Best Beatle Bass

[Texas twelve]

I have already done a search of separate violin type basses on this forum.

I am a guitarist who plays a cheap bass Sundays at my church. Lately I find myself wanting a shorter scale, old, vintage-type beatleish bass guitar. I know that musician's friend has their Rogue, Epi has the viola, and Hofner has the ignition. Also, ebay has about 3-5 off brand violin basses.

What I want to know is which one would you guys recommend. I don't want to spend a lot. But, I do want another bass that looks beatleish, is short scale, and has some sustain. For that last reason, I probably won't go with flats but rounds.

Any suggestions or cautions would be appreciated. I am mostly just a root of the chord, average bass player, but I am finding playing the bass so much fun that I want another one.

Thanks for any help.

 

[RBS_Johnson]

I can`t help you with the listed choices, but if you look long enough you may actually find a vintage bass. I have an old Aria that sounds and plays amazing. I got it for like $100, but I am now in the process of refinishing it. If you keep an eye out you may find one that looks and plays great

-Jake

 

[abarson]

The Jay Turser JTB-2B basses are decent quality, and the one I tried sounded good.
The Douglas WVEB 833 comes from the well-regarded Rondo Music folks, but I have no experience with it.
Both are quite reasonably priced new, and a bargain if you can find them used. I would avoid the ebay ones that don't have a recognizable brand. I recall someone on TB having gotten one, only to determine in the end that it was rather useless. Also avoid the Russian made ones on ebay!

 

[wizerd]

Try Rondo Music. Very Beatley for not a lot of $$.
You'll probably want to change the strings right off the bat.

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[john_martin_sai]

Go for a 60's - early 80's REAL '500-1' Hofner.

such as....

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great investments and 'the' sound.

 

[Maxdusty]

It really depends what your budget is. I would say stick with a Hofner (Icon/ignition on the low end)- you can get one used for around $300

Next one down is an Epiphone Viola for $179
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There is also Douglas which is pretty decent from what I hear, more Epiphone in style with the 3 knobs as opposed to the switches and knob scheme that Hofner or Rogue has. These can be bought new for around $169. You can find fretless versions with this brand.

Rogue is pretty good too- note that there are two series around. Series II (the more current version) is the one you want to look for. I have a Series I that I bought for $100 including a hard case. Jay Turser's viola bass is comparable to Rogue in terms of quality.
It plays very well and happy with it. But in retrospect, I probably would have saved up for a true Hofner.- I just wasn't sure at first if it was for me. It complements my bass collection as it's very comfortable to play - offers a different sound my other basses can't emulate.

That being said, viola basses are not versatile instruments, for example- don't even consider slapping on one lol...but they're awesome for what they're intended to do- I also use it as my main practice bass as it's light, comfortable and you can hear it without having to plug it in.
I would not opt for any of the no-name brands on Ebay. Heard some bad things about them.

 

[tangentmusic]

^^ like the above ^^ Hofner Icon Series... The Hofner name at a low pricepoint

 

[Grissle]

FWIW Flatwounds and tapewounds can have really nice sustain. Which is why many people stuff foam and such under/over the strings. So you should choose a string based on the sound your looking for IMHO. And as far as your question, I would recommend #1 Hofner, #2 Epi, #3 Douglas (from Rondo Music).

 

[ejaggers]

Well, I can't speak for the best cheap Beatle, but the prettiest one I've ever seen is an EKO. I played one in a local music store, and left there quite aroused.



057912

 

[banikek]

I heard that some guy in some big time band played a Hofner. I guess it was the best Beatle bass for him. I like the Hofner Icon a lot and can recommend it. Light, easy to play, great "thump".

 

[iriegnome]

Man, there were about a hundred companies making Beatle Bass copies from the 60's through the 80's. Nora, Norma, Greco, Teisco, Kimberly, and on and on and on. Pick one. If they have survived from then, they are worth the $300. Far better over the Icon/Indonesian series Hofner's

 

[groooooove]

jay turser's beatle bass is by far the best. i've tried the most popular few, rouge, epiphone, hofner, ext... the jay turser is cheap, looks and sounds great.

 

[hennessybass]

In my search for a "Beatle Bass" I ended up with an EKO. Never found a Hoffner I liked playing. The EKO has a little bigger body, and more room to move around. Deeper sound,, and a little more dark. But not in a bad way.

Got my EKO from CL for pretty cheep. It had some places where the finish was coming up, it was missing the logo badge in the headstock, loose screws, and the tuners were no good. Had a guy fix all that up, and still paid way less than the more "mint" EKO that was for sale in a local shop. I have gigged it once or twice, and have used it on several studio tracks.

I put a $.50 in the scroll.

Bad pic, but you get the idea.

 

[senp5f]

I had a very good experience with a Hofner Icon Club Bass (slightly different body shape). I paid $300 for it, and was worth every penny. I later sold it, and I miss it more than basses that cost five times as much.

Fwiw, I found the epiphones too heavy.

Whatever you go with, set aside $40 for some la Bella Beatle bass flats. They are what made the bass for me!

 

[copacetic]

the best Hofner like bass from the 60's were the Klira Twen Stars. Even more resononat and they had an more of an open sound due to the cats eye f holes. the Grecos were good too. however you arentrying to get close to the Beatle look and considering price the Epiphones, Jay Tursers and the icon/ ignitions and CT' can't be beat for the price.

 

[Maxdusty]

Very comfortable basses these violas, I have one on my lap as I'm writing this.
I have a couple of "comfort" basses I keep nearby and pick up when I have the hankering for it. One is the Rogue. Still recommend the Hofner, Epi, Douglas, Rogue/Jay Turser in that order for the more common brands available, if you can find a vintage one (that Eko looks great!) and it's within your budget, definitely give that a try.

Picture attached is of my two comfort basses, nice small size so as not to gouge the nearby wall.

 

[GM60466]

I bought a used Jay Turser violin bass here. It was under $150. It is a great beater bass for the money

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I play my Hofner Ignition in a large church. I used to play German made Hofners, and sold them. I prefer the Ignition, and I am currently using the fabulous Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Roundwound strings. Great sound, spectacular playing.

 

[DeaconK]

I have the Epi Viola with TI Jazz Flats. It's very comfortable, especially for long sets and has that nice "thump."

 

[ch willie]

I recently bought a Hofner CT Violin bass. I expected to get a toy to play with. Instead, it's a serious bass with serious tones. It slaps and pops too. I can dial in some wonderful variations on my amp eq. It costs more than the Icon / Ignition, but from what I've seen in other forums, it seems to be worth the price.