The new Taylor 326e Baritones-6 and 8 strings Fall LTDs . . .What do you think?

[hoosierpicker]

Since receiving the Fall Wood and Steel I have fallen for the new 326e baritone models. The Tasmanian Blackwood back and sides with Mahogany top with shaded edgeburst is truly beautiful and has given me a real bad case of GAS! I have never played a baritone guitar of any brand, but with age I have trouble singing songs that I use to be able to sing, and thought a baritone guitar might be the answer. I would like to hear your opinion on these guitars, especially from those who have owned a baritone guitar. I  would also like opinions on whether you would go with the 6 or 8 string. Do you think it would be a guitar that would be played a lot, or like a 12 string just for certain songs? Any and all comments appreciated! Thanks!

[jjrpilot-admin]

Hi Hoosier!
Unfortunately I can't speak to the baritone part but I can speak to the Mahogany/Tasmanian blackwood part. Tomorrow my local dealer is placing an order for me for the 324.

The wood combo in my opinion is one of the best offerings right now. I fell in love with the sound it made. Warm bass, meaty mids and trebles that were there but not overpowering as they can be sometimes say with a spruce top etc. Taylor struck gold with this wood combo. I played it at a find your fit event and ever since then I literally couldn't shake the sound.

Mine should arrive in Jan....the wait begins...

[hoosierpicker]

Thanks! It's good to know that the wood combination has a great sound! My dealer just recently sold their only baritone, which was a 326e mahogany/sapele and won't have another for a while.

[DennisG]

I owned a Martin baritone for about two years.  I used it on about 5 percent of the songs I'd do, and ultimately decided to sell it for that reason and because they tend to get muddy-sounding when strummed.  The same was true of Taylor's previous-generation (pre-Andy) of baritones.  I came to the conclusion that these guitars (of any brand) are at their best when fingerpicked.

Having said that, I'm very curious about the new 326 baritone, and if Andy somehow managed to overcome the muddiness, I'd be very inclined to buy one.  My dealer is getting one in at the beginning of December, and I'll take it for a test drive then.

[telecaster]

I bought a 326e baritone8 a little while ago, and I like it a lot!
I agree that it seems to best suited to fingerpicking, and it takes
some time to get used to, but I am slowly getting to know the guitar
and learn how to use it. Its av very different beast, but when I play
together with others it blends really good in.
This video is the reason I wanted a 8 string baritone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDbYbdd4Qn0

(sorry I dont know how to get a youtube window)

[MB]

I owned a 320e SLTD (2014) baritone 6 string. It had a beautiful mahogany top and sapele back and sides.
At first it was a novelty and I did use it on a few recordings but eventually it ended up not getting much playing time.

The three issues I had with the bari were the mud factor, the scale and the string gauges.
The hog top was quite dark (muddy) and the longer 27" scale made for long stretches with the fretting hand.
Add to that the very heavy gauged strings (16-70) and my fretting hand was not happy. After a year and a half, I sold it.

I  did play a spruce top 8 string version in a music store and it was not as muddy as the mahogany top.
At the end of the day it's up to you. I'd recommend you find one to audition for yourself and see what you think.

Good luck!

[Greg D]

I'm first time to the forum.  Based on reading everything I can about Taylor's baritone 8, I know I want one, but I'm considering having Taylor's custom shop do one in Koa.  Mahogany, they say, takes a while to open up, as does Koa, but I'd like to know 1) anyone have any experience with a baritone in Koa and 2) anyone have experience in dealing with Taylor's custom shop?

[Cooperro]

I've been calling around, but no one has one in South Florida for me to try. When do you guys/gals think they'll become available for us to try? I know Sweetwater has them, but I'd like to try before I buy and avoid the hassle of a possible return, etc.

[mgap]

I know you indicated interest in the 326e baritone, but I saw a baritone over at Wildwood guitars and it is first off drop dead gorgeous !  It has a Sitka top with quilted Mahogany.  Oh My Gosh is that wood beautiful.  Greg Koch makes sound fantastic as well.

Here you go:
https://wildwoodguitars.com/product/1102126080/516e-ltd-baritone-6/?cat_id=180

[TaylorGirl]

I know you indicated interest in the 326e baritone, but I saw a baritone over at Wildwood guitars and it is first off drop dead gorgeous !  It has a Sitka top with quilted Mahogany.  Oh My Gosh is that wood beautiful.  Greg Koch makes sound fantastic as well.

Here you go:
https://wildwoodguitars.com/product/1102126080/516e-ltd-baritone-6/?cat_id=180

Wow, that is the most beautiful baritone I've seen....front and back! Thanks for sharing.

[Shoreline Music]

My own experience is that I'm better off not picking up the 326e Baritone 8 when I'm at work—more than most guitars, I find it's one I can't put down, and that means more time spent goofing off and less time spent working. Every "normal" song just takes on a new character played on that instrument, and I find myself digging deep into the archives to see how this or that song from long ago sounds on this cool little guitar.

John

[Jersey tuning]

I really enjoy my Alvarez 6-string baritone, which I primarily play fingerstyle.  That low bass rumble coupled with the movement of the back of the guitar has a real organic feel, somewhat like my 1930 parlor-sized Martin.  The baritone has led me to buy--and learn--5 string electric bass.  By simply tuning the baritone F# 2nd string up to G(and ignoring the high B string), I replicate the pitches of my bass, converting my baritone into a great home practice bass instrument instead of plugging in my electric.  just another out-in-left-field perspective from a newbie garage band bass player. 

Also check out the article in the most recent Acoustic Guitar magazine about playing bass on your acoustic guitar in a jam setting.................