Convert your Acoustic to a Baritone, or a Bb Guitar

[rick-slo]

The heavier gauge strings will definitely play sharper and sharper as you fret up the neck compared to the more normal gauge strings.
It's less of an issue when increased scale length and other setup compensations go along with increased string gauges - thus in part the
value of a longer scale length in baritone guitars. Since some may hear this it is an issue and cause for others to be aware of when playing
around with string gauges.

[jim1960]

He raised a valid point. Increasing string gauge is going to effect intonation to some degree. This isn't some unfamiliar science he invented for this conversation. Some people's ears are more sensitive to those changes than others. I'm less sensitive to those changes.

[GuitarinBb]

Originally Posted by jim1960

He raised a valid point. Increasing string gauge is going to effect intonation to some degree. This isn't some unfamiliar science he invented for this conversation. Some people's ears are more sensitive to those changes than others. I'm less sensitive to those changes.

I understand all this well enough, and realize that when breaking the "rules" there is a point of pushing too far or a point of diminishing returns. Stats point to a certain likelihood of reality or prediction, but they don't tell a story, but they may contribute to one's ability to tell said story. I'm much more interested in the story.

[s11141827]

Magma makes Transpositor Acoustic Strings

[Mycroft]

Sweet baby Jesus in a ditch, I must have been drinking a lot of coffee on April 8, 2018.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by GuitarinBb

I realize this is a bit tongue in cheek and that it seems in the string world people don't look at it this way, but in the world of horns, and possibly other instruments, I think often called transposing instruments, if according to a fingering chart you are playing a "C", or according to written music for that instrument you are playing a "C", but according to a tuner, or say a piano (a non-transposing instrument) you would be playing a Bb, then that instrument is said to be in Bb. Some common examples of this would be trumpet, tenor sax, soprano sax. If you think you're playing a C but the world hears an Eb, then it's said to be an Eb horn, ie an alto sax, or a bari sax. I know guitarists don't think this way, but since I come from the horn world, I do.

I always thought trumpets were in C, My sax is a C melody (as opposed to Bb or Eb) and was told they were made so the player could use piano or trumpet music without transposing.

[Jwills57]

Some of this discussion is a bit technical for me. I'll only say that I have two wonderful baritone guitars by the American luthier Steve Saville, same model, both with East Indian Rosewood, one with a Carpathian top and one with a Cedar top. They were designed to be tuned a full step down, D-D, and played with medium gauge strings. These are just really cool, really beautiful guitars that give an entirely different sort of sonic perspective. I have also used them for playing in alternate tunings, also very cool.

[L20A]

I'm a bit confused with what all this terminology however, I play an 8 string Alvarez and it is lowered one full step.
So to me, the guitar is now tuned D to D.
I use medium gauge strings when I tune it this way.

[Guitars44me]

WAY Too much technical info, for my poor head this morning.

If it sounds good, it IS good.

John K built my customs to sound spectacular in D concert or open D with elixir HD lights and 25” scale. He succeeded wonderfully.

Paul