• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Opinions on Violin Basses

#121
...Basshappy...

That is a beautiful bass...

Reminds me of basses from acclaimed Atlanta luthier, Jay Rhiness...[J Rhine Guitars] R I P . He hand craftes simialr basses in 1970's with hand wound pick ups and scrolled heads.

Make a long scale with fretless version and you will sell as many and you can make.
 
#122
I have an Epiphone Viola, bought it around 12 years ago.

I really wanted a Hofner (yup, because of Macca) but at the time a real Hofner was way out of my budget. Over the years, Hofners have been on and off of my wish-list.

The Viola is ok.. but I don't play it often. No particular reason - it's just that I have other basses that I prefer.

Nice 'bunky' sound. Very warm. I've used it live a handful of times and at jams when we're doing Beatle (and Beatle-esque) songs. Bridge pickup on it's own is kinda dry sounding. Not much taper to the neck, and the string spacing is almost the same at the bridge as it is at the nut.

Beautiful fit and finish, lightweight. But as someone else said - it tends to neck dive a bit. Overall it's so light, so the diving was never a huge issue for me. But I can see how it would bother some people, comfort-wise.
 
#123
Always wanted a violin bass..Reason: Sir Paul as well as Felix Pappalardi's EB-1.
I don't like short scale basses, generally.

I remember the Epi Viola..clone of EB-1. Oddly, it was fretless. Very affordable, even then.

Compare pricing of vintage Gibson EB-1 to Epi Viola..pennies to the dollar.
 
#124
zon6c-f said:
...Basshappy...

That is a beautiful bass...

Reminds me of basses from acclaimed Atlanta luthier, Jay Rhiness...[J Rhine Guitars] R I P . He hand craftes simialr basses in 1970's with hand wound pick ups and scrolled heads.

Make a long scale with fretless version and you will sell as many and you can make.
Click to expand...

Hello zonc-f

Thanks so much for the kind words.

This is my first introduction to J Rhine Guitars. I will do a search, I am definitely curious.

Best to you,

BassHappy
 
#125
BassHappy...

I believe Jay passed away before Greg Curbow?? I may be mistaken, there.

Greg studied under Jay before branching out on his own.

Good luck with any info you can find on 'j rhine' basses/ guitars. PLEASE SHARE WHEN YOU DO!!

Jay had a shop in his home in Decatur, ga in early 70's, then relocated to Conyers Ga ..then to Kennesaw Ga, where he died.

I recall seing 'violin' basses.. solid body guitars..all hand crafted. in his shop.. Basses had scrolled headstocks which I REALLY appreciated..works of art and highly prized by those lucky enough to own one. Jay wound his own pups as well.

Last time I saw him in Conyers the 1980's, he was doing some ' buck-skin 'stuff..had a muzzle loader , hand crafted knife and scabbard...and all of that.

Again..your bass is BEAUTIFUL.
 
#126
zon6c-f said:
BassHappy...

I believe Jay passed away before Greg Curbow?? I may be mistaken, there.

Greg studied under Jay before branching out on his own.

Good luck with any info you can find on 'j rhine' basses/ guitars. PLEASE SHARE WHEN YOU DO!!

Jay had a shop in his home in Decatur, ga in early 70's, then relocated to Conyers Ga ..then to Kennesaw Ga, where he died.

I recall seing 'violin' basses.. solid body guitars..all hand crafted. in his shop.. Basses had scrolled headstocks which I REALLY appreciated..works of art and highly prized by those lucky enough to own one. Jay wound his own pups as well.

Last time I saw him in Conyers the 1980's, he was doing some ' buck-skin 'stuff..had a muzzle loader , hand crafted knife and scabbard...and all of that.

Again..your bass is BEAUTIFUL.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info - I got his name to come up several places but wasn't able to see any photos of him or any of his basses.

I tried a lot of stuff as far as searches go - If anyone has info on Jay please pass it along. I am very interested.

Thanks again for the kind words....I play it a lot - with those modeled electronics there are 24 good reasons not to set it down!

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
 
#127
ALL..Sorry if these stories seem off topic, but Jay was a great luthier and hand crafted affordable scrolled head violin basses ... Thanks for your patence.....

....OK...Jay played in a country/ swing band in the early '80s. His crafted bass was similar to a 'Jack Casady' styled bass, as I recall.. he told me specs on it..sadly, I didn't note it down as it wasn't imoprtant..at that time as I am not a luthier. I remember it had a burled top...Who was doing THAT then??

That bass had a unique voice..instant great tone, yet you couldn't pigeon-hole it like when you readily identify tones as P or J sound..Ric or MM sound from a recording.

I remember Jay as being kind and patient..soft spoken.. humble...'country'.. and immensely knowledgeable without being pretentious.

I took my Ric to him to have the cap clipped. Instantly his apprentices EAGERLY wanted to re-fret it as I used rounds..frets were showing wear. He softly called them away telling them it had a few more years left on those frets...LOL..

Greg Curbows wife may have some info..pics..?? Sadly I believe Greg's shop and school is now closed.

In Jay's orignal home/ shop..I remember seeing scrolled head violin basses.. I believe his technique was in chambered/ hollow-bodied..again..only a memory from the early 70's.

His guitars were prized and sought after by many..especially local legends, like Glenn Phillips of Hampton Grease band. I remember recognizing Phillips old Flying VEE in Jays shop.... Phillips had taken a hole cutter.. drilled holes in the wings for some reason and 'ruined' what wouid now be considfered an expensive vintage Gibson...JAY WAS INFURIATED AT THE BLASPHEMY.

Years later, I told the story to Glenn.. He felt shamed..but he said back then.. you could buy 1950's Gibsons for $200..WHO KNEW??
 
#128
Just took it out of the box after work, and right away I threw out the strings. I strung up a set of D'Addario Medium scale flats, I'm still working the zing out of them.

Build quality feels good, action was almost just right out of the box, same with intonation.

The body is entirely hollow, and light. The neck dives like a Japanese pilot, but I have to say that that is my only big gripe.

Not bad for $149.99 with free shipping.
 

Attachments

  • Front.jpg
    Front.jpg
    105.9 KB · Views: 70
  • PG.jpg
    PG.jpg
    84.4 KB · Views: 59
#129
More pics, One thing I noticed is that the routes in the control plate for the switches is a bit slap-dash.

One more thing I'm not a huge fan of, but can live with, is that the pick-guard is not held up by a bracket like the Hoffy's. It is a piece of plastic screwed flat to the body.
 

Attachments

  • Plate1.jpg
    Plate1.jpg
    81.3 KB · Views: 61
  • Body.jpg
    Body.jpg
    104.5 KB · Views: 60
#131
iriegnome said:
I had a 1970 or so Norma Beatle Bass copy. It was probably the best beatle violin type bass I have played. I have had several others from Hofner, Hofner Icon, Eko, Greco and a few others. That Norma was by far the best.
Click to expand...

I had a turquoise Beatle Bass by Kimberley that was quite cool, staple pickups and everything.
Re: Epi Viola: It's a Hofner copy. Epiphone briefly made an EB-1 copy, but it was a toy compared to the old Gibsons.
 
#133
zon6c-f said:
Always wanted a violin bass..Reason: Sir Paul as well as Felix Pappalardi's EB-1.
I don't like short scale basses, generally.

I remember the Epi Viola..clone of EB-1. Oddly, it was fretless. Very affordable, even then.

Compare pricing of vintage Gibson EB-1 to Epi Viola..pennies to the dollar.
Click to expand...

They made fretted versions too. ;) I just got this today and man, it's no Hofner. Solid and huge sounding. Great neck and purty too.
1zwkhfb.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: El Pelusa
#135
I have a 'cheap' Starfire Violin bass, and an older, Korean Rogue VB-100. I bought the Starfire just to teach myself how to do set ups, and wiring, and stuff like that. In spite of all the abuse it's endured, it still sounds pretty good, and plays remarkably well. The Rogue is a gorgeous little thing and sounds almost as good as it looks. Kind of killed my desire for a Hofner, actually. Especially considering what they want for a real, German lefty.:rollno:

I did play a lefty Hofner CT at the Sam Ash here, a couple of weeks ago (the only lefty in the place). It seemed heavy, compared to the Rogue, and (to me, at least) didn't really sound any better. Of course, could have been the amp, or something, but I wasn't that impressed. Especially for the money.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back