Best Baritone Guitars For Metal [2023 Edition]

Danelectro Baritone

Looking for the best baritone guitars for metal? Check out our comprehensive guide featuring the top seven guitars, including their main specs and PROs

When it comes to playing metal, the right guitar can make all the difference. For metal guitarists who want to go low and heavy, a baritone guitar is a must-have.

These guitars are designed with longer necks and lower tunings that provide the deep, rumbling tones that make metal music so powerful.

But with such a limited amount of baritone guitars on the market, it can be tough to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best baritone guitars for metal. We’ve played and tested a bunch in the past 12 months and the ones included below are our current top picks for right now – so, mid-way through 2023.

Best For Beginners & First Timers?

But for the absolute first-timer, the best option on this list right now is the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster.

Why? Simple: it’s relatively cheap (compared to the other options), is great for modding, and it plays beautifully.

For an overview of the best of the best baritone guitars for metal, here are our top picks for right now…

Best Baritone Guitars For Metal

Editor’s Choice
  • 5.0
  • Pros:
    • Wide neck profile for comfortable playing
    • Excellent sustain and tone
    • High-quality construction and materials
    • Versatile pickup options for different styles of metal
    • PRS SE quality and craftsmanship at an affordable price
Best For First Timers / Modding
Best Vintage Style
  • 4.0
  • Pros:
    • Affordable price point
    • Unique “lipstick” pickup design for clear and bright tones
    • Lightweight and comfortable to play
    • Distinctive retro look
    • Comes with a gig bag for easy transport
Best For Professionals / Studio
  • 5.0
  • Pros:
    • High-end construction and materials
    • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
    • Thin U-shaped neck profile for fast playing
    • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
    • Perfect for professional and studio use
Best For Shredding / Live
  • 5.0
  • Pros:
    • Neck-through-body design for maximum sustain and stability
    • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
    • Extra-long scale length for ultra-low tunings
    • High-quality hardware and construction
    • Sleek and stylish look with black matte finish
Best For Modern Metal
  • 5.0
  • Pros:
    • Versatile pickup options with multiple voicings and coil tapping
    • High-quality construction and hardware for reliable performance
    • Comfortable and ergonomic design for long playing sessions
    • Perfect for heavy and aggressive playing styles
    • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
Best For Vintage Era Rock / Blues
  • 4.5
  • Pros:
    • Unique chambered body design for excellent resonance and tone
    • Classic Gretsch look and style
    • Versatile pickup options for different playing styles
    • Smooth and comfortable playing experience
    • Awesome Pickups
Editor’s Choice
5.0
Pros:
  • Wide neck profile for comfortable playing
  • Excellent sustain and tone
  • High-quality construction and materials
  • Versatile pickup options for different styles of metal
  • PRS SE quality and craftsmanship at an affordable price
Best For First Timers / Modding
4.3
Pros:
  • Classic Style
  • Fast Neck
  • Great For Modding
  • Sounds Great Out The Box
  • Very Cheap For A Baritone
Best Vintage Style
4.0
Pros:
  • Affordable price point
  • Unique “lipstick” pickup design for clear and bright tones
  • Lightweight and comfortable to play
  • Distinctive retro look
  • Comes with a gig bag for easy transport
Best For Professionals / Studio
5.0
Pros:
  • High-end construction and materials
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Thin U-shaped neck profile for fast playing
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
  • Perfect for professional and studio use
Best For Shredding / Live
5.0
Pros:
  • Neck-through-body design for maximum sustain and stability
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Extra-long scale length for ultra-low tunings
  • High-quality hardware and construction
  • Sleek and stylish look with black matte finish
Best For Modern Metal
5.0
Pros:
  • Versatile pickup options with multiple voicings and coil tapping
  • High-quality construction and hardware for reliable performance
  • Comfortable and ergonomic design for long playing sessions
  • Perfect for heavy and aggressive playing styles
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
Best For Vintage Era Rock / Blues
4.5
Pros:
  • Unique chambered body design for excellent resonance and tone
  • Classic Gretsch look and style
  • Versatile pickup options for different playing styles
  • Smooth and comfortable playing experience
  • Awesome Pickups

PRS SE 277 (Editor’s Pick)

PRS SE 277

The PRS SE 277 is our top pick for the best baritone guitar for metal. This guitar features a 27.7″ scale length and a wide-fat neck profile, making it perfect for low tunings and heavy playing.

The PRS SE 277 Baritone features a mahogany body and a maple top with a beautiful flame maple veneer. The mahogany construction provides a warm, resonant tone, while the maple top adds brightness and clarity.

The guitar’s 22-fret mahogany neck is adorned with a rosewood fingerboard and PRS bird inlays, a signature design element for PRS guitars. A 27.7″ scale length ensures optimal string tension for down-tuning, making it the perfect choice for players seeking to explore lower registers.

The hardware on the PRS SE 277 Baritone includes a PRS-designed plate-style bridge, which offers excellent intonation and sustain. The guitar also features PRS-designed tuners that ensure accurate and stable tuning.

Main Specs:

  • 27.7″ scale length
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
  • Two 85/15 “S” humbucking pickups

PROs:

  • Wide-fat neck profile for comfortable playing
  • Excellent sustain and tone
  • High-quality construction and materials
  • Versatile pickup options for different styles of metal
  • PRS SE quality and craftsmanship at an affordable price

Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster – Best For Value For Money

baritone telecaster

For metal guitarists who want a baritone guitar that combines power and versatility, the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster is a great option. This guitar features a unique design that blends vintage and modern styles, along with a range of features that make it perfect for metal playing.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster, including its main specs and PROs.

Main Specs

  • 28.6″ scale length
  • Poplar body with gloss polyurethane finish
  • Maple neck with “C” shape profile and Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Dual Squier Alnico V single-coil pickups

PROs

  • Unique Design: The Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster features a distinctive design that combines vintage and modern elements. The telecaster-style body and headstock provide a classic look, while the baritone scale length and extended range provide a modern edge.
  • Versatile Sound: The Squier Alnico V single-coil pickups deliver a range of tones that are perfect for metal playing. Whether you’re looking for clean and crisp tones or heavy distortion, these pickups deliver the goods.
  • Excellent Playability: The “C” shape neck profile and Indian Laurel fretboard provide a comfortable and smooth playing experience, even for extended playing sessions. The longer scale length also allows for lower tunings and a wider range of playing options.
  • High-Quality Construction: Despite its affordable price point, the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster is built with high-quality materials and construction. The poplar body and gloss polyurethane finish provide durability and longevity, while the maple neck and fretboard provide excellent tone and sustain.
  • Great Value: Compared to other baritone guitars on the market, the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster offers excellent value for its price. It delivers a range of features and tones that are perfect for metal guitarists on a budget.

Danelectro Baritone

Danelectro Baritone

If you’re looking for a great baritone guitar at an affordable price, the Danelectro Baritone is the way to go. This guitar features a 29.75″ scale length and a unique “lipstick” pickup design that delivers clear, bright tones with plenty of bite.

The Danelectro Baritone Guitar is a unique instrument that offers a range of features that set it apart from other guitars.

The guitar features a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a semi-hollow body that delivers a warm, rich tone. The scale length is 29.75 inches, which allows for lower tuning and extended range.

The guitar also features dual Lipstick pickups, a 3-way pickup selector, and individual tone and volume controls.

When it comes to sound, the Danelectro Baritone Guitar truly shines.

The Lipstick pickups provide a unique sound that is both clear and bright, yet still warm and full-bodied. The extended range of the guitar allows for lower tuning, which produces a deep, rich tone that is perfect for a range of genres, from rock to country to blues.

The guitar is also incredibly versatile, allowing for a wide range of playing styles, from fingerpicking to strumming.

Main Specs:

  • 29.75″ scale length
  • Masonite body with wood frame
  • Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
  • Single “lipstick” pickup

PROs:

  • Affordable price point
  • Unique “lipstick” pickup design for clear and bright tones
  • Lightweight and comfortable to play
  • Distinctive retro look
  • Comes with a gig bag for easy transport

ESP E-II M-II 7B

ESP E-II M-II 7B

For the serious metal guitarist who wants the best of the best, the ESP E-II M-II 7B is the way to go. This premium baritone guitar features a 27″ scale length and a thin U-shaped neck profile for fast and comfortable playing.

The ESP E-II M-II-7B Baritone Evertune has a sleek and modern design that is sure to catch anyone’s attention. The guitar features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, which gives it a premium look and feel.

The neck is made of maple and has a thin U-shaped profile, which makes it easy and comfortable to play. The guitar also has a rosewood fretboard with 24 extra-jumbo frets, which allows for easy and fast playing.

The ESP E-II M-II-7B Baritone Evertune is known for its excellent sound quality. The guitar is equipped with two Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups, which deliver a powerful and aggressive tone.

The guitar also has an Evertune bridge, which ensures that the guitar stays in tune, even after hours of playing. This feature is particularly useful for guitarists who perform live or record in a studio, as it eliminates the need for constant tuning.

The guitar is capable of producing a wide range of tones, from clean and bright to heavy and distorted. This makes it suitable for a variety of genres, including metal, rock, and jazz. The guitar also has a coil-splitting feature, which allows the player to switch between single-coil and humbucker sounds, adding to its versatility.

Main Specs:

  • 27″ scale length
  • Alder body with maple top
  • Maple neck with ebony fretboard
  • Two EMG 81-7 active humbucking pickups

PROs:

  • High-end construction and materials
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Thin U-shaped neck profile for fast playing
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
  • Perfect for professional and studio use

ESP LTD BB-600

ESP LTD BB-600

The ESP LTD BB-600 is a sleek and powerful baritone guitar that’s perfect for heavy metal players. This guitar features a 27″ scale length and a thin U-shaped neck profile for fast and comfortable playing, along with a set of powerful Fishman Fluence pickups.

The ESP LTD BB-600 features a sleek and modern design that’s perfect for the stage. The body is made from high-quality mahogany and has a beautiful flame maple top.

The neck is also made from mahogany and has a thin U shape that’s comfortable to play for extended periods. The guitar also features a set of locking tuners that keep it in tune, even during aggressive playing.

The high-quality materials used in its construction ensure that it can withstand the rigors of touring and heavy use. The guitar also comes with a hardshell case, which provides additional protection during transport.

Main Specs:

  • 27″ scale length
  • Mahogany body with maple top
  • Three-piece maple neck with ebony fretboard
  • Fishman Fluence Modern humbucking pickups

PROs:

  • Versatile pickup options with multiple voicings and coil tapping
  • High-quality construction and hardware for reliable performance
  • Comfortable and ergonomic design for long playing sessions
  • Perfect for heavy and aggressive playing styles
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage

Ibanez Iron Label RGIB21

Ibanez Iron Label RGIB21

The Ibanez Iron Label RGIB21 is a beast of a baritone guitar that’s perfect for metal guitarists who want maximum power and aggression. This guitar features a 28″ scale length and a neck-through-body design for maximum sustain and stability.

The Ibanez Iron Label RGIB21 Black has many features that make it stand out from the competition. It features a solid mahogany body, a 3-piece maple/bubinga neck, and a bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets.

The guitar also features two active EMG 60 and 81 pickups, which provide a powerful and versatile tone.

The active EMG pickups provide a wide range of tones that are perfect for heavy metal, rock, and other genres that require a powerful and clear sound.

The mahogany body and ebony fingerboard also contribute to the guitar’s overall sound quality, providing a warm and rich tone that is perfect for lead and rhythm playing.

Its high-end features, outstanding sound quality, and exceptional playability make it a top choice for professional guitarists who demand the best. If you’re in the market for a high-quality baritone guitar for metal, be sure to give the RGIB21 a closer look.

Main Specs:

  • 28″ scale length
  • Mahogany body with ash top
  • 3-piece maple/purpleheart neck with bound ebony fretboard
  • EMG 60/81 active humbucking pickups

PROs:

  • Neck-through-body design for maximum sustain and stability
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Extra-long scale length for ultra-low tunings
  • High-quality hardware and construction
  • Sleek and stylish look with black matte finish

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet

For the metal guitarist who wants a baritone guitar with a touch of classic style, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet is the way to go. This guitar features a 29.75″ scale length and a unique chambered body design that provides excellent resonance and tone.

The Gretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone has a classic design that harkens back to the golden age of rock and roll.

Its single-cutaway body is made from chambered mahogany, which gives it a warm and resonant tone. The guitar has a gloss black finish with chrome hardware, which gives it a sleek and stylish look.

The neck is made from maple and has a rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets.

The neck is bolt-on and has a comfortable C-shaped profile, which makes it easy to play. The guitar also has a classic “Jet” headstock with vintage-style tuners, which adds to its retro charm.

One of the standout features of the Gretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone is its high-output humbucking pickups.

These pickups are specifically designed for the lower range of a baritone guitar, and they deliver a powerful and articulate sound.

The guitar also has a three-way pickup selector switch, which allows you to choose between the neck, bridge, or both pickups.

The guitar has a scale length of 29.75 inches, which is longer than a standard guitar.

This longer scale length allows you to play in lower tunings without sacrificing clarity or intonation. The guitar also has a Adjusto-Matic bridge with a stop tailpiece, which helps to maintain tuning stability and sustain.

The humbucking pickups deliver a rich, full-bodied sound that is perfect for playing in lower tunings.

The longer scale length ensures that each note is clear and defined, even when playing chords or complex melodies.

The guitar has a versatile sound, which makes it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

Whether you’re playing rock, metal, blues, or country, the Gretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone can deliver the goods.

Main Specs:

  • 29.75″ scale length
  • Chambered mahogany body with arched maple top
  • Mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard
  • Black Top Broad’Tron humbucking pickups

PROs:

  • Unique chambered body design for excellent resonance and tone
  • Classic Gretsch look and style
  • Versatile pickup options for different playing styles
  • Smooth and comfortable playing experience
  • Comes with a gig bag for easy transport

Honorable Mention

Reverend Descent HC90

Reverend Descent HC90 (1)

The Reverend Descent H90 baritone guitar features a 26.75″ scale length and a unique body shape that provides excellent balance and comfort for playing.

The Reverend Descent H90 baritone guitar boasts a solid Korina body, a maple neck, and an ebony fretboard. It comes with a 26.75″ scale length, 22 medium jumbo frets, and a 1-11/16″ nut width.

The guitar’s sleek and modern design is bound to turn heads and make it stand out in any collection.

The Reverend Descent H90 comes equipped with two custom-designed humbucker pickups. These pickups deliver a warm, full-bodied sound that is perfect for playing in lower tunings.

The guitar also features a bass contour control knob, which allows you to dial in just the right amount of low-end response.

Its unique design, high-quality construction, and versatile sound make it an excellent choice for players of all skill levels. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting, the Reverend Descent H90 is a baritone guitar that you should seriously consider adding to your collection.

Main Specs:

  • 26.75″ scale length
  • Korina body and neck
  • Pau ferro fretboard
  • Railhammer Humcutter pickups

PROs:

  • Unique body shape for balance and comfort
  • Railhammer pickups for clear and powerful tones
  • High-quality construction and materials
  • Versatile playing experience with coil-tap options
  • Comes with a padded gig bag for easy transport

Recap of The Best Baritone Guitars For Metal

PRS SE 277
5.0

The PRS SE 277 is our top pick for the best baritone guitar for metal. This guitar features a 27.7″ scale length and a wide-fat neck profile, making it perfect for low tunings and heavy playing.

Pros:
  • Wide neck profile for comfortable playing
  • Excellent sustain and tone
  • High-quality construction and materials
  • Versatile pickup options for different styles of metal
  • PRS SE quality and craftsmanship at an affordable price
Danelectro Vintage Baritone
4.0

The guitar features a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a semi-hollow body that delivers a warm, rich tone. The scale length is 29.75 inches, which allows for lower tuning and extended range. It features dual Lipstick pickups, a 3-way pickup selector, and individual tone and volume controls. And it sounds like a dream. 


Pros:
  • Affordable price point
  • Unique “lipstick” pickup design for clear and bright tones
  • Lightweight and comfortable to play
  • Distinctive retro look
  • Comes with a gig bag for easy transport
ESP E-II M-II 7B
5.0

The guitar is equipped with two Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups, which deliver a powerful and aggressive tone. The guitar also has an Evertune bridge, which ensures that the guitar stays in tune, even after hours of playing. Capable of a wide range of tones, from clean and bright to heavy and distorted, it is perfect for metal, rock, and jazz


Pros:
  • High-end construction and materials
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Thin U-shaped neck profile for fast playing
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
  • Perfect for professional and studio use
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Ibanez RGIB21 Iron Label RG Baritone
5.0

The active EMG pickups provide a wide range of tones that are perfect for heavy metal, rock, and other genres that require a powerful and clear sound that is perfect for lead and rhythm playing. Its high-end features, outstanding sound quality, and exceptional playability make it a top choice for professional guitarists who demand the best

Pros:
  • Neck-through-body design for maximum sustain and stability
  • Active pickups for powerful and articulate tones
  • Extra-long scale length for ultra-low tunings
  • High-quality hardware and construction
  • Sleek and stylish look with black matte finish
Gretsch Guitars G5260T Electromatic Jet
4.5

One of the standout features of the Gretsch G5260 Electromatic Jet Baritone is its high-output humbucking pickups. These pickups are specifically designed for the lower range of a baritone guitar, and they deliver a powerful and articulate sound. The guitar also has a three-way pickup selector switch, which allows you to choose between the neck, bridge, or both pickups. This thing SCREAMS. 

Pros:
  • Unique chambered body design for excellent resonance and tone
  • Classic Gretsch look and style
  • Versatile pickup options for different playing styles
  • Smooth and comfortable playing experience
  • Awesome Pickups
ESP LTD EC-1000
5.0

The ESP LTD BB-600 is a sleek and powerful baritone guitar that’s perfect for heavy metal players. This guitar features a 27″ scale length and a thin U-shaped neck profile for fast and comfortable playing, along with a set of powerful Fishman Fluence pickups.

Pros:
  • Versatile pickup options with multiple voicings and coil tapping
  • High-quality construction and hardware for reliable performance
  • Comfortable and ergonomic design for long playing sessions
  • Perfect for heavy and aggressive playing styles
  • Comes with a hardshell case for protection and storage
Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster
4.5
$459.00

The Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster is a vision from the ’60s with its double-bound body. Great for surf, spaghetti western or any style of music where you need to get low, this Squier is an accessible instrument that sounds like an instant classic—credit the single-coil pickups, designed by Fender. 27” scale

Pros:
  • Unique Design: The Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster features a distinctive design that combines vintage and modern elements. The telecaster-style body and headstock provide a classic look, while the baritone scale length and extended range provide a modern edge.
  • Versatile Sound: The Squier Alnico V single-coil pickups deliver a range of tones that are perfect for metal playing. Whether you’re looking for clean and crisp tones or heavy distortion, these pickups deliver the goods.
  • Excellent Playability: The “C” shape neck profile and Indian Laurel fretboard provide a comfortable and smooth playing experience, even for extended playing sessions. The longer scale length also allows for lower tunings and a wider range of playing options.
  • High-Quality Construction: Despite its affordable price point, the Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster is built with high-quality materials and construction. The poplar body and gloss polyurethane finish provide durability and longe

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