Questions regarding custom build baritone acoustic

[MaxT]

Hello everyone,

I am planning to have a baritone acoustic made. Just thought of dropping a few questions here to help me decide about the materials that will be used.

The plan is to have a very good price/quality ratio. I want an instrument that is built purely for sound and playability, no fancy stuff.

I am not decided yet about what kind of wood to use. I am looking for wood of high quality but not too expensive. Not looking for the cheapest you can find either.

I am a fingerstyle player, I play with finger pads instead of nails, except for thumb nail. I want an instrument that can take heavy strumming and light playing, so a broad dynamic range I guess. Willing to sacrifice some overtones for good fundamentals. Because it's a baritone it should of course have good bass response. The body will also be big.

Thanks for helping out,

Max

[Quickstep192]

Here’s one by Stephen Kinnaird in Claro Walnut and Sitka. It’s beautiful, but has no pearl. I think it sounds quite nice. I’m sure he’d be happy to make another.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EuKMagoQFNs

[MaxT]

Sounds really nice but I will have it made in a local shop in Belgium where I live.

[Bax Burgess]

What's the reasoning behind the thumb down icon?

[MaxT]

Oops, mistake. Thought it was a question mark.

[Bax Burgess]

Hard strumming, I would tend to avoid cedar as a first choice, wanting to avoid the top being overdriven to the point of becoming mushy/overdriven, - Sitka spruce should handle that and be sensitive enough for gentle fingerstyle. For back/sides, rosewood could very well generate more overtones than mahogany. So, Sitka spruce and mahogany.

[Bruce Sexauer]

What grows where your luthier lives? You would be hard pressed to beat the price of local materials. Or, what does your luthier have on hand?

[runamuck]

From what you describe, I'd say Indian Rosewood and Sitka or Lutz Spruce.

[MaxT]

Don't think there is a lot of good local wood in Belgium, will definitely ask what he has in stock.

[MaxT]

Sitka/rosewood, the classic combo. Also what I had in mind.
Is sitka the best spruce species for fingerstyle playing? What about engelmann?

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by MaxT

Sitka/rosewood, the classic combo. Also what I had in mind.
Is sitka the best spruce species for fingerstyle playing? What about engelmann?

I really think it depends on the particular wood being used and you should talk to your builder about that. But generally Sitka has more headroom than Englemann although generally, I would choose Englemann over Sitka for fingerpicking. But that's a BROAD generalization.

These really are questions to discuss with whoever you choose to build your guitar and not so much here.

[MaxT]

Originally Posted by runamuck

I really think it depends on the particular wood being used and you should talk to your builder about that. But generally Sitka has more headroom than Englemann although generally, I would choose Englemann over Sitka for fingerpicking. But that's a BROAD generalization.

These really are questions to discuss with whoever you choose to build your guitar and not so much here.

Certainly will discuss it extensively with the builder. Just thought to ask here first to get a picture in mind. Thanks for the info.

[tadol]

Since this in the context of a baritone, which I assume will be scale length 27-28” maybe, with heavy strumming, I think you’d be more than fine with a sitka top, and the b&s material will be far less important, more a question of your preference and what the builder thinks works - rosewood can get too many overtones and muddy when strumming a baritone, maple or mahogany may work better, but if you want the overtones, well -

[B. Howard]

Hard strum and soft finger picking? Sitka would be my first recommendation which would also be the cheapest option. The only other top I would recommend would be Engleman.

Back and sides? Mahogany would pair really nice with either top and again be the most cost effective choice. It is also a fairly neutral sounding wood and I think will add the least color to the tone.