Gretsch announced two dedicated baritone electric guitars on May 13, 2026: the Electromatic Jet Baritone at $699 and the Electromatic CVT Baritone at $599.99. These are the first purpose-built baritone models in Gretsch’s current production lineup, and they arrive loaded with Twin Six Alnico humbuckers, coil splitting, and the kind of classic Gretsch binding that makes most sub-$700 baritones look anonymous by comparison.
The timing makes sense. Baritone electrics have moved from a niche curiosity (popular with post-metal and djent players) to a genuine growth category. Brands like ESP, Schecter, and PRS have dominated the sub-$1,000 baritone space for years. Gretsch, traditionally associated with rockabilly, classic rock, and country, is making a deliberate play for players who tune low and play heavy.
Two Scale Lengths for Two Different Tuning Ranges
The most important distinction between these models is scale length.
The Electromatic Jet Baritone runs a 29.75 inch scale, which is long enough to handle tunings down to drop A or even lower with stable intonation and solid string tension. At this scale length, standard baritone string gauges (.014 to .068 or heavier) sit at proper tension without the floppiness that shorter instruments produce in extreme tunings. The chambered mahogany body with a bound carved maple top gives it resonance without excessive weight, and the bolt-on maple neck uses Gretsch’s Performance C profile with a 12 inch radius rosewood fingerboard. Pickups are PureVolt Twin Six Alnico humbuckers with push/pull coil splitting on each control. Hardware includes a GraphTech NuBone nut and an Adjust-O-Matic bridge with stop tail. The Jet Baritone ships in Imperial Stain, with a Bigsby-equipped variant in Midnight Sapphire also available.
The Electromatic CVT Baritone uses a 27 inch scale, which targets the B standard to drop A range that most modern metal and alternative players gravitate toward. The solid mahogany body features Gretsch’s beveled contour design for comfort during long sessions, and the bolt-on maple neck shares the same Performance C profile. Twin Six Alnico 5 humbuckers with individual push/pull coil splitting and a treble bleed circuit provide tonal flexibility across clean and high-gain settings. The CVT ships in Bristol Fog with .014 to .068 nickel-plated steel strings from the factory, ready for downtuned work right out of the box.
The CVT Name Carries History
CVT is not a random acronym. It is short for Corvette, the Gretsch solidbody model first introduced in 1961 as a direct competitor to Gibson’s Les Paul Junior. The original Corvette never became a commercial blockbuster, but it developed a cult following through its association with players like Rory Gallagher and, more recently, Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff. Gretsch relaunched the CVT as a modern budget solidbody in 2024 at $420, and the Baritone version extends that line into extended-range territory.
The Jet Baritone, by contrast, descends from Gretsch’s Jet family (think Duo Jet, Jet Firebird), which has been a staple of the Electromatic line for years. Adding a 29.75 inch baritone variant is a logical extension of a platform Gretsch already knows how to build well.
Loathe and the Heavy Music Connection
Gretsch chose Loathe guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe to demonstrate both models in the launch campaign. That is not a subtle signal. Loathe is a UK metalcore and shoegaze band that tunes low, uses heavy distortion, and builds walls of sound that would make most vintage Gretsch players wince. By putting these guitars in the hands of a metal player rather than a country or rockabilly artist, Gretsch is communicating exactly who these instruments are for.
It is also a smart positioning move. The baritone market under $700 has limited options that genuinely look and feel premium. Most competitors in this range lean into sharp, aggressive aesthetics. Gretsch is betting that players who tune to B or A still want binding, Pearloid Neo Classic inlays, and the vintage-meets-modern look that Electromatic guitars deliver. At $599.99 for the CVT and $699 for the Jet, the pricing undercuts the PRS SE 277 Baritone (which typically runs around $800) while offering more visual character than most of the competition.
Shared Specs Worth Noting
Both models use 22 medium jumbo frets on a 12 inch radius fingerboard, which provides a flat playing surface suited to bending and fast runs across the lower register. Both feature Gretsch’s rounded heel design for upper-fret access, GraphTech NuBone nuts, die-cast sealed tuning machines, and nickel hardware. Neither model includes a tremolo system in the standard configuration, though the Jet Baritone’s Bigsby variant addresses that for players who want pitch modulation.
The push/pull coil splitting on both guitars is a practical addition for a baritone. Splitting the Twin Six humbuckers thins the low-end mud that full humbuckers can produce in drop tunings, giving players a usable single-coil voice for cleaner passages without switching guitars.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Jet Baritone | CVT Baritone |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Length | 29.75 inches | 27 inches |
| Body | Chambered mahogany, carved maple top | Solid mahogany, beveled contours |
| Neck | Bolt-on maple, Performance C | Bolt-on maple, Performance C |
| Pickups | Twin Six Alnico humbuckers | Twin Six Alnico 5 humbuckers |
| Coil Split | Push/pull on each control | Push/pull on each control |
| Bridge | Adjust-O-Matic, stop tail | Adjust-O-Matic, stop tail |
| Finish | Imperial Stain (Midnight Sapphire w/ Bigsby) | Bristol Fog |
| Price | $699 | $599.99 |
Gretsch entering the baritone market with two models at this price point fills a gap that has existed for years. Players who wanted a downtuned guitar with classic styling and genuine craftsmanship had very few options under $700. The Jet Baritone’s 29.75 inch scale serves the drop A crowd and lower, while the CVT Baritone’s 27 inch scale covers the increasingly popular B standard and drop A territory. Both are available now through authorized Gretsch dealers and online retailers.