The Rogue has gigged well in my hands, great strung with Chromes and foam at the bridge. One has also been touring onstage with Them Crooked Vultures, not a weekend act by any means.
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Epiphon Viola vs Rogue VB100
- Thread starter HDomazet
- Start date
The Rogue and Epiphone are the same bass, the only difference is the control plate and headstock (and the price of course).
I recommend the Douglas viola bass from rondomusic.com mentioned earlier in the thread. I've owned the fretless and a friend of mine owns the fretted. For the money it's a fantastic bass. Probably doesn't compare too well to a vintage Hofner or Gibson EB1, but at that price you can't go wrong.
Additionally, I think I would recommend some Labella Hofner flats for pretty much any violin bass. It's a breathtaking combination.
Additionally, I think I would recommend some Labella Hofner flats for pretty much any violin bass. It's a breathtaking combination.
Isn't that amazing!! I read something like that a while back, but, I have to believe that his techs can do better than that! I think I'm gonna apply for a new job!!
The only thing really different about the viola is, no pickup switches, a volume control for each pickup and a master tone control.
HDomazet What country are you from?
The only thing really different about the viola is, no pickup switches, a volume control for each pickup and a master tone control.
HDomazet What country are you from?
mellowgerman
I just looked at the Douglas at Rondo. The price is great and the head stock while not as much like the Hofner, is closer than the Epi. On top of that, it seems like there's always a Hofner CT switch plate up for sale on ebay, and they're reasonable. That's an easy switch.
Once again I'd bet money that that bass is made in the same place as the Epi, Rogue, and the Jay Turser. All of them private labeled!
I just looked at the Douglas at Rondo. The price is great and the head stock while not as much like the Hofner, is closer than the Epi. On top of that, it seems like there's always a Hofner CT switch plate up for sale on ebay, and they're reasonable. That's an easy switch.
Once again I'd bet money that that bass is made in the same place as the Epi, Rogue, and the Jay Turser. All of them private labeled!
I really agree with you...
I have had a Viola for almost 13 years, an "Eagle" knock off for 6... and they share a lot of things, even the tailpiece and the pickups were identical (the viola are chromes and the eagle were painted black) I even interchanged pickups just for the look...
Any knockoff is the same, with just little differences to avoid copyright problems I think.
So you just have to pick the one you like the most... that would be all right.
If you want a more hofner alike bass... choose the Hofner Ignition, the same good bass as their cousins but with the Hofner badge at the headstock.
cheers!
The eagle has the viola's pickups and the viola the eagle's... they are exactly the same... in this picture the eagle has a Hofner tailpiece... now is back to factory specks.
In the picture my new HCT... really great bass... I think you should save a little more and have one...
He did got it in tune one time at Mandolin Brothers in New York and spent some of his $$$ for it. (This was around the time the Epiphone Viola came out, I have a picture of it while getting repaired at the place but it won't upload. Anyway here's the story from Mandolin Brothers.
"The need for intense security at Mandolin Brothers becomes quite apparent based on the extreme value of their merchandise and instruments in for repair. One of the most compelling examples of this revolves around Sir Paul McCartney’s prized Hofner Violin Bass, now commonly known as a Beatle Bass.
McCartney had a problem with his legendary bass. After interviewing five international repair shops, Mandolin Brothers was selected as the shop best suited to repair the multi-million dollar instrument. McCartney’s head equipment technician brought the bass to New York in its own seat on the Concorde, and stayed with it in the shop, eight hours a day, during the time it was in the shop’s care.
McCartney is later quoted as saying, “They (Mandolin Brothers) put it in tune for the first time in its life.”
Paul's head equipment tech was John Hammel.
I'm not sure where things stand with you. I had and gigged a Rogue VB100 for years. Loved it and never had one issue with it. I don't know anything about the Epiphone though. That is always the problems in these threads. Many people may not have tried both. I would swear by the Rogue though. (Although, I will admit that I sold mine recently. It didn't fit my band needs anymore and I dislike having unused equipment or instruments sitting around collecting dust.)
I haven't played either, but I would tend to be more amenable to the Epiphone and would probably stay away from the Rogue, I've had good experience with Epi guitars, and a bad experience with a Rogue bass amp, so I'm a little biased.
From Croatia.
Thank you all on your suggestion,but it seems that only Epiphone Viola is available in my country,so I'll go with that.
Its an easy mistake!
Epiphone used to be a completely different company until they were purchased by Gibson in the late 50s. My guitar player owns a preGibson archtop and it is SWEET!
I've had two Violas; the first was the more expensive ($469), but the new one at $300 is identical. It is a very nice bass and surprisingly versatile in sound. I use the round wound D'Addario medium scale, as I need more than the Macca thump, and it is a lot of fun. I found that strap-locks made it more unstable, and went with a nice Dunlop bass strap to cure the slight dive. I have also played the Icon/Ignition extensively, and they have their own voice. To me, the Viola felt less toy-like and more versatile. I also like the VVT controls over the switches.
I would not hesitate to gig with my viola, but would bring another bass with me, as they are tempermental!
If anyone has a recent Rogue VB100 with the flamed maple sides. I would greatly appreciate a pm. New since January 2012.
Why not just save up and get a Hofner Icon violin bass? They can be had new for $400 and I've seen them go for as low as $200 used.
It appears that with the distributor change, that Icons, now called Ignition bass will not be available for a few months. I'm not looking to buy one. I want to ask someone about the newer model of VB100. I bought a new Ignition Club earlier this year.
