When you consider the fact that technology has made it possible to build and instrument such as this which such consistent high quality, that alone is pretty remarkable. But that being said, there is always going to be a risk\trust factor that the buyer is going to have to agree to with such a transaction. So even with the higher degree of consistent quality, there is always going to be variances between any two instruments. Some more discernible than others. And that doesn't even address possibly the greatest risk of all....the shipping process! All of this must be kept in mind when ordering anything that you can't put you hands on and try out first. So when you consider all the above and compare it to the price point, it's really quite incredible !
I purchased this baritone about 3 months ago. It showed up within the timeframe specified and was undamaged from the shipping experience it went through. Visible fit and finish is flawless! Can't find a thing about it that is sub-par. I did adjust the truss rod to give it a bit more relief, but that was it. Nut height is good, string height is good and there is no discernible buzzing or choking anywhere that I can find. Frets, fret ends and fingerboard all look real good! And I have not had any issues with the tuners either. I even still have the Earnie Ball strings that came with it on it.
I think there is quite often an attitude, especially in the guitar world, where great tone is expected right out of the box..so to speak. Well folks....that generally just isn't the case. Yes, great craftsmanship and the availability of good materials goes a long way, but great tone is created and shaped by the player. Since this guitar has a means of EQing, it definitely helps bring put the tonal range that is available with this instrument. However, if you want to really unleash the tone that this (or any) guitar is capable of, you need to run it through and EQ system/pedal of some sort. That, combined with some reverb and a delay will enable this instrument to create some of the most beautiful tones you could ever imagine, especially when played ambient.
Almost 50 years of performing live and being a multi-instrumentalist has taken me through a lot of changes in instruments and gear. I'm mostly playing bass these days in the live venues I'm part of but I play everything from mandolin to full scale bass. So scale length differences, as well as the string gauge changes that go with that are a constant challenge. So, needless to say this particular baritone kind of falls right in the middle of a lot of those scales (for me anyway, since I also play a baritone with a 30" scale length). From that standpoint alone, it's a great guitar to have around for it's ability to play an adequate bass line as well as a lead line, when needed. All of this said to hopefully answer the question as to whether this guitar is worth investing in. "Yes", absolutely ! There's nothing quite like a baritone. And Orangewood offers a good one here!
