Grez Guitars Grand Tour Short Scale

[Jens Telemark]

Anyone seen a Grez Guitars Grand Tour Bass in real life yet? I’m about to pull the trigger on one. It’s a chunk of change but compared to what turnkey vintage hollow bodies go for these days the Grez makes more sense to me. Barry’s designs are a lovely blend of innovation and tradition and his bench work is impeccable. We’re talking daily player here so having a say in nut width and neck profile is a big deal too.

This video gives a good idea of this bass is.

 

[nixdad]

Anyone seen a Grez Guitars Grand Tour Bass in real life yet? I’m about to pull the trigger on one. It’s a chunk of change but compared to what turnkey vintage hollow bodies go for these days the Grez makes more sense to me. Barry’s designs are a lovely blend of innovation and tradition and his bench work is impeccable. We’re talking daily player here so having a say in nut width and neck profile is a big deal too.

This video gives a good idea of this bass is.

@Jens Telemark - The Grez certainly looks like it's a home run on all levels. So cool that they're working with you to deliver on the feel you're seeking as well.

Please keep us posted on your order experience and after you take delivery!

 

[Jens Telemark]

Deposit given. 10-12 weeks.

 

[BGroovy]

I played one of these at Wood Wire Volts during NAMM this year and it was incredible.

 

[Jens Telemark]

Wouldn’t bother me at all if you said this was only bass I ever got to play from now on.

 

[August West]

Beautiful! Would love to hear more whenever you get the chance.

 

[nixdad]

Wouldn’t bother me at all if you said this was only bass I ever got to play from now on.

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AHA! So this is YOUR bass!
I saw them post photos on Instagram a few weeks ago, and even inquired if the bass was for sale (I did not receive a reply.) BEAUTIFUL Cherry Sunburst finish, and nice placement of the Gold Foil pickup (I primarily use the front pickup on my Ric 4005 basses.)

It's strung with flats, right?

 

[nixdad]

Jens -
CONGRATS!!!

 

[JMoto]

Ive been thinking if getting one but with the pups as in Ian's vid.

 

[nixdad]

Wouldn’t bother me at all if you said this was only bass I ever got to play from now on.

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@Jens Telemark - have you had the opportunity to gig with your bass yet?

 

[Jens Telemark]

@Jens Telemark - have you had the opportunity to gig with your bass yet?

It’s all I’ve used since getting it! 25+ gigs doing a mix of blues, R&B, 50’s rock and country. It just shines on that stuff. I wouldn’t describe it as getting an upright sound but there’s been nothing but compliments on gigs where I’ve typically used the upright.

It’s strung with Galli Synthesis nylon core flats. In a perfect world they’re higher tension than I’d like but they sound so good I haven’t tried anything else yet. I’m sure I will at some point. Being able to use 34” scale strings is a total game changer.

 

[nixdad]

It’s all I’ve used since getting it! 25+ gigs doing a mix of blues, R&B, 50’s rock and country. It just shines on that stuff. I wouldn’t describe it as getting an upright sound but there’s been nothing but compliments on gigs where I’ve typically used the upright.

It’s strung with Galli Synthesis nylon core flats. In a perfect world they’re higher tension than I’d like but they sound so good I haven’t tried anything else yet. I’m sure I will at some point. Being able to use 34” scale strings is a total game changer.

Thanks for the update!
Funny, Barry at Grez finally replied to me within the past day or so (see comment #7 above,) so your bass came to mind. I told Barry that you sure got it right with just having a single pickup slammed up against the end of the neck, as that's the sweet spot on my Ric 4005V basses.

It's interesting to hear that your nylon core strings are higher in tension than you'd like (I have to admit I've never hear of the Galli Synthesis strings. I use (low tension) Thomastik flats on all of my basses, which I absolutely love. I also agree that being able to use long scale strings on a short scale is very convenient and has it's benefits.

BTW - how do you like the Gold Foil pickup? What makes it different, and how would you describe the tone?

 

[Jens Telemark]

Thanks for the update!
Funny, Barry at Grez finally replied to me within the past day or so (see comment #7 above,) so your bass came to mind. I told Barry that you sure got it right with just having a single pickup slammed up against the end of the neck, as that's the sweet spot on my Ric 4005V basses.

It's interesting to hear that your nylon core strings are higher in tension than you'd like (I have to admit I've never hear of the Galli Synthesis strings. I use (low tension) Thomastik flats on all of my basses, which I absolutely love. I also agree that being able to use long scale strings on a short scale is very convenient and has it's benefits.

BTW - how do you like the Gold Foil pickup? What makes it different, and how would you describe the tone?

One single coil pickup and the fatness of playing at the end of the fingerboard is my home base but playing over the pickup on a P Bass gives unique nuances. A single neck position pickup made sense to me.

I’ve never used the other pickups so can’t compare the two. Asked for the single goldfoil after playing those crappy old Harmony H22 basses with the original pickups and with the Novak H22 and really liking how the microphonic qualities capture the acoustic overtones of a hollow body without abandoning the electricness. Barry had used the Novak and was totally down with it. He did mention the potential hum but his shielding is so incredibly good it’s not an issue so far.

I’ve played Thomasik Jazz flats a lot because they’re the closest bass guitar analog to the Thomastik Spirocores I used on uprights most of my life. May throw on an old set of TI’s sometime but last few years I’m hearing a more old school gut string sound something like Charlie Haden’s upright sound meets the electric bass. I thought the nylon core Galli strings would be looser more like synthetic gut upright strings. They aren’t but there is enough of a glimmer of that type of sound that I’m sticking with them for now.

Also want to mention that while Barry won’t do major custom changes which compromise his basic design or workflow I really appreciate his willingness to make small customizations that meet a particular player’s preferences. He placed the input jack about halfway between the strap button and where it usually is so the plug doesn’t hit your leg when sitting like he did for guitarist Tim Lerch. He also used smaller fret wire, the Hipshot mini clovers I like and asked about neck profile preference (I went with his stock soft V with a slightly narrower than stock nut). The fundamental premise of this bass is why I got it but these small personalizations are part of what makes it such a joy to play.

 

[nixdad]

One single coil pickup and the fatness of playing at the end of the fingerboard is my home base but playing over the pickup on a P Bass gives unique nuances. A single neck position pickup made sense to me.

I’ve never used the other pickups so can’t compare the two. Asked for the single goldfoil after playing those crappy old Harmony H22 basses with the original pickups and with the Novak H22 and really liking how the microphonic qualities capture the acoustic overtones of a hollow body without abandoning the electricness. Barry had used the Novak and was totally down with it. He did mention the potential hum but his shielding is so incredibly good it’s not an issue so far.

I’ve played Thomasik Jazz flats a lot because they’re the closest bass guitar analog to the Thomastik Spirocores I used on uprights most of my life. May throw on an old set of TI’s sometime but last few years I’m hearing a more old school gut string sound something like Charlie Haden’s upright sound meets the electric bass. I thought the nylon core Galli strings would be looser more like synthetic gut upright strings. They aren’t but there is enough of a glimmer of that type of sound that I’m sticking with them for now.

Also want to mention that while Barry won’t do major custom changes which compromise his basic design or workflow I really appreciate his willingness to make small customizations that meet a particular player’s preferences. He placed the input jack about halfway between the strap button and where it usually is so the plug doesn’t hit your leg when sitting like he did for guitarist Tim Lerch. He also used smaller fret wire, the Hipshot mini clovers I like and asked about neck profile preference (I went with his stock soft V with a slightly narrower than stock nut). The fundamental premise of this bass is why I got it but these small personalizations are part of what makes it such a joy to play.

Thanks so much for sharing those details, Jens. It's very apparent you thought these things through, especially since the bass was ordered sight unseen and you had never played this model before. Your choice of tuning machines is much more in scale with the bass as well IMO.

What was the inspiration for the amazing cherry sunburst finish? I don't see another one like it for reference on the website.

 

[August West]

If you're considering ordering one, I also highly recommend, fwiw. Impeccable workmanship. Of course, so much about it is personal preference and very subjective, but I love mine so far.

 

[nixdad]

If you're considering ordering one, I also highly recommend, fwiw. Impeccable workmanship. Of course, so much about it is personal preference and very subjective, but I love mine so far.

@August West - what are the deets on your bass? Can you share a photo?

 

[August West]

@August West - what are the deets on your bass? Can you share a photo?

Mine has the standard pickup configuration. The only thing I requested was a satin/matte finish and darker top with slight burst. It came out really well imo. I'm going for an early 70s Phil Lesh flavor and pair this bass with a tube pre and Osiris Philter. With flats and a pick, it does the trick.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Very nice basses, @Jens Telemark and @August West ! I hadn't heard of Grez Guitars before. They make some incredible stuff. I am especially digging the Mendocino Bass VI. Might need to start scheming to order one...

 

[nixdad]

Mine has the standard pickup configuration. The only thing I requested was a satin/matte finish and darker top with slight burst. It came out really well imo. I'm going for an early 70s Phil Lesh flavor and pair this bass with a tube pre and Osiris Philter. With flats and a pick, it does the trick.

That's GORGEOUS! I think most would call this a Violinburst finish, which is incredibly handsome (I love the Cherry Sunburst finish on Jen's bass as well.)

Yep, my Ric 4005 basses are strung with flats as well, and I play with a pick in an a/e Beatles band. Besides the bass, my tone pump is the JHS Punchline which is the most beneficial piece of equipment I've ever owned.


I'll bet that Osiris Philter sounds sweet!

 

[Jens Telemark]

What was the inspiration for the amazing cherry sunburst finish? I don't see another one like it for reference on the website.

I sent him a picture of this 1966 D’Aquisto New Yorker and asked him if he wanted to do something with this vibe but make it his rather than an exact repro. He said yes and nailed it.