The six-string bass is an odd marvel of the guitar universe, made well-known 60 years in the past by the Fender Bass VI, Gibson EB-6, and quite a lot of cool Danelectros. Grez is upholding the custom with its Mendocino Bass VI, a semi-hollow with flatwound strings and ample hipness.

Slowly however certainly, flatwound strings are making a comeback, and it’s doubly cool to strive a set on a six-string. Builder Barry Grzebik slaps a set of LaBellas (.026 to .095) on the 30″-scale Mendocino, which is tuned E to E – an octave beneath normal guitar. One other perk of the six-string idea is it will possibly play chords and single notes, in addition to use a decide or deploy acoustic-method fingerstyle. Versatility isn’t any downside right here.

The Mendocino has a salvaged old-growth redwood prime with a carbon-fiber-reinforced mahogany neck and semi-hollow physique; the entire enchilada weighs lower than six kilos. The ebony fretboard has 23 jumbo frets and dot inlays. {Hardware} features a Halon metal bridge, aluminum tailpiece, and open-back tuners. Amongst its fancier options are Gemini Dynasonic pickups with spiffy wooden surrounds and a Grasp Quantity management. The star of the social gathering, although, is its Excessive Minimize/Low Minimize tone pot, which provides a profound bass enhance or treble minimize. This speaks to the Mendocino’s potential to be performed both like a bass or extra like a guitar, which can assist its participant dial within the excellent steadiness of bass resonance.

On the job, the Mendocino can play ’60s “tic-tac” bass like Nashville hero Harold Bradley, or classic surf, instro, and spaghetti-western riffs. It’s additionally excellent for sound explorers who need to play low, glassy chords and arpeggios like Michael Hedges. The flatwounds add a glissando really feel for slippery licks.

Whereas six-string bass is a specialty instrument, the Grez Mendocino Bass VI is well-built and sounds each mysterious and funky. Each bassist owes themselves the expertise.

This text initially appeared in VG’s July 2024 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.