Double Bass Eminence EUB v Hofner Violin Bass Guitar

[gypsydjango]

I play an Eminence. I have read that the Hofner violin bass guitar comes close to the double bass in sound. Anybody play the Hofner? If so which model Hofner do you have?

 

[Inky13]

I have a fretless Epiphone Viol that I use to back up my DB.
But whether DB, EUB or EB, they all have their own thing going on.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I've played Hofner basses for 50 years. I struggled learning to play Django's guitar music and the backing rhythm guitar for 6 years. I learned a lot but it became clear that I couldn't play with finesse, so I went back to bass. The Hofner models sound very much like an upright bass when played with flat wound stings, especially Pyramid Gold flats short scale, with just the neck pickup on. Even the Ignition model will get you that sound.

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Hofner violin basses are great, and with flatwounds may very well work quite well tonally for hot club swing. Does it sound like a DB? I wouldn't say so. I own an Eminence also and would recommend sticking to that if you want to play Django music. Any particular reason you want to stay electric as opposed to getting an acoustic DB?

 

[Mouldy]

I play an Eminence. I have read that the Hofner violin bass guitar comes close to the double bass in sound. Anybody play the Hofner? If so which model Hofner do you have?

Check out The Greencards. The bass player plays a Hofner and it sounds fat. Before I ever saw a video of this band I thought it was an Eminence. I have an Eminence but don't have a Hofner.

Actually, I just checked out a video and she's playing an Epiphone it looks like. Sounds fat nevertheless.

 

[Ray175]

I have a Höfner Ignition bass which I've upgraded with German electronics, scratchplate and ebony bridge - massive low-cost improvements. I use La Bella black tapewounds and can confirm that on the neck pickup you can get a good approximation of an acoustic double bass. To get even closer, you can add a noise gate which will accelerate the decay of each note. A good parametric eq will get you even closer. It's not identical, but it's pretty close - except on gliss moves where you obviously get a step change in frequency with every fret you cross. As a 'cellist of 50 years standing (sitting?), I know what an orchestra double bass sounds like (pizz & arco) after sitting in front of dozens of them.
Obviously your amp/speaker setup will impact the sound too. For my bass and Warwick EUB I use a tc electronics BAM200w mini head into a Toob 6.5" Metro BG speaker. Very clean and balanced and with a minuscule amount of plate reverb from a Fender Tre-Verb pedal it really brings out the best in my low frequency instruments. I also use it for clean jazz guitar (1961 Gibson ES-175D) - but set up differently.....

 

[Jon Moody]

A hofner violin bass sounds good, and with some upgrades (I installed Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers in my Icon B Bass) can sound very, very good. But close to a DB? No.

I would be intrigued to hear what a piezo pickup would do to the sound. That may bring it closer to grabbing more of the woodiness and nuance of a DB.

 

[damonsmith]

I did this Sun Ra cover recently and Watt played one on it, he is playing the bass line, originally played by Ronnie Boykins:

They have a bit more thump than other bass guitars. If you just want a low thumpy sound out of the double bass a Hofner could very well replace one. If you want arco and all the other sound of the double bass, it probably won't be a satisfying replacement.

Also, you need to consider if you are thinking about a gig you already have or a gig you are in competition with actual double bassists for. If it is later, you might get some scraps, but Eminence is likely the bare minimum for that purpose!

 

[Ric Vice]

While the Hofner Violin Bass has some of characteristics of a Double Bass, their are other EB’s like the Takamine TB 10, Rob Allen, and the original Godin Acoustibass
(with sympathetic tines under the bridge) that with the right EQ can emulate a DB provided they are fretless or lined fretless models. Since I play DB and studied the instrument for 6 years that’s my take. Just my opinion.

P.S. Thomastick Jazz Flats (which are expensive) are essentially Spirocore Double Bass strings for EB. Their sustain and feel are IMHO the closest you’ll get to a DB.

 

[RobMac]

I'd say it doesn't sound like a DB, but it has its own thing going. I made this video on a fretted Hofner Gold Label violin bass, going through a Phil Jones Double 4. The mic picks up the low-tension strings on the fingerboard. Stock Hofner strings, which are very good.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

…

P.S. Thomastick Jazz Flats (which are expensive) are essentially Spirocore Double Bass strings for EB. Their sustain and feel are IMHO the closest you’ll get to a DB.

No, Thomastik Jazz Flats have a single wire as a core like most (all?) other BG strings whereas the core of Spirocores is made of spirally twisted thinner wires which makes the string more flexible than a single thicker wire at the core.

I would be interested myself in a BG string that is constructed like a Spirocore, but I’m afraid that this kind of string would vibrate farther away from the steady state and clash against the fingerboard much earlier than a single steel wire core string. And most BG players would not pay the price of a Spirocore string for a BG, so no market.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I'd say it doesn't sound like a DB, but it has its own thing going. I made this video on a fretted Hofner Gold Label violin bass, going through a Phil Jones Double 4. The mic picks up the low-tension strings on the fingerboard. Stock Hofner strings, which are very good.

Rob, I didn't realize you were on TalkBass. I also play plectrum banjo and I've enjoyed your videos and informative website on the subject. I wound up getting a copy of the Emile Grimshaw method based on your recommendation.

Okay, carry on with the bass discussions

- Steve