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Problem: Pitch warble on Epiphone Viola Bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by lowerthanlow, Jan 13, 2009.

  1. Jan 13, 2009 #1
    lowerthanlow

    lowerthanlow Guest

    Jan 13, 2009
    I'm trying to buy an Epiphone Viola Bass (the Hofner Beatle Bass imitation). But the pitch on the Epi Viola basses I've tried drifts considerably when I play the open E (or low notes up to about G at 3rd position), oscillating between flat, sharp, on pitch, sharp, flat, etc, a bit like tape warble. (This happens regardless of right hand technique.) Other than this, I like the bass, though I'm not interested in it if the problem is unfixable. Is there a way to cure this pitch warble problem or should I move on to another bass?
     
  2. Jan 13, 2009 #2
    lonote

    lonote Guest

    May 1, 2002
    Cottage Grove, St. Paul suburb
    Have them restring it for you.
     
  3. Jan 13, 2009 #3
    lefty007

    lefty007

    Jan 19, 2004
    Miami, FL
    Check two things:

    -That the pickups are not too close to the strings, and

    -That the strings are winded correctly and there is a good breaking angle after the nut, going to the bottom of the tuning peg. The strings should depart from the botton of the tuning peg, not the middle or top. Lack of angle at the nut can sometimes create such warbling effects, in my experience.
     
  4. Jan 22, 2009 #4
    lowerthanlow

    lowerthanlow Guest

    Jan 13, 2009
    A Jay Turser seems to have solved the problem rather nicely. Sweet bass.
     
  5. Jan 22, 2009 #5
    Rush-2112

    Rush-2112

    Dec 14, 2008
    New York City
    Good choice...I've had the Jay Turser one for a good 2 years and a half. Agreed, sweet bass.
     
  6. Jan 22, 2009 #6
    rfclef

    rfclef

    Jan 19, 2007
    Gervais, Oregon
    I have the Epi, and love it... I do not seem to have that problem, so check the strings and pickups stuff as mentioned before... Does not seem to be inherent in the instrument...