Baritone guitars have been around for decades, traditionally featured in Nashville and Hollywood studios and elsewhere to “sweeten” a track or for some other “special” application; to hear an example, take a listen to Glen Campbell’s solo on “Wichita Lineman.”

Baritones have experienced a resurgence in popularity across genres and especially gained traction amongst modern hard-rock and metal acts because they’re typically tuned a fifth lower than standard six-strings. So it makes sense that more builders are jumping into the fray. One is D’Angelico, with its new solidbody Deluxe Atlantic Baritone.

A visually beautiful instrument, the company’s goal was to offer maximum player comfort with a medium-weight alder body, slim C-shaped set neck with 26.75″ scale, and a deep cutaway. Other details include 22 frets, two Volume and two Tone controls with coil splitters, nickel pickup covers, and a nickel tune-o-matic-style bridge. Gold Grover 509 Super Rotomatic tuners complete a classy package. Strapped on, the Deluxe Atlantic feels as good as it looks, hanging very comfortably with no neck dive.

Plugged into a Class A tube amp, the Deluxe Atlantic’s two Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 pickups provided clear tones with a thick midrange and low-end. The coil splitters helped coax an array of sounds suitable for almost any musical situation, while the bridge pickup rendered chime, clarity, and excellent single-note and chord definition. With the splitter engaged, highs were accentuated. The neck pickup offered copious amounts of thick, sometimes gnarly low-end that with added overdrive or fuzz, would work well in a dropped-tune grunge, ambient, or metal situation.

Available is Satin Black and Walnut finishes, the Deluxe Atlantic may not be a budget instrument in the eyes of some, but it is competitively priced given its quality.

This article originally appeared in VG’s February 2023 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.