Hofner Violin Bass playing metal??

[SgtSloffsMetal]

Hey all, I love the look of violin basses, and I was wondering if you could make a Hofner bass sound more heavy and dirty for metal. Thanks for the help!!

 

[christw]

I feel like it would be a funny touch to a symphonic metal setting.

But, it would help to define dirty / heavy.

Downtuning with a set of heavier gauge strings and a Bass VT pedal as a cheap / easy answer.

 

[wagstaff]

A nice mild distortion would do it.

 

[Gearhead43]

 

[superhand]

Yeah why not? Just paint it black or something.

I've been looking at this one right here for a little while, it's no Hofner, but its a real nice price: Link Removed

 

[J. Crawford]

I always, since I first started, thought the most metal thing to do would be rock a Hofner with pink strings.

 

[Poor Tom]

I don't see why you couldn't. Add some distortion/OD stompboxes if it helps.

 

[Darkstrike]

Why not, you can play metal on any bass, or guitar you like.


EDIT: I often play metal on an acoustic bass guitar, fwiw.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

I'm sure it can sound somewhat aggressive if you string it with stainless steel strings, crank the bridge pickup and play with a bit of force.

 

[René_Julien]

No, just no.


You can only play in a Beatles coverband with a Hofner Violin Bass.

 

[amimbari]

now you guys did it....this week I'm posting a youtube video of me playing my violinBass to some Maiden-metal

 

[Dave Bassincus]

You COULD play metal with a violin bass, just like you COULD do surgery with a pocket knife. However, neither would be anybody's first choice.

 

[3toes]

Not metal but Rose Hill Drive gets a nice driving sound out of one

 

[wilsonn]

Own one, and it's for sale in the classies, and no, I wouldn't play anything heavy on it. It's a short scale, extremely lightweight bass. My bandmates were very pleased when I got a Lakie as my main ax.

 

[DaveF]

You COULD play metal with a violin bass, just like you COULD do surgery with a pocket knife. However, neither would be anybody's first choice.

OMG sigged!

 

[MoBeach]

I would say no, just adding distortion won't make it sufficient for metal. I play mostly metal and don't even own a distortion pedal. You want a naturally growly tone for metal and a Hofner won't give that to you. Contact Warmoth and see if they'll make a solid body in that shape, throw some EMG's or Basslines on it, a long scale neck and you're good to go.

 

[maestrovert]

No, just no.


You can only play in a Beatles coverband with a Hofner Violin Bass.

?
Why not use it for metal ?

It seems to me that the Hofner's short(er) scale, *in concert with the decided lack of sustain of the hollowbody along with the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] -which would naturally tend to increase focus on the note fundamentals btw- would be in the metal techniques ballpark for fast staccato playing, most definitely....
Can't hurt to give it a try, i say go for it !(an' that's METAL dude....


*yes, i love puns !

 

[René_Julien]

?
Why not use it for metal ?

If you took my post seriously then there is something wrong with you.




I play a fretless precision bass in a prog metal band.

And I don't use distortion or overdrive in a metal mix.
Pure clean power mostly works best against distorted guitars.

 

[maestrovert]

If you took my post seriously then there is something wrong with you.

I didn't, and there's not.

 

[odysseios]

Bob Daisley with Ozzy Osbourne and his Hofner 1963 500/1 Violin Bass:



Not exactly a Paul McCartney sound