Orion Baritone

[kob]

Can an Orion Baritone user describe the utility of the guitar and tunings used,etc.  Thanks

[the_8_string_king]

I'm not an owner of one of these fine instruments -unfortunately- but they're tuned a 4th lower than standard, that is B E A D F# B.
 
Their longer scale length changes the character in an appropriate way. Just as an extra length of scale improves the B string on basses, slapping a low B on a standard length guitar often results in a floppy string with less clarity. The extra scale length gives it proportionally more focus and appropriate character for it's range. The low B string is hard and firm, and powerful. (I know, my friend has several 7 and 8 string guitars.)
 
Tuningwise, anything you could do with a regular guitar, you can do with a Baritone.

[hydrargyrum]

I used to own a Baritone Orion.  I spend a lot of time wishing I had it back too.  I tuned as mentioned above, and had little difficulty adjusting from a standard six string.  Bending is obviously a bit stiffer with heavier strings and increased scale length.  It was great for low end rythm, and you could play some pseudo bass lines, then work your way up for some lead too.  They sound really thunderous and full.

[pace]

I am the current owner of Hydragyrum's Baritone.... If I ever decided to part with it, I promised Kevin he'd have first dibs on it, but dont hold your breath Kev....  
 
Mine is currently tuned A to A, with LaBella strings. One thing I am glad that I did was to replace the bass & treble boost/cut knobs for a LP filter & Q switch, the 3way pup selector was replaced with a pan knob~ sonically this opened up the guitars range quite a bit. With the filter open all the way, and the bridge pup on, it has enough bite/snap/twang for honky-tonk & country type rhythm stuff.... The extended range also  allows for numerous alternate chord voicings (a capo on the 7th fret would be equivalent to a standard tuning, so there's a ton of new territory)...  And when the pan is set towards the neck pup with the filter rolled off, I can pretty much double as a bass player (w/ a pick) if need be!!!!  
 
I have a couple of students who are really into a lot of current metal~ stuff in  C, C#, dropped B, etc etc. Instead of bringing a regular guitar and tuning down for our lessons, I use the baritone with a capo and it works fine.

[hydrargyrum]

Glad to hear I am still first on the list  
 
To my surprise, I greatly preferred that baritone Orion to the Skylark I later had.  Both wonderful guitars, of course, but that Orion sure had some character.