Rogue Viola (VB100) Bass Club

[BuddhaFingas]

I spent part of yesterday drawing a schematic for the stock control setup.
The oddest thing is that the tone cap is only in circuit when set for Treble On, Bass Off.
Since the cap ties the output to ground with no resistor inline, it's working as a treble CUT... while in Treble-only (bridge pickup) mode.

Which is kind of odd, design-wise.

All the photos I see in the tread of the controls are wired the same way (mirrored, since mine is LH), so it's not a matter of a previous owner monkeying with the wiring.

Must be that the bridge pickup on it's own is too twangy for a bass, especially given it's distance down from the strings even when raised fully up.

It works on this bass. It's just... odd. Quirky.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Finished my "aged 4-ply" pickguard and truss cover.
To me it matches the bindings and plastic better, subtly unique.

The control plate will need nore time. Square holes and legend need some doing.

 

[B-Mac]

Finished my "aged 4-ply" pickguard and truss cover.
To me it matches the bindings and plastic better, subtly unique.

The control plate will need nore time. Square holes and legend need some doing.

View attachment 4806702 View attachment 4806703 View attachment 4806704 View attachment 4806705

Its all in the details!

Nice touches!

 

[Roger Ford]

Thanks for the info @Roger Ford! Did you find any difference between the sound of Hofner and the Rogue?

I'm still playing round wounds. I didn't notice a great difference other than slightly warmer tone from the Club which amp adjustment took care of. The changes I've made over the years are a German tailpiece, teacup knobs and the pearl knobs on the tuners from Stewmac.

 

[SoulReflection]

I'm still playing round wounds. I didn't notice a great difference other than slightly warmer tone from the Club which amp adjustment took care of. The changes I've made over the years are a German tailpiece, teacup knobs and the pearl knobs on the tuners from Stewmac.

Thanks for the info. I have been (surprisingly) pleased with the tone of my Rogue. I have often wondered if I was missing anything that a Hofner could offer. The Rogue is a keeper, although I do not use it that much, the price was right .

 

[BuddhaFingas]

When I took the nut off to realign it (it was slightly off-center) I was surprised that it is actuslly molded plastic, and hollow.
Eventually I may do a Tusq nut for it, to see if gives a bit more sustain. But for now there's really nothing wrong with how it plays, and the height seems exactly right for me.

 

[DodgeSpiritRT]

My Rogue. Removed the squiggly line Rogue tailpiece and installed a Hofner-esque looking tailpiece, removed the white pearl truss rod cover and installed a black one shaped like the Epiphone Viola's, removed Rogue chrome strap buttons and installed Hofner plastic cream strap buttons, installed the control unit "upside down" like the Hofner. I am waiting for plastic paddle-style tuner (like the chrome ones on there) and have Teacups knobs - yet - to install. Trying to sell it on Facebook as I have two of these Rogue VB100s.

 

[Roger Ford]

StewartMacdonald has the white pearl tuner knobs. A black sharpie on the edge of the PG and control plate sets them off nicely. I bought teacups and a Hofner tailpiece on Ebay.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I find I'm following a pattern... I play my P or PJ until my pinky gets tired, then I switch to the V-Bass and can carry on comfortably.

Kind of like circuit training.

Dithering over maybe replacing the tuners. They are a bit coarse/jumpy when tuning, but still useable.

The Gotohs I put on my LP kit have spoiled me (smooooooooth!), as have the Hipshots on my PJ.

Becoming a tuner snob.

 

[SoulReflection]

I find I'm following a pattern... I play my P or PJ until my pinky gets tired, then I switch to the V-Bass and can carry on comfortably.

Kind of like circuit training.

Dithering over maybe replacing the tuners. They are a bit coarse/jumpy when tuning, but still useable.

The Gotohs I put on my LP kit have spoiled me (smooooooooth!), as have the Hipshots on my PJ.

Becoming a tuner snob.

+1 for Hipshot Ultralites. Had them on my old Mustang PJ. Have a spare set but waiting for the need to install them on my Jag or P.

 

[Backwards]

I became a member of this club this week when UPS dropped off my purchase from Musician's Friend.
I took advantage of their $149.99 sale to finally acquire a hollow body bass, and in the proper left handed configuration to boot. I can't post a picture because I immediately delivered the package to my Luthier to perform a proper setup. Based on his out of the box inspection, he was on the fence as to whether or not to send it back, but ultimately decided that he could work with what was delivered, rather than chance getting something worse. The condition of the frets was the biggest concern. I have a set of LaBella "Beatle Bass" flats on the way, and will now have to cool my jets until mid January before he can get to work on it. He's a very busy Guy!

 

[Bass Man Stan]

Don't bother with complete set up untill you have the new flats on it. That won't keep him from doing the frets etc. Have fun!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Finally getting around to finishing my plastics upgrade...aged 3-ply pearloid, bevel cut by hand, with custom home-printed decals that will read correctly from "left hand operators position."

Decals need to dry, then it gets a few coats of gloss lacquer to melt them in and protect them.

Pretty pleased with the outcome so far.

 

[eldoryder]

Nice stuff!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Clear coated, level sanded, halfway through polishing sanding when I noticed a couple thin spots.
Needs additional clear then resand before polish.

 

[DodgeSpiritRT]

Continuing my mods to my Rogue to make it more "Hofner-esque". Just bought a new Ebony floating bridge on Ebay - that - I think - came from Taiwan (or China - what's the difference?). It looks just like the Hofner one except my knobs and saddles are gold. I tried to order one with silver knobs and saddles but messaging on Ebay to someone who probably doesn't speak English - is challendging to say the least. Finally I said "Fine, send whatever you're sending." I'm guessing Hofner doesn't make them anyway so this is probably the same.
Hofner's costs $50 or more but I paid only about $21 and some change. Hell for $21 it's worth it.
My original bridge looks like it is being squashed by the strings and that - plus I want the Hofner "look" is what prompted the swap.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Finally done. Results make me verra happeh!

 

[2strings2frets]

It may be of interest to any VB 100 owner that I put a set of DA ENR71 strings on mine and they work well. They are 1/2 rounds, 45-100 and long scale. The full thickness of the E string comes within a hair of the tuning machine but not around it. They were used, taken off an Ibanez SG. JFYI.

 

[SoulReflection]

I did a shoot-out between my Rogue and Fender Player P. I used sponge on both to try for more of an upright sound. I ran both through a looper, HPF, Ampeg SGT-DI with B15 setting. All this into Reaper. Here is the short sample. Guess which one was which.

 

[SoulReflection]

Well, believe it or not, One was the Rogue! I was shocked and had to record them a second time.

I did use the HPF, same setting for both and the same settings on the SGT. I had to back off on the P’s volume to prevent clipping. The only other difference was the sponge position. On the Rogue, it was just in front of the bridge pup (which was off). On the P, I positioned the sponge just behind the PV 63 pup. LaBella LTF flats on both.

Maybe my fingering was different or I need to check the string height on the P…all I know is that I will no longer consider the Rogue as a cheap wall hanger .