician's Fiend
 

Yes, the fiends at Musician's Fiend have offered another great Stupid Deal of the Day, this time on an Alvarez baritone guitar. I've been playing an acoustic baritone guitar since 1999, and find it to be an invaluable asset. I use my handbuilt McAlister baritone on a regular basis. It's a great guitar.

This Alvarez is not on the same quality level as my McAlister, but I've played several and think they're fine. I can think of no better way to familiarize yourself with the instrument. $300 and it's yours.



Oldguy64 in KCK posted the original thread pointing this out, for which I thank him.

Here's the link:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid


Hope this helps and that some of you manage to snag one of these.


Wade Hampton Miller

PS: For those who expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the factory original electronics in this model, what do you expect for $300? The electronics are easily replaced.

I was tempted by this earlier today when I looked at the MF website for the first time in several weeks--and there it was! Had to be fate, right? But then I saw the Stupid Deal is only $100 off, so I decided to wait for something in an even stupider deal. Have to admit it looks good for that money though, and I love a baritone.

I bought my ABT-60 in 2014.
Paid US $450 which included shipping to Australia.
Straight acoustic version - no factory pick-up system.
No hard case ( I later found a brand new case labelled as 'acoustic bass' which is a perfect fit)

I've had a lot of fun with mine.
I see it as a very good entry level introduction to acoustic baritone guitars.

What's a baritone?

Long-scale guitar, Usually from 26" to 30" long, tuned from C to C (on the 1st and 6th strings, with the other 4 tuned down the same amount, 1 1/2 step in this case)) to B to B or even A to A. Think a guitar tuned down to the equivalent of the 9th to 5th fret, but an octave lower.

If you click on the link in Wade's original post, you'll see a nice concise description to answer your question.

I love the sound of a baritone guitar.

Here is a review of the ABT60, which seems to be similar to the model MF currently has on sale:



Listen to the fingerstyle starting at the 2:27 mark. What a wonderful sound.

Unfortunately I am just a beginner who already has too many guitars. I think having a baritone at this point would just be a distraction.

Perhaps. Also a slight risk if your technique isn't up to par. The action tends to be a tad higher and fret spacing is wider due to the longer scale length. I feel like I have to be a lot more mindful of my fretting technique when I play mine since I have very small hands.

If a standard 6-string acoustic guitar and an acoustic bass guitar had a love child - it would be a baritone.:)

With low string tension and a 1 13/16th "nut the Alvarez Baritone is actually quite easy to play.
Some people think that the string spacing is too tight but I like it.
My action is low. Just at the point of buzz when played hard.
I installed a pickup in mine for when I need more volume.
I have only used the pickup once.
This thing is a lot louder than I expected.

Funny to see this thread here for me. I just started a similar thread for this on the Canadian Guitar Forum. It's a pretty sweet deal.

You know I have been thinking about one of these for a while don't you?

Evil enabler you are. It's getting old Wade. Really. I mean, I still have that Larrivee Parlor from the first run way back in the RMMGA days.

But 3 bills... Still have to get a case but still, and I like the shadeburst.

Thanks for the tip! Ordered! :)

Never played one before but can't wait to try!

I also succumbed to Wade's machinations.

Ordered the Baritone and dropped another 90 bucks on the Alvarez case.


Edit to add: Re the discussion in the other thread, it looks like the electronics are the newer soundhole mounted controls (at least in the pic it looks that way). Hopping it shows up as pictured with either no pickguard or with a clear one since I never learned how to hold a flatpick anyway.

The pickguard comes off easily with a little heat and some dental floss.