Novo Voltur B6 Review

Nashville boutique guitar brand Novo was founded by Dennis Fano, of Fano Guitars fame, back in 2014. The two brands speak in similar design language and philosophy for obvious reasons, and Novo guitars have a style all their own. But like the first Fanos built by Dennis himself, Novo body shapes, finish schemes, and the feel of the instruments are prevailingly shaped by early and mid-’60s influences. Naturally these attributes shine when mated to the very Bass VI-like Voltur B6.Origins of the BeastA 6-string bass, unlike a baritone, is tuned exactly like a guitar, E to E—just an octave lower on a much longer scale. It’s likely the very first instrument built in this configuration was Danelectro’s UB-2 in 1956. But the famous evolution of the 6-string bass concept was introduced by Fender five years later, in 1961, and named the Bass VI. The Bass VI was never a common instrument, but it was, alongside the Danelectro, the choice for session players chasing the tic-tac sound, which mixes the percussive pick attack from a guitar and an upright bass. Six-string basses are all over genuinely classic tunes: “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline, “Wichita Lineman” by Glenn Campbell, and probably Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” which in 1957 became the first No. 1 hit in the U.S. believed to feature the 6-string bass. The Bass VI also turned up in the hands of artists like the Cure and Jack Bruce of Cream, and most famously was sometimes cradled by George Harrison and John Lennon while Paul McCartney tended to keyboards.“It is really nice to see a manufacturer spend the time to develop such a refined take on the 6-string bass—premium price or not.”For all the high-profile users and applications, Bass VI-type instruments like the Voltur B6 aren’t something too many manufacturers offer, and you see few in mainstream music. So, I was a bit surprised when my editor told me I would have the pleasure of reviewing one, and especially pleased it would come from such a renowned builder.Luxury AccommodationsThe Voltur B6 wows from minute one. It’s very stylish and well-made. And it is really nice to see a manufacturer spend the time to develop such a refined take on the 6-string bass—premium price or not. The finish is beautiful. Our review B6 came in a bold and attractive copper, but vintage-inspired paint jobs including Mary Kaye white, a very Gretsch-like nicotine blonde, a Silvertone-influenced starry night, and more are also available. The bass comes with three custom pickups by Lollar called Novo Gold Foils, which are visually distinctive for their almost industrial take on the vintage gold-foil design. Along with controls for volume and tone there are three very Bass VI-like switches for selecting different pickup combinations. Another striking design feature is the pairing of a Mastery M1 bridge with a Mastery NV vibrato with a lightning bolt arm that echoes the design themes in the pickup covers. The very comfortable 30' scale is spanned with a custom set of.026 -.095 strings by Stringjoy. I felt instantly at home.It’s a Bass, It’s a Guitar, It’s…When I grabbed the Voltur B6, the bass player side of my brain told me instantly to utilize the chordal possibilities of the instrument, largely because as a gigging bassist I don’t get to explore that technique as much. Playing a simple arpeggiated pattern, the notes rang out clearly like a guitar, but with the punch and authority of a bass (clip 1). The action of the test instrument was ever so slightly high for my liking, but I believe that contributes to the punch in each note. As a massive fan of the single-note signature lines normally played on a baritone guitar, I wanted to try that type of treatment on a melody line played very close to the bridge, for a skinnier, almost surf-like tone. The tone that came out of the Voltur 6 with the bridge pickup had an antique glow and a touch of garage attitude (clip 2). I desperately wanted to play more with this approach, but I was also eager to give the Novo the tic-tac treatment (clip 3). I recorded a bass line using a hollowbody short-scale bass and rolled off all the highs in order to better hear and feel the unique pick attack from the Voltur B6 when I doubled it. The result was a sound all its own—tubby, but warm and certain to sit prominently in a mix.The VerdictFor an instrument that could be considered nichey, the Novo Voltur B6 is ultra-versatile. The three pickups offer significantly different tones—all of which have many possible uses. It’s addictive, utilitarian, and opens up many unique musical paths. And after living with this instrument for a while, I’m captivated by the idea of getting one for studio use. Novo’s Voltur B6 definitely comes with a boutique-builder price at $4,499. But the bespoke quality you sense playing up and down the neck, or just looking the instrument over, is undeniable. For any bass player or guitarist interested in a tool that can transport you beyond the box, the Novo Vultur B6 could lead to unexpected treasures.