southcoastukes
Well-known member
Good evening Ian et al,
Hardly know what to say here. The linear key of G is DGBE – GCEA is key of C. I probably should have used the word “heavy” instead of “thick” in referring to the strings. Just the same, whatever strings that are tuned to key of G on a 26” scale (guitar) can’t be tuned to the same key on a scale of 20” (baritone uke).
I think you have the feeling that somehow I was attacking the Baritone Uke. Just the opposite – I am trying to give it a new life. My “source” for the marketing strategy for the Baritone is admittedly somewhat faded memories. The Baritone is about the same age as I am, but it was Arthur Godfrey who convinced me (on early TV) to convince my Dad to get me one – a Harmony. The phrase “every boy should have one” also remains clear, and I was not the only boy in the neighborhood who persuaded his Dad.
I moved onto guitar, then gave up music altogether for awhile. I had moved to Central America, and started seeing a lot of Calypso bands playing Cuatros – somewhat like a Baritone. That got me back into music again, and the first instrument I picked up was another baritone – a Giannini – one of the best instruments I have ever owned.
Curiosity moved me to get a Tenor Guitar (actually several), and immediately I realized the limitations of a Baritone in “guitar” or as they say in the tenor guitar world “Chicago” tuning. I started looking for a way to produce a Tenor Parlour Guitar for classical strings (the old ones are steel strung) and at the same time, I also started looking for new tunings for my beloved Giannini.
These were really most of the genesis of Southcoast Ukes. We succeeded way beyond my expectations. I know there aren’t any other “big giant ukes” around like our Cuatro or Tenor Guitar, but trust me a little bit – in key of G they are just much better performers than a baritone.
What you can do, however, is try a Baritone in linear C tuning – and without wound strings. We make a set for this (and think it’s best), but I am sure there are other ways to do it. This is not to say you shouldn’t enjoy a guitar-tuned baritone. I like to play our long-neck concerts tuned down to key of A. I just like the sound, even though I know it’s not the set-up that shows off the instruments’ full potential.
Remember that the tenor uke was reviled for years as a corporate gimmick. Finally when players found tunings other than the high re-entrant G it was originally marketed with (another guitar based tuning – get the picture?), it began to lose its negative image and gain in popularity. I just think that a similar switch could do the same for the poor, ignored Baritone. Think it’s better in linear C than the Tenor Uke!
Hardly know what to say here. The linear key of G is DGBE – GCEA is key of C. I probably should have used the word “heavy” instead of “thick” in referring to the strings. Just the same, whatever strings that are tuned to key of G on a 26” scale (guitar) can’t be tuned to the same key on a scale of 20” (baritone uke).
I think you have the feeling that somehow I was attacking the Baritone Uke. Just the opposite – I am trying to give it a new life. My “source” for the marketing strategy for the Baritone is admittedly somewhat faded memories. The Baritone is about the same age as I am, but it was Arthur Godfrey who convinced me (on early TV) to convince my Dad to get me one – a Harmony. The phrase “every boy should have one” also remains clear, and I was not the only boy in the neighborhood who persuaded his Dad.
I moved onto guitar, then gave up music altogether for awhile. I had moved to Central America, and started seeing a lot of Calypso bands playing Cuatros – somewhat like a Baritone. That got me back into music again, and the first instrument I picked up was another baritone – a Giannini – one of the best instruments I have ever owned.
Curiosity moved me to get a Tenor Guitar (actually several), and immediately I realized the limitations of a Baritone in “guitar” or as they say in the tenor guitar world “Chicago” tuning. I started looking for a way to produce a Tenor Parlour Guitar for classical strings (the old ones are steel strung) and at the same time, I also started looking for new tunings for my beloved Giannini.
These were really most of the genesis of Southcoast Ukes. We succeeded way beyond my expectations. I know there aren’t any other “big giant ukes” around like our Cuatro or Tenor Guitar, but trust me a little bit – in key of G they are just much better performers than a baritone.
What you can do, however, is try a Baritone in linear C tuning – and without wound strings. We make a set for this (and think it’s best), but I am sure there are other ways to do it. This is not to say you shouldn’t enjoy a guitar-tuned baritone. I like to play our long-neck concerts tuned down to key of A. I just like the sound, even though I know it’s not the set-up that shows off the instruments’ full potential.
Remember that the tenor uke was reviled for years as a corporate gimmick. Finally when players found tunings other than the high re-entrant G it was originally marketed with (another guitar based tuning – get the picture?), it began to lose its negative image and gain in popularity. I just think that a similar switch could do the same for the poor, ignored Baritone. Think it’s better in linear C than the Tenor Uke!
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