Daniel Stark Baritone, 2025

The Daniel Stark Baritone is among the most playable and musical baritone classical guitars we have come across. Tuned a fourth below standard (B, E, A, D, F#, B), this 700 mm scale instrument from Daniel Stark's German workshop opens an entirely new dimension of color and depth, while remaining surprisingly comfortable and immediate under the hands.

Baritone guitars are most commonly found in guitar orchestras, where even a single instrument transforms the sound of an ensemble by filling in the bass register in a way no standard guitar can match. A single baritone in a guitar quartet or a full orchestra makes all the difference, adding real foundation and orchestral weight. But as this guitar demonstrates, the baritone is equally compelling as a solo creative voice, and the added range gives familiar repertoire an entirely new character. We have had a number of Stark's instruments pass through the shop, and this is one of the most immediately fascinating.

Specifications

Luthier: Daniel Stark
Model: Baritone
Year: 2025
Top: Cedar
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood (three-piece)
Construction: Traditional, five-fan bracing
Scale Length: 700 mm
Nut Width: 52.5 mm
Tuning: B, E, A, D, F#, B (one fourth below standard)
Strings: Baritone set; wound 2nd and 3rd strings, plain nylon 1st string
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection
Case: Hardshell case included
Condition: New

Sound

The most striking quality of this instrument is how clearly it speaks. Despite tuning a full fourth below standard, the notes remain clean and well-defined across all six strings. The bass register is deep and resonant without becoming muddy; the lower strings carry a rich, orchestral quality that immediately changes the character of whatever you play. There is a real richness to each individual string, from the thick open voice of the sixth down to the nylon first, and the overall effect is genuinely musical rather than simply different.

The trebles ring with a clear, singing quality, and the guitar maintains its definition throughout. Even playing through standard classical repertoire at this lower pitch produces something compelling and fresh, with added depth and gravitas that rewards exploration.

Playability

Despite the 700 mm scale length, this guitar is surprisingly comfortable to play. The nut width of 52.5 mm is nearly standard, so the left hand adjusts quickly and the instrument never feels foreign. The action is beautifully low throughout. Extended position work is not the primary purpose of a baritone, and the 12th fret sits before the body join rather than at it, which means upper register access is actually quite comfortable.

The second and third strings are wound rather than plain nylon, which is necessary for the lower pitch to speak with proper clarity and tension. You adapt quickly to keeping the same right-hand angle you would use on the bass strings of a standard guitar. The first string is plain nylon and rings clearly. The overall playing experience is remarkably natural, and the transition from a standard classical guitar is far easier than most players expect.

Construction & Design

The cedar top displays beautiful, even grain and rests over a five-fan bracing pattern. The rosette shares Daniel Stark's Torres-inspired motif found on his concert model instruments, in a thinner, more understated version that suits the baritone's character. The same pattern carries through to the tie block, giving the instrument a quiet visual coherence. The back and sides are a three-piece set of Indian rosewood, with slender lines separating the pieces, and the combination provides both tonal richness and visual elegance.

The headstock carries Daniel Stark's standard shape, found on nearly all of his guitars. Tuning machines are practical and simple, keeping the price accessible for anyone seeking a serious baritone instrument. Fret dots appear at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets. The workmanship throughout is clean and careful, reflecting the same attention to setup that characterizes all of Stark's instruments.

New, sent directly from the workshop in late 2025.