Beatle Basses

[mongo2]

Thanks for all the feedback. The Hofner Icon sounds great, but I'm not sure if I can adjust to the tiny neck. It also costs a bit more than the clones. From what I hear the Rogue's neck is a bit beefier.

It is.


The Rogue also has a very different construction compared to the Icon, different pickups and a very different tone.

It took me about 15 seconds get used to the size of the Icon neck when I first tried it.

BTW, I also use a Hofner Icon Club which is similar to the icon violin but with a different body shape.

 

[tbirddad]

Happy with my Rogue and Flats1

 

[wilder]

I've owned the Epi and the Hofner Icon at the same time. I've played them both with the same strings and I kept the Hofner and sold the Epi.

 

[leegreenman]

Think I'll take a trip to Guitar Center. I believe they generally carry the Epiphone and the Hofner.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Think I'll take a trip to Guitar Center. I believe they generally carry the Epiphone and the Hofner.

They usually do. Keep in mind that neither will probably sound that amazing if they are strung with roundwound strings. Flats definitely make these kinds of basses sing.

 

[leegreenman]

They usually do. Keep in mind that neither will probably sound that amazing if they are strung with roundwound strings. Flats definitely make these kinds of basses sing.

Very true. I'll throw a set of TIs on it as soon as I get it home.

 

[Pilgrim]

Flats are definitely the key for a classic sound. I'm happy with my Rogue with Labella Deep Talkin' flats (light scale) and the price was right. I find the neck comfortble, and the fit and finish are excellent.

 

[AMJBASS]

Very true. I'll throw a set of TIs on it as soon as I get it home.

Not sure there is a set of TI's that will fit the bass. The Short Scale set MIGHT, but the regular won't. My favorite strings for the Hofners are the Labella beatle bass flatwounds. The Pyramids sound good too but they are pretty expensive.

 

[Orangeclawhammr]

Think I'll take a trip to Guitar Center. I believe they generally carry the Epiphone and the Hofner.

Here's hoping that if they have both, that the controls and switches on them work; like they didn't on the Hofner I tried at GC.

 

[iamthebassman]

I can tell you the Brice from Rondo is a quality instrument, I have one for shows we fly to, so baggage handlers don't get to throw the Hofner around. Here's mine:

But this is my favorite "Beatle" bass:

 

[Rob Martinez]

Hofner Icon is a great Beatle bass for the money. I have a couple!

For a beefier neck, check out an Eastwood Club bass. Very nice, though not a violin bass.

 

[leegreenman]

Hofner Icon is a great Beatle bass for the money. I have a couple!

For a beefier neck, check out an Eastwood Club bass. Very nice, though not a violin bass.

I've actually come around on the thin neck. Bothered me initially, but after a few minutes of playing I got comfortable with it. I'm probably going to pick one up within a week or two.

 

[Rob Martinez]

I've actually come around on the thin neck. Bothered me initially, but after a few minutes of playing I got comfortable with it. I'm probably going to pick one up within a week or two.

Cool! I love the thin neck, esp since I play and sing a lot, it is perfect for my playing style. Enjoy!

 

[N.F.A.]

Rogue VB100 is an excellent cheap choice.

 

[blipndub]

Sometimes I do this duo act and the Rogue always comes along, it's big bottomed and easy to play.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I have a Jay Turser and it plays super great. I don't like the stock knobs and tailpiece tho. It filled that Hofner niche very well. When I bought it they didn't make the Icon.

 

[RonChase]

We have 3 Icons in the house now but non Hofner I have owned that seemed decent were Jay Turser and one made by a company called stadium,I owned a Epi Viola and price wise it was about the same as a Icon,you can maybe geta used Icon near 200 bucks if you look,what I did to mine was take the plastic tuners and switch them out for steel,Now the Epi the Turser and stadium all came stock with normal beefy type tuners like on real bass guitars.I remover pickguards changed tuners got straplocks and changed knobs and also went to flats from round wounds.I saved everything stock and put away now these bass's are much more functional for me.Our Icons are green black cherry and pink but just shop you can find one

 

[leegreenman]

Picked up the Icon today. $369 with hard case from Sam Ash. Can't wait to do some recording with it.

 

[jasper383]

Not sure there is a set of TI's that will fit the bass. The Short Scale set MIGHT, but the regular won't. My favorite strings for the Hofners are the Labella beatle bass flatwounds. The Pyramids sound good too but they are pretty expensive.

The TI JF324 set will fit perfectly.

Medium scale 32" strings are what these Beatle basses need, even though they are 30" scale.

 

[leegreenman]

The TI JF324 set will fit perfectly.

Medium scale 32" strings are what these Beatle basses need, even though they are 30" scale.

Thanks for the heads up. TIs are my string of choice.