Rogue Viola (VB100) Bass Club

[Mosstone]

Yes but... if the tail piece is too long, forcing the movement of the bridge forward, etc., etc. But I assume you made the appropriate measurements for proper intonation. Just a thought.

Anyhow, I am skeptical that the PU in relation to the bridge has the effect of reducing output to a noticeable point. If it did, you would noticed a dimished output as you fret your way up the string, since the higher registers reduces the amplitude of the vibration of the string. Additionally, any micophonic effect would be increased, especially on a hollow body instrument, the closer the PU is to the bridge. I'm probably wrong, but speculating is fun.

The tailpiece isn't so long that it's occupying the space where the bridge needs to be. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to use it, (and that would be a damn long tailpiece!).

No measurements were really required, as the distance between the tailpiece and the bridge has no relation to scale. Scale length is between the nut and the bridge, not the nut and the tailpiece, so it doesn't matter how close or far away the tailpiece is from the bridge.

In regards to the bridge pickup's output, it's not really a matter of 'output'. The bridge pickup has just as much output as the neck pickup (literally) it's simply not getting as much input as the neck pickup, as there's much less string vibration above the neck pickup than the bridge pickup.

 

[Mosstone]

Just sent out the control plate to Pickguardian to have Tony make one for three pots out of Marble Tort. I'm planning to wire it VBT with a .022 cap. Been toying with the idea of wiring a push/pull switch for series/parallel between the pickups, but that may push this bass WAY over the top in terms of BOOM. I dunno.

The stock tuners have been giving me fits, so I ordered a set of Wilkinson WJB-750s.

I don't know how I missed these when I was looking for this bass before. I like that the stems don't have a drastic taper, like most tuners of this type have. They'll look good with the banjo buttons.

I also like that they're open-back. Kind of a modern-retro look. They kinda look like Hipshot Ultralights too.

Speaking of the banjo buttons, I think I'm gonna cut the 'collar' off the bottom of'm. I think they stick out too far from the headstock a little.

 

[D M C]

Just sent out the control plate to Pickguardian to have Tony make one for three pots out of Marble Tort. I'm planning to wire it VBT with a .022 cap. Been toying with the idea of wiring a push/pull switch for series/parallel between the pickups, but that may push this bass WAY over the top in terms of BOOM. I dunno.

The stock tuners have been giving me fits, so I ordered a set of Wilkinson WJB-750s.

I don't know how I missed these when I was looking for this bass before. I like that the stems don't have a drastic taper, like most tuners of this type have. They'll look good with the banjo buttons.

I also like that they're open-back. Kind of a modern-retro look. They kinda look like Hipshot Ultralights too.

Speaking of the banjo buttons, I think I'm gonna cut the 'collar' off the bottom of'm. I think they stick out too far from the headstock a little.

Haven't checked in in a while. Any more pics of your mods would be nice @Mosstone.

 

[Mosstone]

Haven't checked in in a while. Any more pics of your mods would be nice @Mosstone.

I'm waiting

Haven't checked in in a while. Any more pics of your mods would be nice @Mosstone.

Sorry... I actually created a thread for this project a while ago. I guess I should have posted a link here:

Beatle Bass Overhaul

Unfortunately, I just discovered since Photobucket has decided to become a pay only service, some of the more recently posted photos in my threads have been replaced with this:

Not all of the photos are gone, though... Just the last few in the thread (for some reason).

Photobucket can suck it if they think holding my photos hostage will compel me to pay them $400 a year for 3rd party hosting. I'll replace the missing photos myself, just give me a little time.

Believe it or not, the project is still technically not 100% complete. I decided to have a PG and TRC made out of the same material as the control plate. Tony's had it for about a month now... It should be ready soon.

 

[D M C]

Sorry

No problem. Whenever you get the time. I'll drop in from time to time. Thx.

 

[crunge]

Hey, late to the club, but I just got my first violin bass! It took a couple of tries to get a keeper from MF - the first one had a seriously misaligned bridge pickup, the second one was only slightly misaligned. Of interest was that the first one had a more Hofner-esque narrow waist and a single post inside the body under the bridge, while the one I wound up keeping has the wider waist and TWO posts inside, one under the bridge and one where a middle pickup would go. The first one also had a nicer flame top. Oh well...

I'm very impressed with the amount of low end this thing puts out with LaBella flats. The narrow string spacing an short scale will take time to adjust to, but worth the effort for that thumpy woody sound.

I immediately painted the crappy pearloid plastic with black, and scraped the edges. I have Fender amp knobs installed for now, while I decide if I really want teacups.

I had a set of those TV Jones designed Gretsch buckers off the Jr Jet 2202 bass, so I replaced the generic mini-buckers. They sound much more clear and open, and the fidelity from bass to treble was greatly improved. I had to angle and jack up the bridge pickup ring to get the pickup parallel to the strings, which helped balance out the volume and fatness with the neck pup.

Can't wait to try it with the band!

 

[Mosstone]

Hey, late to the club, but I just got my first violin bass! It took a couple of tries to get a keeper from MF - the first one had a seriously misaligned bridge pickup, the second one was only slightly misaligned. Of interest was that the first one had a more Hofner-esque narrow waist and a single post inside the body under the bridge, while the one I wound up keeping has the wider waist and TWO posts inside, one under the bridge and one where a middle pickup would go. The first one also had a nicer flame top. Oh well...

I'm very impressed with the amount of low end this thing puts out with LaBella flats. The narrow string spacing an short scale will take time to adjust to, but worth the effort for that thumpy woody sound.

I immediately painted the crappy pearloid plastic with black, and scraped the edges. I have Fender amp knobs installed for now, while I decide if I really want teacups.
View attachment 2759021

I had a set of those TV Jones designed Gretsch buckers off the Jr Jet 2202 bass, so I replaced the generic mini-buckers. They sound much more clear and open, and the fidelity from bass to treble was greatly improved. I had to angle and jack up the bridge pickup ring to get the pickup parallel to the strings, which helped balance out the volume and fatness with the neck pup.
View attachment 2759022

Can't wait to try it with the band!

Good job! How did you make that angled pickup ring? My bridge pickup is parallel with the top, but I found just raising it improved the output and the clarity 100%.

 

[crunge]

Good job! How did you make that angled pickup ring? My bridge pickup is parallel with the top, but I found just raising it improved the output and the clarity 100%.

Thanks! I cut tapered pieces off a rubber gasket and just stuck them under each side of the stock pickup ring.

 

[gip111]

What is a good pickup height for these bass? In other words... how close to the strings?

 

[Yaralag]

VB100s are on sale for $169.99 at Musicians Friend. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try my first violin bass. It’ll be here on Tuesday.

 

[PDGood]

I've been thinking about picking up a Vogue violin bass but I keep reading conflicting reports about if it's hollow or semi-hollow. Do both versions exist? Apologies if this has already been covered in this thread. I've been reading for days looking for an answer and decided to ask the folks in the know.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I've been thinking about picking up a Vogue violin bass but I keep reading conflicting reports about if it's hollow or semi-hollow. Do both versions exist? Apologies if this has already been covered in this thread. I've been reading for days looking for an answer and decided to ask the folks in the know.

I believe the recent ones are hollow mine was solid (bought it in 2001).

 

[PDGood]

I believe the recent ones are hollow mine was solid (bought it in 2001).

Thanks. I'm interested in the Korean version. So those are semi-hollow?

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Thanks. I'm interested in the Korean version. So those are semi-hollow?

A friend Of mine bought one last year and it was hollow (or semi - definitely lighter than mine was). Not sure where it was made. Not quite the definitive answer you’re looking for. Depending upon where you buy it, try it, if you don’t like it return it. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

 

[PDGood]

A friend Of mine bought one last year and it was hollow (or semi - definitely lighter than mine was). Not sure where it was made. Not quite the definitive answer you’re looking for. Depending upon where you buy it, try it, if you don’t like it return it. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

Thanks. I'm shopping online so trying to avoid a situation where a return would be necessary. I've heard videos of the VB-100 and really liked the sound. There is one for sale now that is listed as VB100VS and semi-hollow. That's what got me to wondering if there was a second model. After reading, I see that the China ones are fully hollow, but as I said, I prefer the made in Korea ones due to appearance and I've heard them and know that I like their sound. But I don't know if I've been hearing VB-100s or VB100VS's - if there is any difference.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Thanks. I'm shopping online so trying to avoid a situation where a return would be necessary. I've heard videos of the VB-100 and really liked the sound. There is one for sale now that is listed as VB100VS and semi-hollow. That's what got me to wondering if there was a second model. After reading, I see that the China ones are fully hollow, but as I said, I prefer the made in Korea ones due to appearance and I've heard them and know that I like their sound. But I don't know if I've been hearing VB-100s or VB100VS's - if there is any difference.

I’m sure there’s some difference in Sound. I have a semi-hollow Hofner and a completely hollow Hofner. There is a difference and not just due to the pups. The hollow has strange kind of delayed, organic vibe and the notes seem to resonate in subtle but appealing way that I really like. If I was gigging with just one though, I’d take the semi hollow because at times it reminds me of a PBass.

 

[GIBrat51]

Thanks. I'm interested in the Korean version. So those are semi-hollow?

Here's my '91 MIK Rogue. No, they are not semi-hollow. They do sound a little different from Chinese VB-100s; mainly because the body is made of about 3/8'' thick plywood, instead of the traditional steam-bent thin laminate that's used on the new ones. The body's perimeter is thicker, and they weigh a little bit more than a new one, but they're just as hollow inside. If you're looking for one, the black body is what gives them away. Mine is strung with Roto 88 Tapes; all I'll say is - this is what Sir Paul wishes his Hofner sounded like...

 

[PDGood]

Thanks, that's good info. From what I'm reading, they have a block of wood beneath the bridge but not one that runs the length of the bass. So maybe that's why some think it is semi-hollow.
One question - if a black body is what defines them and you have one and yours is sunburst that doesn't seem to add up. What am I missing?

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Thanks, that's good info. From what I'm reading, they have a block of wood beneath the bridge but not one that runs the length of the bass. So maybe that's why some think it is semi-hollow.
One question - if a black body is what defines them and you have one and yours is sunburst that doesn't seem to add up. What am I missing?

Maybe you’re not missing anything but this - there are lots of places manufacturing these violin basses and on a given day you get one that was produced in plant X or plant B and then depending on inventory you might get one that’s been sitting in warehouse Z or warehouse Q.

I don’t think anyone can tell you what to expect other than a violin style bass that may need a bit of setup (or not - mine didn’t) , new strings and probably sounds pretty good.

 

[PDGood]

I totally get that. I've owned a few back in the day and listened to quite a lot on some really nice speakers. They do vary. To my ears the Vogue is the most consistent in sounding how I like. More than Hofner or Greco, or Epi.