If you're looking for something new that's both beautiful, alive, a blast to play - and - made by a luthier with an eye towards sustainability? You need to check out this super rare Grez 12-String Mendocino.

Why We Love This

A 12-string Grez?? Yes indeed, and it's fantastic (just to get to the point). A quick history of how this model came about:

Our good friend and long-time customer J. Ellis (hence the JE we've assigned to this one as a tip of the hat) reached out to Barry at Grez Guitars and asked him to make a 12-string. Being local, J. was kind enough to swing by to show us his newly completed 12-string several months ago and, suffice it to say, we were blown away and immediately reached out to Barry to get one on order for the shop. (Side note: J. is an architect who designed our new office space for our shop renovation project earlier this year.)

The results of J.'s request are spectacular. Like all Mendocinos, it is really lightweight (5lbs 9oz to be exact), balanced, and very alive and resonant. It's also remarkably easy to play and share's the same string orientation that Rickenbackers use (the octave strings are "south" of the regular strings not "north" like other 12s). Unlike a Ric 12 though, you won't be struggling to play this Mendocino at all. This orientation slightly changes the tone for those who haven't played a Ric 12 before due to the fact that you're hitting the normal strings with your pick vs the octave string - it's a little fuller sounding, and to our ears, "the" sound for a 12 (think Beatles, Petty, J. Marr).

Simply put, this is the kind of instrument that makes you want to play and write more. It's beautifully made, has a slightly chunky, late-50's Gibson-esq carve with a slinky overall feel, and sounds amazing both unplugged and plugged in.