The Argonaut Range
The Argonaut model is the newest addition to the Seth Baccus Guitars range. I first started working on an original offset design back in 2017 but due to a full order book it sat on the back burner until 2021 when I was approached by a customer about an offset build. I shared my work in progress drawings with him, and it pushed me to finally finish the design work and build the first Argonaut. My approach to guitar design work is to try and capture the feeling of both originality and familiarity simultaneously. The offset body is designed for ergonomic comfort as well as to be visually pleasing. As you will see throughout my work, I like to be able to throw different aesthetics and styles at the same body shape and create very different looking and sounding instruments while all sharing a cohesive identity. I hope for my guitars to be both, contemporary and timeless. Please browse the range of Argonauts below and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Argonaut Classic
A modern offset steeped in tradition
The Argonaut Classic is a journey through history with all the benefits of modern engineering.
The lightweight Obeche bodies are very responsive and balance just as well on a strap or sat on the lap. The beautiful roasted maple necks are available in our two profiles, either a C or a custom soft V, and in three depths.
Every Argonaut models is available to order in three scale lengths - Short scale 24", Standard scale 25.5" and Baritone scale 28.65".
The classic is available with a choice of bridge and pickup options. Including tune o matic bridges, Jazzmaster tremolos and bridges, Telecaster bridges, cut off Tele bridges, and any number of pickup configurations. Our most popular models are often a mixture of P90's, humbuckers and telecaster pickups with a selection of switching options.
The Classic features an aged nitro finish as standard, with aged or brushed hardware to match. My aim was to capture some of the cool of the surf guitars and combine it with the benefits of modern playability, the highest quality components and build quality.
Fixed Bridge Prices from £3999 inc vat, Export outside the UK £3332 ex vat (fixed bridge)
Tremeolo Prices from £4299 inc vat, export outside the UK £3585 ex vat (tremolo bridge)
FSC certified Obeche.
This has become my number one favourite wood choice for most of my models. Obeche is a West African wood, its grain pattern resembles mahogany, although it is closer to Korina in appearance and weight. It's incredibly resonant and musical and nice to work with. The lighter weight makes it very comfortable for solid bodies, but it also chambers well for thinlines or hollow bodies. The tone is very balanced, clear trebles, warm bass and a little bit of mid-range push. I'm a big fan and feel grateful to have discovered this wonderful timber.
All our Obeche is sourced from well managed forests with FSC certification.
Canadian roasted sugar maple.
My absolute favourite neck material. I have a wonderful supplier for this maple who sources and processes all the logs himself in Canada. The quality is superb, and it is not only beautiful to look at, it is a joy to work with too. The heat treatment makes the timber supremely stable and resistant to humidity or temperature changes, and also increases the resonance similarly to the natural ageing of wood. All Argonaut necks are hand finished with an oil and wax finish that feels just as incredible as it looks. As standard I use a 12" fingerboard radius for a comfortable playing experience with clean fretting and string bending. My favoured fret wire is Jescar and the medium jumbo profile. Custom options are available. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Fingerboard options include Indian rosewood, figured roasted maple or ebony.
All the Argonaut necks are available in either a Standard C carve or my custom soft V carve, and both are available in three depths, Slim, Medium and Deep.
Any Argonaut model is available to order in three scale lengths: Short scale 24", Standard scale25.5"and a Baritone scale at 28.65"
Hardware is carefully selected for each model from the finest manufacturers. Machine heads by Gotoh. Bridges chosen for tone and intonation accuracy to suit each model. All pots are CTS and jacks and switches by Switchcraft. Pickups are carefully selected from a variety of top end makers depending on the model and desired tone, most commonly using British made Bare Knuckle Pickups or MojoPickups. Custom hardware requested can be entertained, so please feel free to get in touch.
As my personal choice, I favour a traditional nitrocellulose finish for my guitars. I like the look and feel of nitro, especially lightly aged to give a played in feel and a timeless look. We can of course offer other finishes including a variety of metallics, sparkles, high gloss and satin finishes and also hand rubbed oil and wax finishes.
Argonaut Modern
A new breed of offset
The Argonaut Modern blends the classic influence of the offset surf guitars with the edge and more aggressive look of progressive modern guitars. The lightweight contoured body is designed with both ergonomics and style as priorities. It has a very resonant attack to the string with great definition, making it ideal for accurate picking techniques and big powerful riffs.
Available in a variety of pickup configurations with or without scratchplates, and all manner of finishes.
Bridge options include Hipshot fixed bridges, Tune o matic bridges, and tremolo options including both Bigsby's and S style 2 point trems.
The Argonaut necks are available in three depth options and two carve options, as well as three different scale length options.
My aim was to capture some of the cool of the surf guitars and combine it with the benefits of modern playability, the highest quality components and build quality.
Prices from £3999 inc vat
Export outside the UK £3332 ex vat
FSC certified Obeche.
This has become my number one favourite wood choice for most of my models. Obeche is a West African wood, its grain pattern resembles mahogany, although it is closer to Korina in appearance and weight. It's incredibly resonant and musical and nice to work with. The lighter weight makes it very comfortable for solid bodies, but it also chambers well for thinlines or hollow bodies. The tone is very balanced, clear trebles, warm bass and a little bit of mid-range push. I'm a big fan and feel grateful to have discovered this wonderful timber.
All our Obeche is sourced from well managed forests with FSC certification.
Canadian roasted sugar maple.
My absolute favourite neck material. I have a wonderful supplier for this maple who sources and processes all the logs himself in Canada. The quality is superb, and it is not only beautiful to look at, it is a joy to work with too. The heat treatment makes the timber supremely stable and resistant to humidity or temperature changes, and also increases the resonance similarly to the natural ageing of wood. All Argonaut necks are hand finished with an oil and wax finish that feels just as incredible as it looks. As standard, I use a 12" fingerboard radius for a comfortable playing experience with clean fretting and string bending. My favoured fret wire is Jescar and the medium jumbo profile. Custom options are available. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Fingerboard options include Indian rosewood, figured roasted maple or ebony.
All the Argonaut necks are available in either a Standard C carve or my custom soft V carve, and both are available in three depths, Slim, Medium and Deep.
Any Argonaut model is available to order in three scale lengths: Short scale 24", Standard scale 25.5" and a Baritone scale at 28.65"
Hardware is carefully selected for each model from the finest manufacturers. Machine heads by Gotoh. Bridges chosen for tone and intonation accuracy to suit each model. All pots are CTS and jacks and switches by Switchcraft. Pickups are carefully selected from a variety of top end makers depending on the model and desired tone, most commonly using British made Bare Knuckle Pickups or Mojo Pickups. Custom hardware requested can be entertained, so please feel free to get in touch.
The Argonaut modern is available in a variety of finishes including high gloss and satin finishes, metallics and sparkles, and also aged nitro cellulose.
We can also offer a hand rubbed oil and wax finish.
Argonaut in Action
Check out the Argonaut in action with Jamie Haas of El Moono
