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I've had an inquiry about the possibility of building someone a baritone classical guitar. Has anyone here built or know about these who's brain I can poke for ideas regarding size, shape, bracing etc?

Thanks,
Pat

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Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
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In the last 18 month , I have built both a classical bass guitar (4 strings 34" scale Saverez nylon core strings) and a 7 string classical on which the lower 6 strings would be in baritone range.
The first thing to do would be to define the tuning range the client wants as there is no definition of baritone that is universal.
On the 7 string, I wanted a low air resonance so went with a fairly flexible body and small soundhole. the result seems happy with tuning the low string at B or down to A.
I used 650 scale length, one constraint was fitting it into a standard classical case with the longer 7 string head and my preference for a 13 fret body join. 665 may be a better choice for a baritone.
Nothing really too different on bracing.

I did one with a 27" scale tuned C to C (2 steps below standard) with slightly larger strings to give it the same tension profile as a normal classic guitar. The body size and bracing was the same as a standard classical with a body join at the 13th fret, so basically a normal classic guitar with an extra fret and larger strings. It turned out pretty well but chords can sound muddy; clarity and separation of notes is not its strong suit. If I do another the only change I will make is a little stiffer bracing or a little higher string tension. It is somewhat counter-intuitive: you don't need a larger or floppier body for added bass... on a standard classic guitar the scale length and larger strings will get you that automatically. In other words, in my opinion a good treble response makes a great baritone. Just my opinion of course.

IIRC, Matt Mustapick made a nice nylon string baritone and posted about it somewhere... if you search around you might find some info on it.

Send Matt an email from his website and I'd bet he'd answer you. He's a good guy.

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Waddy

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Thanks for the tips guys. The inquiry has firmed up into an order so I will indeed take careful consideration of all advice.

Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.