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Any experience with Douglas Violin Bass?

davelowell2

davelowell2

I’m not superstitious. Maybe a little stitious.
Supporting Member
Apr 20, 2006
4,562
10,104
NY
#1
I ordered one on Friday, black. I like the VVT. I don't like the headstock. I'll be putting on some LaBella tapes or Ernie Ball flats, I have both waiting.

Any owners out there care to give any input? How are the electronics? Dead spots?

Thanks!
 
#3
snyderz said:
I've never owned one, but I typed Douglas Violin into the search, and got quite a few threads.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Officer. I've read those.

There was one mention since February and that was a month ago. We all know that in the GASsing lives of bass players, a month is alot of basses and experiences.

Mostly looking for any updates by actual owners, thank you.
 
#4
One of my students picked one up a couple of months ago. I recommended the LaBella Beatle Bass flats. He brought me the guitar and the strings, I re-strung it and spent some quality time with it.

My bottom line assessment: Nice bass for the money. Plays well, can be tweaked to taste, gets the violin bass tone you're looking for, especially with the flats. I also own a few Hofner Icons, and I thought the Douglas was every bit as nice.

I hope your experience is the same, good luck!
 
#7
It arrived today and it's cool. Just how I thought it would be. Plays nice and it's fairly loud unplugged and lightweight. Pots are a little suspect, might replace the electronics and knobs down the line. Put on some LaBella tapes and I'll order some Deep Talkin Flats soon.

Bonus: the headstock is not the one shown on the website that I didn't like, but it's like this.

12b15980.jpg


I like this one better so it's a good surprise.
 
#11
Oh, and I like it alot. I'll never play out with it, just at home. I plan on changing the cap to .01 and maybe the pots while I'm in there, but the cap for sure.
 
#15
I have the Rogue version and like it alot, especially if you want that Beatle thump. It's light and looks cool. Because of the floating Rosewood bridge, it is really hard (read impossible) to intonate, but sounds good anyway. You need regular scale strings (34") for it, and yes the flatwounds are really easy on the fingers. If you watch the TV series 'Glee", the kid that plays bass in the glee club band uses a violin bass.
 
#17
becker4567 said:
I have the Rogue version and like it alot, especially if you want that Beatle thump. It's light and looks cool. Because of the floating Rosewood bridge, it is really hard (read impossible) to intonate, but sounds good anyway. You need regular scale strings (34") for it, and yes the flatwounds are really easy on the fingers. If you watch the TV series 'Glee", the kid that plays bass in the glee club band uses a violin bass.
Click to expand...

I have the Epiphone version, I have heard rumours that they all come from the same factory.

I've got the Hofner flats on specifically for violin basses and they are for a 32" scale. Basically you have a short scale but the bridge means you need an extra 2 inches. As for the intonation I think the bridge is great. it was fairly spot on when I got it. I removed that bit of foam stuff thats there to protect it, that helps the sound. Got it intonated up no bother added the flats and again no hassle. I found keeping the tension on the strings a bit and giving it a wee nudge the best way.

Just out of interest what how would changing the Cap as suggested affect the sound??
 
#18
I used 34 inch strings first and the E broke, basically the fat part of the string starts to go around the peg and snaps, that part is not meant to bend like that. I found that 32 inch scale string fit perfectly.

The cap... I like more of the high end rolloff from a .01 cap. Just a personal preference. I can't tell what's in there, but most are .047 or so. No other tonal difference I can tell, just more highs and high mid rolloff.

Intonation is ok for me, like I said earlier, I don't plan on gigging with this so YMMV.
 
#19
Update...

I put on some LaBella flats, the lighter gauge. These seem to be my favorite strings for short scale basses. The only thing I would have done differently is order the bigger gauge. I love these flats for shorties!
 
#20
becker4567 said:
I have the Rogue version and like it alot, especially if you want that Beatle thump. It's light and looks cool. Because of the floating Rosewood bridge, it is really hard (read impossible) to intonate, but sounds good anyway. You need regular scale strings (34") for it, and yes the flatwounds are really easy on the fingers. If you watch the TV series 'Glee", the kid that plays bass in the glee club band uses a violin bass.
Click to expand...

Correction: as noted above, the bass should have MEDIUM scale strings (32") which is what the Labella Hofner Flats are.

Because of the bridge and tailpiece, this style of bass requires a string slightly longer than its 30" scale length.

I'm sure 34" strings would also work.
 

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