Is this a full scale bass? I think it is but not entirely sure.
If it were I'd be extremely surprised. The original is short scale (30") and so is every copy I'm aware of. There are long scale violin basses but they're lutherie, one-off jobs and not direct Beatle bass copies. Oh, and the 32" Epiphone EB-1 from the 90's, but that is solid-body, and a reissue (of sorts) of the original Gibson.
Also, what gauge would be best for a Violin bass? If possible, I'd prefer heavy gauge for a warmer sound. I was thinking Rotosound. Any brands people recommend? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
The Roto flats that fit violin basses (Jazz RS77M = medium scale since the -S are too short for a bass with a trapeze tailpiece) aren't heavy gauge,
and I don't recommend the E: I didn't like its wobbly pitch on the attack (it's too floppy and too rigid a string at the same time).
Perhaps you could fit long-scale Roto flats, which are heavier, rougher at the touch and (at least out the box) brighter than the shorties, but only if you replaced the tailpiece with a really short one, like those on mandolins and banjos, either adapting one from another instrument or making/having one made from the metal sheet up. (Disclaimer: according to users they're the tautest strings around, (solid)bar none, so if you decide you want to try these, and get them to fit, at least make sure they're not the .110 set - the neck might not like them.)
Pyramid Gold flats are what the originals wore in the 60s. The short-scales fit most violin basses: reportedly not all of them (tailpieces vary in length), but should you get a set and verify they don't, swapping the tailpiece, this time with a commonly available (an Ebay search would suffice) but slightly longer one, should be all that it'd take.
I've used them, they're nice and dark and vintagey in tone.
Hofner branded flats are, AFAIK, just repackaged Pyramids, so ditto.
La Bella Deep Talkin' Beatle Bass flats are, if I've read correctly, a wee bit longer than Pyramids so even more likely to fit.
As pointed out about the Rotos, string manufacturers generally make short scale strings which are too short for a violin bass (they would start tapering before the nut), except DR Legend short-scale flats which are 34" ball-end to silk, and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats JF324 (35.5"), which are expensive, highly regarded,
not tubby-thumpy as other brands - actually very lively and present - but I'd still describe them as warm (I'm currently using the E).
As for all other brands, choose their medium scale option: GHS Precision flats, D'Addario Chromes (very bright when new), Optima Chrome flats... And others I don't remember offhand.
(Fender, Ernie Ball, S.I.T., Sadowsky, are long-scale only, so the above re fitting long-scale Rotosounds applies.)
[
Personal experiences in italics, the rest is relayed, as accurate as I can, but corrections welcome.]
