No problem Auggie.

Mine is the only one I've had alot of experience with, so other than very brief test drives on others and my previous regular guitar tuned way down with heavy strings, I don't have comparitors.

I like the ability to tune down and (1) get out of the way of other instruments in the same range, (2) match my own voice and others' more effectively, (3) play with additional lower tunings, (4) add some bass when there's no bass player, (5) simply have alternatives.

The only physical feature I don't like about mine, and intend to change, is the tuning machines. They are good quality Schallers with ebony buttons, but the gear ratio isn't quite high enough for the heavier guage low strings. The bigger strings tune easier with a higher gear ratio. I have Gotohs with an 18:1 ratio on another axe and I think they'd be good on the baritone.

Mine is maple back and sides (it appears in a Mudcat photo, have a look), spruce top, ebony everywhere else. The reasoning was to keep some clear trebles with the spruce and maple while being tuned down, but without comparitors it's hard to know if this is sound reasoning.

The scale is 27" which is shorter than some baritones but after a few years I've come to like it as a compromise between fingering comfort and low tunability. I generally tune down to C or C# at standard intervals, and lower with open tunings, but it depends on whether it's strung with regular D'Addario heavies or custom sets even lower. After experimenting with heavier guages, I don't use anything bigger than a .066 now, or lighter than a .059 on the 6th.

The shape is a slightly modified jumbo which, though large, seems to give it enough air to move the low notes. No cutaway because, well, it's supposed to play low and I didn't want to sacrifice body air volume. It can really rumble but also responds to a light touch.

At the moment it has a Shatten Design Dualie pickup in it, but it usually gets a mic.

Built by Marc Beneteau in 1998 after considerable discussion about the various features. I'm very happy with it.

Peace, Mooh.