/ Register

NBD - Epiphone Viola

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by BassJuju, Apr 24, 2018.

Tags:
Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 24, 2018 #1
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    First, I have a bit of a hollow body bass fetish. I found this one while reading about Hofner violin basses and decided to go with the Viola.

    She is my first short scale since 1978 and I've never had a violin bass. I played her for about an hour tonight and I’m really very impressed with this bass. Big tone and lots of thump. One of the reason I chose this one was the VVT knobs and I like that a lot.

    Here is the cool stuff...
    03524C83-640E-4A23-A9EC-4FAEFB0C3258.jpeg 9261612B-D83A-48BB-A62B-8830C0DC80CB.jpeg FE89ED6D-08DB-4651-A29C-845B9CE0EBB6.jpeg 76A7AF47-A67D-4FDD-83E9-B2D73D30E17E.jpeg 67815940-926A-462F-81F7-5F28A402F295.jpeg
     
    EatS1stBassist, west al, zbigniew and 7 others like this.
  2. Apr 24, 2018 #2
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    I played one of these at GC for an hour yesterday (even posted a thread about it...) and I was thoroughly impressed with it! I am actually considering buying one some time...weird since I never liked Violin or short scale basses until I played this one. Tons of tone in that thing for sure = tons of fun! Enjoy!

    What I found interesting was that it has a zero-fret, AND the bridge has mini-frets that the strings break over, really ensuring that open notes do sound as close as possible to fretted notes.
     
    lowplaces and BassJuju like this.
  3. Apr 24, 2018 #3
    fermata

    fermata Guest

    Nov 10, 2015
    I love (semi) hollow-bodies in general and violin basses in particular, and I've found the Epiphone Viola to be an excellent instrument, on par with Hofner's Contemporary line in build quality.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2018 #4
    Paul63

    Paul63

    Jul 16, 2016
    Nico bass! Does it have neckdive issues?
     
  5. Apr 25, 2018 #5
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    Haven’t put it on a strap yet. With what it weighs, it couldn’t be too serious of an issue if it does. The strap button placement, behind the heal, has solved that issue on all of my other hollow bodies and I would thnk it would here as well.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2018 #6
    Orpheus55

    Orpheus55

    Nov 7, 2006
    Punta Gorda FL
    I have had a few of these over the last 20 years or so, and always found them to be excellent. I let them go only because of the type of music I play. I recommened the LaBella flats for these. I also had a Johnson that was very similar sounding, though not quite as nicely made. I agree that these are superior to the Chinese Hofners
     
  7. Apr 25, 2018 #7
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    I’m trying to order the La Bella’s. BSO is out of stock. I agree that they are the way to go.
     
    pudgychef likes this.
  8. Apr 25, 2018 #8
    Old Blastard

    Old Blastard

    Aug 18, 2013
    Virginia
    I believe the Epi and my Rondo-sold Douglas are from the same factory and I love my viola bass. The pickups are more Gibsonish and the tone is a bit more full.

    Still, I now have the Ignition Hofner Club and it's a full on hollowbody with its own great sound. Best of all, both sound good with the band.
     
  9. Apr 25, 2018 #9
    Crusher47

    Crusher47 Tattoo'ed Freak

    Apr 12, 2014
    Fort Worth, TX
    Really cool, Congrats!
     
  10. Apr 25, 2018 #10
    blue4

    blue4

    Feb 3, 2013
    St. Louis area
    I have one as well, from Korea according to the serial number and Epiphone's website. I really like it. Its surprisingly versatile. I use tapewounds on it.
     
  11. Apr 26, 2018 #11
    MAJOR METAL

    MAJOR METAL The Beagle Father Supporting Member

    Sep 10, 2002
    Where I lay my head is home
    Congrats! I remember one those first came out.
     
  12. Apr 26, 2018 #12
    pudgychef

    pudgychef In Memoriam

    Jan 22, 2005
    Chongqing, China
    This are great. Happy NBD and congrats!
     
  13. Apr 26, 2018 #13
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    looks great! congratulations on your new instrument! :thumbsup:
     
  14. Apr 26, 2018 #14
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    I ordered the case too, but it took a day longer. It’s a good fit.
    6E0F1DC9-3159-4974-A5E1-439FECB3E715.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

    el jeffe bass and G-Z like this.
  15. Apr 26, 2018 #15
    lowplaces

    lowplaces Got Punch ?

    Dec 20, 2015
    Louisville Kentucky
  16. Apr 27, 2018 #16
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    lowplaces likes this.
  17. Apr 30, 2018 #17
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    I had the LaBella flats installed today and took it to practice. What an amazing bass this is. It sounded decent before, but the flats are perfect. I’d forgotten just how much I like flats as well. I think I need more flats in my life. For this bass, flats are where it’s at.
     
    G-Z and lowplaces like this.
  18. Apr 30, 2018 #18
    lowplaces

    lowplaces Got Punch ?

    Dec 20, 2015
    Louisville Kentucky
    Where did you wind up getting the strings ?
     
  19. May 1, 2018 #19
    BassJuju

    BassJuju

    Jul 9, 2016
    Texas
    I ordered them from GC. Wish I had looked here first. Looks like we might be neighbors.
     
    lowplaces likes this.
  20. Jun 17, 2018 #20
    That Old Guy

    That Old Guy

    Apr 12, 2018
    I paid under $150. for my Epi Viola about a year ago and I'm convinced it is one of the sweetest sounding and most versatile basses out there! Anyone considering spending a small fortune on a high-end bass should sit down with one of these for a while first. I use nylon tape-wound strings - effortless!
     
    lowplaces and BassJuju like this.
Page 1 of 2