I've wanted to try a Baritone for a while and this popped up on gumtree about 20 mins from my house so I thought I'd have a punt.
The internet seems to think the squier vintage modified baritone jazzmaster is one of the best affordable baritones.
It's a bit of a beast, the 30" scale takes a bit of getting used to. I tried a nice supro baritone which was a 26.75” scale and it was more comfortable... but it was £600 more
That said its not too much of a reach and it's an interesting thing to have around, and great fun. I do like a dark guitar sound so it's right up my street.
I think I'll hang onto it as it wasn't too much cash and I think its something different to pick up now and again.
I wasn't sure about the NONE MORE BLACK! look, but its grown on me.
it was this kind of stuff that got me interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqV3eDQd5as&t=40shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EooxUCzV20 - around 23:00
Comments
Though fully stock, it was also great. The Danelectro style bridge has its vibe and the stock pickups are also cool. As to what use you will get out of it, I can't say. It is definitely worthy of regular use, and also quite versatile in terms of genres where it would work.
The Baritone JMs are definitely a bit more "guitar like" than "bass like" with their longer scale. You can do some bending and regular "guitar stuff" on it, whereas some other baritones are a bit more like short scale basses.
I do think they are something worth a try though.
I write this as somebody who bends bass strings. This is actually easier to do on bass strings because they are spaced further apart.
*edit* Found it, these all look cool! https://www.gearnews.com/namm-2020-leak-squier-paranormal-series/
They announced a bunch of alternate reality series guitars at winter Namm 2019 and they are only just starting to come through in dribs and drabs now