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Icon/Turser/Epiphone Viola??

R

Rickochet

Mar 30, 2009
2
0
#1
Hi all, I'm new to the bass (and to the forum), and would like the benefits of your experience. My goal is strictly recreational, to play Beatles and comparable stuff as a hobby. I can't afford a German-made Hofner and would like to know which among the "cheapies" - Hofner Icon, Jay Turser, Epiphone Viola - is the best alternative, sound/playability/quality-wise. Thanks, and nice to be with you all!

Rick
 
#3
I have the Epiphone, and I love it... the Douglas does look very similar... I personally like the vol vol tone 3 knob setup that the epi (and the douglas, I think) has... One thing I also like is that the Epi has a Zero Fret... I just like the Zero fret... most of my basses have em... EPI gets my vote, but you would probably like the Douglas too
 
#4
Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass Rick.

Once, a long time ago I had the Epi, and while nothing spectacular, it was a decent instrument that I can recommend.

If the looks aren't the most important aspect, but the sound, check (Google ;)) for 60's Höfner 182.

Looks like a Jag/Strat, but has the same pickups and same kind of neck as the "real deal", but for a fraction of the price.

Regards
Sam
 
#7
I owned the Epiphone for a few years and I absolutely loved it. The fit and finish was superb and the sound was just unbeatable once I put some flatwounds on it. It's definitely better than the Turser and the Rogue but I never had the chance to compare it to the Icon.
 
#11
A couple of years ago a gent at the Fenderforum acquired and did side-by-side testing of Turser, Epiphone, Rogue and Douglas. There was essentially no difference between them in sound quality or playability. I don't recall whether the bottom-end Hofner was involved or not.

I have the Rogue VB-100; the construction and finish are excellent, and with LaBella Hofner flats on it, the sound is great. It's a good way to go. I think the Epi, Turser or Douglas would also be good.
 
#12
Pilgrim said:
A couple of years ago a gent at the Fenderforum acquired and did side-by-side testing of Turser, Epiphone, Rogue and Douglas. There was essentially no difference between them in sound quality or playability. I don't recall whether the bottom-end Hofner was involved or not.

I have the Rogue VB-100; the construction and finish are excellent, and with LaBella Hofner flats on it, the sound is great. It's a good way to go. I think the Epi, Turser or Douglas would also be good.
Click to expand...

Rudy? The Icon was not out at the time he did that shootout. I am not sure it was the Douglas either. It was a Rogue, Brice, Epiphone and another if I remember correctly. I think the Brice or the Rogue was his favorite.

I give the nod to the Icon as it is an official Hofner even if it is an import. I believe it has more exact measurements as well.
 
#13
I have the Hofner Icon and love it. I also love the Beatles, so it was an easy choice. I am sure the others are good basses as well.

I also just got an Eastwood Club Bass off of ebay and it is a killer Beatle-tone bass with La Bella flatwounds on it!
 
#14
Johnny Alien said:
Rudy? The Icon was not out at the time he did that shootout. I am not sure it was the Douglas either. It was a Rogue, Brice, Epiphone and another if I remember correctly. I think the Brice or the Rogue was his favorite.

I give the nod to the Icon as it is an official Hofner even if it is an import. I believe it has more exact measurements as well.
Click to expand...

Yep, Rudy. He got chucked out of there just before I did. I just recall it as being so even that it was a "pickum".

Sic transit forum.
 
#17
I had a Rogue VB-100. I couldn't believe how well-made it was, given how cheap they are. Good playing, good sounding bass. It has the original Hofner-style controls; I don't know which ones do or don't but not all of them do.
 

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