Danelectro Baritone BL LH

Danelectro Baritone BL LH review

The Danelectro Baritone BL LH is a left-handed, six-string baritone guitar with a single-cut body, a 30-inch scale, and a pared-back control layout. Its black finish and lipstick-style pickups give it a distinctive look, while the extended scale is central to its lower-register character. Listed at $645, it is a niche instrument for players seeking baritone range, not a conventional guitar with a cosmetic twist.

The model has been available since July 2019. Its body and center block are poplar, with Masonite top and back panels. The bolt-on maple neck has a Pau Ferro fingerboard and 24 frets. Hardware includes an adjustable bridge and Kluson-style tuning machines on a 3+3 headstock. There is no tremolo, case, or gig bag included.

Build, setup, and playing feel

Player feedback describes the guitar as comfortable to play, visually striking, and well balanced, without excessive neck dive. One owner found the fretboard pleasant under the fingers and liked the light feel. Another praised the intonation and enjoyed playing the instrument unplugged. These impressions suggest a straightforward, usable platform, though the guitar's light construction may feel less substantial than a conventional solid-body instrument. One reviewer described the body as feeling somewhat fragile beside the long neck, and would be cautious about leaning it against an amplifier.

Setup may need attention after purchase. One left-handed buyer found the factory action too high and would have lowered it, while noting that a setup adjustment is common with new guitars. A professional setup can help dial in string height and intonation for the player's preferred tuning. That is especially relevant if you plan to use a nonstandard string set or tune the guitar differently from its intended baritone setup.

Some small construction details drew criticism. The domed screws on the back protrude instead of sitting flush, and a decorative edge strip was described as vinyl rather than an integrated finish. One owner also reported that the rear pickup-cavity cover could rattle and was awkward to refit after removal. These are not complaints about the central playing experience, but they are worth knowing if clean finishing and quiet hardware matter to you.

Pickups and tonal range

The electronics are intentionally simple: two high-output lipstick single-coil pickups, a master volume, a master tone, and a three-way pickup selector. There are no separate volume or tone controls for each pickup. A player can select either pickup or combine them, then shape the sound with the tone control and picking technique.

Owners describe the two pickups as having distinct voices, with enough variation from pickup selection and tone adjustment to cover different accompanying parts. Open or muted playing, and picking or fingerstyle technique, also change the result. One buyer restrung the instrument with Bass VI strings and used it as a short-scale bass tuned from E to E, reporting that it played like a guitar while delivering a bass-like sound. That is a personal modification, not a stated factory configuration, and the closely spaced strings may limit slap technique for some players.

There is a notable disagreement in feedback about pickup output and noise. One owner found the output extremely low and the pickups very noisy, making live use a concern. Other buyers were pleased with the pickups and overall sound. The difference could depend on setup, amplification, or individual expectations, but it is a point to check in person if possible, particularly if you plan to use the guitar onstage.

Where it fits, and where it may not

The Baritone BL LH appears strongest in styles that benefit from its low register and clear, characterful voice. One player found it immediately effective in country, rockabilly, and Americana settings, where it helped define the arrangement. That same player had trouble keeping it prominent during faster or louder rock passages, including distorted riffs and denser clean arrangements. It may therefore work best as a distinctive color in a band, rather than as a guaranteed solution for cutting through every mix.

The restrained design and left-handed format make the model unusual in a market where left-handed players often have fewer choices. Its appearance and feel were major positives for several owners, though one buyer returned it because the sound did not suit their intended band use. That is the central question here: whether the baritone voice matches your musical role.

Verdict

The Danelectro Baritone BL LH offers a long-scale, left-handed layout, 24 frets, and a simple two-pickup control scheme at a stated price of $645. Reports highlight its appealing looks, comfortable balance, and useful character in roots-oriented music. Potential buyers should account for possible setup work, minor hardware and finish complaints, and conflicting reports on pickup noise and output. Try it through the kind of amplifier and band mix you expect to use. For a player who wants this particular baritone sound, it can be a rewarding and distinctive instrument; for someone needing a versatile guitar that stays prominent in every arrangement, it may be a less certain fit.