Here is a Walden BB103E-H Baritone Acoustic Guitar. This guitar is a one off item from a previous run of these instruments. Presented here is the original description from the first production series.
For years, we’ve been convinced that many guitar players would love to add a Baritone guitar to their stable of guitars but were held back but the high price tag of these specialized instruments. Over the past NAMM shows we’ve made it our mission to find an “offshore” guitar maker willing to produce a low priced Baritone guitar – but on a limited basis. Many were agreeable provided we could order several hundred guitars!
During the search we had the pleasure to meet Jonathan Lee, the head Luthier in charge of new design at Walden Guitars. Jonathan lives and works from Oregon and is involved in most of the development and quality control systems at the Walden guitar factory in China. Jonathan spoke at length about our ideal Baritone features and price limitations.
At that time, we promptly forgot about it and went on with life – but little did we know Jonathan set things in motion with preliminary designs and 18 months later, the Walden Baritone guitar is now back in production.
Needless to say, we are very pleased with the quality of woods, materials and tone from the Walden Baritone.
DETAILS:
- Standard Baritone guitar, tuned down one 4th; “B to B” using the same intervals as a standard acoustic guitar: B-E-A-D-F#-B.
- To improve bass output, the offset sound-hole frees up more.
- Sound-board surface in front of the bridge to vibrate fully at the frequencies produced by the Low-B 6th string.
- A side-port has been added to boost bass response further. Walden theorizes that the added side-port allows the sound-box to vibrate more freely, similar to the principal of porting on speaker cabinets. Many of high-end handmade classical and steel string guitars routinely come with side-ports and the added bass boost is clearly audible.
- The Walden Baritone uses the best materials throughout — solid Sitka Top with laminate rosewood back and sides. Frankly I am convinced that much of the full bass response is due to the reflective qualities and the rigidity of the laminate back and sides. Plus, lamination keeps the price down.
- The finish is satin Nitrocellulose lacquer.
- The fretboard and bridge are an unnamed tropical hardwood similar to rosewood.
- The body is tastefully trimmed in a rosewood binding with added abalone trim on the sound hole rosette.
- Body shape is Grand Auditorium; scale length 26 ¾”, nut width 1 13/16”
- Fishman Prefix Plus T pickup
- Case included.
