How About an Epiphone Viola?

[AcidicBass]

I'm 28 and have played guitar for ~15 years and want to get a first bass. I have good-size hands and long fingers but I'm 5'8" and Fender basses feel enormous.

I'm looking for a short-scale that could be audible unplugged (I don't expect much tonal quality, just enough sound to play on the couch) that can cover 60s pop, fuzz-rock and blues and maybe I could learn to slap on, although I know there are much better basses for that.

I've always been infatuated with Fender's Mustang Bass but they seem impossible to find (and I hate silver guitars I'm open to getting the cheap Hofner but I want to know the extra money is worth it for more than just the name and headstock - I actually much prefer the appearance of the Epiphone, but I've had some trouble with Epi guitars in the past, fretboard dyeing my fingers black and rough frets.

So is the Epiphone the way to go? Or the Hofner or some other violin bass? Or another short scale entirely? Any and all advice is appreciated

 

[RED J]

Of the MIAsia violin basses I have played, the Epi has the most solid substantial feel overall, and the beefiest neck which feels closer to a long scale neck. It has the great woody hollow body tone, and the sonic advantage of V-V-T controls. It fits your requirements you described, except I can't comment on the slap part because I don't. I'm very happy I got mine, it is well, well worth the price. I have had no negative experiences and if you look around you will find the majority of reviews favorable.

 

[Hotblack]

If you can find one used, it's a great bass. I think the new price is a little high for what it is, but it is a fun little bass.
I suppose you could slap it, but if slapping is your primary goal, I would go for something else. The pickup placement and the type of bridge doesn't seem ideally suited to slapping. Take this with a grain of salt as I rarely slap.

 

[AcidicBass]

It has the great woody hollow body tone, and the sonic advantage of V-V-T controls. It fits your requirements you described, except I can't comment on the slap part because I don't. I'm very happy I got mine, it is well, well worth the price. I have had no negative experiences and if you look around you will find the majority of reviews favorable.

Yeah I'm glad no one's yelled SEARCH FUNCTION at me yet, I know the topic of cheap violins has been covered, was looking for some fresh opinions.

And you're definitely right about the pickup and tone options, coming from guitar it'll help the transition I'd imagine.

 

[RED J]

No problem. I'll add to the above it doesn't have a pickguard which I personally remove anyway. The headstock is a little more artsy than some if you like that, and I kinda do on a 2+2. It's a nice finish and I like my Hofner but hate the dinky guitar tuners. The Epi's are real bass tuners.
Hey go on you tube and find Jam Stage Cz there's a guy on there Jaryn Janek who does a good review. It helps if you speak Czech I don't but the sound speaks for itself.
It has rounds on it and that is the sound I like, Many think that's heresy on a fiddle but you can always push some foam under the strings but not vice versa.

 

[AcidicBass]

Yeah I found that one particularly useful and then this guy plays about 50 of my favorite songs on a Viola:

 

[RED J]

Woot that's great ! I'll never forget sitting in with a band who were all friends and former bandmates playing this and we tore it up. Get chills just remembering ! All chairs were empty ! Hate to tell you how long ago.

 

[GIBrat51]

I have violin basses, but not an Epi. If they ever decide to make it in a lefty, though, I will have one real quick. I have noodled around with them a time or two; thought they were pretty nice. I definitely thought the controls were a big improvement over the Hofner-style ones everyone else seems to feel are necessary. Some people here have complained about the quality, but I don't think they're any worse than anything else made in that part of the world. And their QC seems to get better every year, anyway.. They are definitely loud enough to practice/play around with unplugged, but of course bigger is louder in that situation. I have a Gretsch Broadkaster and an old Epiphone EA-260 hollowbody; those 2 are loud enough unplugged to annoy the neighbors if you live in an apartment. As for slapping; not a good idea at all on any bass with a floating bridge. Unless you like hunting for all the pieces when it falls off onto the floor, or constantly re-intonating it after the bridge moves...

 

[jd56hawk]

I'm 28 and have played guitar for ~15 years and want to get a first bass. I have good-size hands and long fingers but I'm 5'8" and Fender basses feel enormous.

I'm looking for a short-scale that could be audible unplugged (I don't expect much tonal quality, just enough sound to play on the couch) that can cover 60s pop, fuzz-rock and blues and maybe I could learn to slap on, although I know there are much better basses for that.

I've always been infatuated with Fender's Mustang Bass but they seem impossible to find (and I hate silver guitars I'm open to getting the cheap Hofner but I want to know the extra money is worth it for more than just the name and headstock - I actually much prefer the appearance of the Epiphone, but I've had some trouble with Epi guitars in the past, fretboard dyeing my fingers black and rough frets.

So is the Epiphone the way to go? Or the Hofner or some other violin bass? Or another short scale entirely? Any and all advice is appreciated

Epiphone Rumblekat...unless your dead set on a violin bass.

Even though I don't want a short scale, every time I go into Robbie's Music in Wayne, NJ I look at the Rumblekat hanging up in the back corner. Every once in a while I check out ebay, too, and almost bid on one the other day that just sold for $290!

Feels better and sounds better than quite a few violin basses I've played...very substantial feeling, doesn't feel as flimsy to me.

 

[AcidicBass]

Oh well now you got my wires all sorts of crossed...that thing's beautiful. Looks like similar electronics too.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Danelectro Longhorns are back on the market and they are Korean made which means they should be decent.
I had a 90's Korean Longhorn which was a really nice shortscale, but I handed it off to my Grandaughter to learn on a couple years ago. Some love them some hate them. As mentioned above the Rumblekat is pretty nice bass. I really like the stuff Epiphone is putting out. I have a Jack Casady that is amazing.

 

[andruca]

I have a viola I play frequently. Whenever my shoulders feel like having a break from my usual StingRay 5ers I get this (strung DAEB) and rock it. Low B isn't that great at 30" scale of course but nothing my SansAmp RBI can't fix with enough tweak (also easier as I mostly play fast HC with it). For 195€ new here in Europe it's an all around great little bass.

 

[nerkoids]

I'm 28 and have played guitar for ~15 years and want to get a first bass. I have good-size hands and long fingers but I'm 5'8" and Fender basses feel enormous.

I'm looking for a short-scale that could be audible unplugged (I don't expect much tonal quality, just enough sound to play on the couch) that can cover 60s pop, fuzz-rock and blues and maybe I could learn to slap on, although I know there are much better basses for that.

I've always been infatuated with Fender's Mustang Bass but they seem impossible to find (and I hate silver guitars I'm open to getting the cheap Hofner but I want to know the extra money is worth it for more than just the name and headstock - I actually much prefer the appearance of the Epiphone, but I've had some trouble with Epi guitars in the past, fretboard dyeing my fingers black and rough frets.

So is the Epiphone the way to go? Or the Hofner or some other violin bass? Or another short scale entirely? Any and all advice is appreciated

Slap bass on a Violin bass doesn't really work, unless you have some extremely high tension strings -- and even then, it's a non-starter, due to the floating bridge.

The Allen Woody Rumblecat, with its fixed bridge takes care of that, though it doesn't really sound like a violin bass. Violin basses aren't as versatile as solid bodies for that reason. Of course, for the slapping, you could get yourself a short scale Squier vintage modified Jaguar bass, and use the Epi/Hofner for everything else...

 

[danosix]

I'm 28 and have played guitar for ~15 years and want to get a first bass. I have good-size hands and long fingers but I'm 5'8" and Fender basses feel enormous.

I'm looking for a short-scale that could be audible unplugged (I don't expect much tonal quality, just enough sound to play on the couch) that can cover 60s pop, fuzz-rock and blues and maybe I could learn to slap on, although I know there are much better basses for that.

I've always been infatuated with Fender's Mustang Bass but they seem impossible to find (and I hate silver guitars I'm open to getting the cheap Hofner but I want to know the extra money is worth it for more than just the name and headstock - I actually much prefer the appearance of the Epiphone, but I've had some trouble with Epi guitars in the past, fretboard dyeing my fingers black and rough frets.

So is the Epiphone the way to go? Or the Hofner or some other violin bass? Or another short scale entirely? Any and all advice is appreciated

At the low end the Epiphone is the best deal - as others have said the most solid and has the most conventional neck so most people will get along with it well. I had an Epi Viola for about 2 years and it always got compliments on both looks and sound when I played it out. The only reason I "upgraded" to the Hofner CT (it is a better instrument, but for the amount I need a violin style bass the difference in price is not worth it) is because I'm a brand snob.
Ironic since I'm a Danelectro junky - but all my Danos are indeed "brand-name" Danelectros - I don't play those cheapo Jerry Jones, Chandlers or Charvel Surfcasters which are just chincy knock-offs ;P.

 

[jd56hawk]

Oh well now you got my wires all sorts of crossed...that thing's beautiful. Looks like similar electronics too.

If you can find a Rumblekat near you, try it out, of course. As someone else said in another violin bass thread:
Personally, I'd want an Epiphone Allen Woody bass over any of them. Similar pickups and it's chambered, not hollow. It's a really well made bass that could sell for three times as much if it said Gibson instead of Epiphone on the headstock.

 

[bassrich]

With the choice of a Hofner Ed Sullivan, Epiphone Viola, and Hofner British flag when I was looking it was the Viola I liked the most of the three. It seemed sturdier, better overall quality. Sounds great. Lots of bass and can be trebbly with the right strings

 

[RED J]

Yeah I found that one particularly useful and then this guy plays about 50 of my favorite songs on a Viola:

Pardon the derail, but I had to share this. I seldom play my 5 string but some songs just beg for that earthquake low tastefully placed. I downtuned 1/2 step so I could use the low B and.... that low B on the one in a few right places...words escape me. wow, on the 3 bars before the verse comes in,

 

[Zoomaster]

Please see my post on violin bass decision currently posted in topics. Along with that I wanted to tell you that my guitarist likes to noodle around with my basses sometimes, and the Epi viola seemed to be an easy transition for him compared to my other basses. Short scale fast neck. I was very impressed with the quality if my viola, IMO better than the hofner ignition for less $. Hope this helps a little.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'm 28 and have played guitar for ~15 years and want to get a first bass. I have good-size hands and long fingers but I'm 5'8" and Fender basses feel enormous.

I'm looking for a short-scale that could be audible unplugged (I don't expect much tonal quality, just enough sound to play on the couch) that can cover 60s pop, fuzz-rock and blues and maybe I could learn to slap on, although I know there are much better basses for that.

I've always been infatuated with Fender's Mustang Bass but they seem impossible to find (and I hate silver guitars I'm open to getting the cheap Hofner but I want to know the extra money is worth it for more than just the name and headstock - I actually much prefer the appearance of the Epiphone, but I've had some trouble with Epi guitars in the past, fretboard dyeing my fingers black and rough frets.

So is the Epiphone the way to go? Or the Hofner or some other violin bass? Or another short scale entirely? Any and all advice is appreciated

I played a few before, the Epi is a very solid-feeling bass that has great tone to it. Having played many of the Hofner Icons as well, the Epi doesn't feel as cheap. I'd recommend flats if you want real oldschool tone, but playing unplugged you'd probably want to use nickel rounds. Slap, I would not recommend on this bass, everything else will be fantastic.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

They're alright, but quite one dimensional in terms of tone. Mine was strung with pyramid flats, and it had a very bassy and woody tone... And not much else. It also neck dived all the time. The construction was what I'd consider semi solid. I wasn't too worried about it falling apart, but I did have concerns about gigging it and moving it around safely.