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Rogue Viola (VB100) Bass Club

#101
gip111 said:
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My next project will be a solid bridge, haven't figured that one out yet but I'm looking forward starting the project as soon as I find the right material, synthetic or hard wood.
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My Rogue VB100 came with round strings. To me with rounds it sounded too much like my other solid body basses. I bought the VB100 specifically to reproduce the deep thump tone of 60's British invasion bands. IME flat wound strings and a hollow body bass provide the easiest way to the specific tone I wanted.

About replacing the floating bridge with a solid bridge (I'm assuming you're talking about something like those used on non-Gibson solid body basses, i.e. Fender, Ibanez, Lakeland, Music Man etc.) might be a major reconstruction challenge due to the hollow body mature of the VB100. There is no mass under the top to support / mount a solid one piece bridge. Screw one in and it will most likely pull loose or collapse the top or both. Watch this video on the construction of the Hofner bass to get an idea how the Rogue is put together (there might be minor difference, but not many) to understand why the VB's hollow body design requires the trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge construction. If you can design a simple and permanent way to install a one piece surface mounted bridge I'd love to see photos and descriptions of the step by step details.
 
#102
The rounds that came on my Rogue VB100 were the tinniest, most awful strings I have ever heard in the 20+ years I have been playing. They were so bad that I thought of getting rid of the bass. Then I put Labella Hofner Flats on it, and the instrument was transformed! I've never heard strings make so much difference in an instrument's sound.

If you get a new VB-100 and it has those skinny rounds on it, cast out the demons in the bass by changing strings.

You don't need to change the bridge, the electronics or anything else - install Labella Hofner Flats and you're home.
 
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#103
I may be mistaken, but I think what the poster's talking about, is to make a one piece wooden bridge. I think what he's done repairing the bottom surface of the stock bridge may be the most important thing he can do. This is causing better connectivity to the hollow body. There is a small sound block under the bridge, but nothing to support an independent bridge.
 
#104
Pilgrim said:
The rounds that came on my Rogue VB100 were the tinniest, most awful strings I have ever heard in the 20+ years I have been playing. They were so bad that I thought of getting rid of the bass. Then I put Labella Hofner Flats on it, and the instrument was transformed! I've never heard strings make so much difference in an instrument's sound.

If you get a new VB-100 and it has those skinny rounds on it, cast out the demons in the bass by changing strings.

You don't need to change the bridge, the electronics or anything else - install Labella Hofner Flats and you're home.
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+1
The factory strings on mine horrible. They weren't overly thin but they felt a little like rusty fence wire. Tonally, fence wire would have sounded massively better than the factory strings. I initially installed a set of Rotosound RB40 nickles I had around from another bass, before switching permanently to flats. I agree completely, flats are the way to go. I went with GHS Precision flats (I simply cut off any extra length) and nearly 14 years later they still provide the exact sound I want.
My only other change to the bass has been to instal Dunlop strap locks.
 
#105
Reyalpabut said:
Just discovered the VB100 club! I bought mine a few years ago at a local music store for $179 used. It was pretty filthy, but it cleaned up very nicely. I had to spray the matching gig-bag with Febreeze and lay it out in the sun to get rid of the cat pee smell.

I've posted several videos of my bass on YouTube. I'm, apparently, not able to post links on TalkBass, but the names of the videos are:
"Review: Rogue VB100 Beatle Bass"
"Review: LaBella Beatle Bass Strings"
and
"Wonderful Tonight - Solo Bass"

(I recorded Wonderful Tonight before I properly intonated the bass)
My YouTube username is bass6300

I was surprised that I was able to get the intonation almost spot-on by adjusting the position of the bridge and moving around the fret wires. If you look at the attached photo, you'll see that they're not in a nice linear line like you'd expect, but it plays in tune all the way up the fretboard. You can also see the piece of mouse-pad I put under the bridge... Partly to give the bass a more "thumpy" sound and partly to cover up where I marked the bridge placement when I intonated it.
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Thanks for your reviews online, you inspired me to try the LaBella strings on my Rogue. They sound fantastic! I've also now put LaBellas on my MIM P Bass. Also fantastic!
 
#106
Just as rfslick described... A solid piece of wood for the bridge and it would be a floating bridge, it would have to be an "ideal" height since there would be no adjustment, I remember seeing this somewhere.
I'm just wondering if the connectivity from bridge to body is as important in a hollow or semi hollow body as it is with a solid body?
I don't want to change the basic sound of the bass, just trying to get the most out of it while having fun doing so.
 
#107
gip111 said:
Just as rfslick described... A solid piece of wood for the bridge and it would be a floating bridge, it would have to be an "ideal" height since there would be no adjustment, I remember seeing this somewhere.
I'm just wondering if the connectivity from bridge to body is as important in a hollow or semi hollow body as it is with a solid body?
I don't want to change the basic sound of the bass, just trying to get the most out of it while having fun doing so.
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I found no fault with the stock bridge, and with that type of bridge you may have to slant it slightly to get correct intonation. Therefore I think a fixed-position bridge is a bad idea.

My personal opinion is that the bridge that comes on the VB100 is well suited for the instrument. It has enough adjustment (especially vertically), and it provides an important acoustic connection to the body.
 
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#108
Just to throw a little more dirt into the mix, If you get a chance to try one of the newer VB100's, they have a better shape, and they are actually hollow like a Hofner. If the sides of your bass are solid black, it is one of the older ones. Remove the switch plate and you will find that the body is actually a block of plywood and the side walls are half to three quarters of an inch thick.
The Newer ones with the curley maple sides are constructed of the same material, top, back and sides. All are about 3/16 of an inch thick, and as you might expect, more resonant. The coloring is improved as well. MF's ad still shows the very light sunburst coloring.
 
#109
image3025.png

Fresh off the truck. I dig it. It has some fret buzz going on, but I won't mess with the truss rod until this weekend, when I install LaBella flats. The tone is going to be fantastic - warm and woody. Intonation was pretty good from the factory, but the bridge doesn't need to be angled down quite that much on the E side.
 
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#110
FerruleCat said:
Fresh off the truck. I dig it. It has some fret buzz going on, but I won't mess with the truss rod until this weekend, when I install LaBella flats. The tone is going to be fantastic - warm and woody. Intonation was pretty good from the factory, but the bridge doesn't need to be angled down quite that much on the E side.
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Congratulations on a great looking bass. IME it will sound immensely better with new strings. IMO the factory strings only value is to hold the bridge in place during shipping. Sorry about the delay in getting the strings you want. It will be more than worth the slight delay to put new flats on this bass.
Here is a question for the owners of VB100s. Since MF does not offer/list a case designed to fit this bass what is everyone using to protect/transport your VB100? I bought mine in 2001, it first lived in a long scale gig bag (horrible idea but it kept it clean). Finally I found a used Epiphone Viola hard case that is a poor fit but better protection than an overly long gig bag. I've given up on finding a case designed for the bass other than an expensive custom made one. I love the great value, sound and playability of the bass, just dislike the fact, to my knowledge, there is no reasonably priced cased offered that fits the instrument.
 
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#111
FerruleCat said:
image3025.png

Fresh off the truck. I dig it. It has some fret buzz going on, but I won't mess with the truss rod until this weekend, when I install LaBella flats. The tone is going to be fantastic - warm and woody. Intonation was pretty good from the factory, but the bridge doesn't need to be angled down quite that much on the E side.
Click to expand...

Great bass, I bought mine a year ago and it is hands down my favorite bass to play even though I have others that are "better."

The LaBellas make a huge difference. They tend to sound better with age as well.

Enjoy!
 
#112
dewbass4 said:
Congratulations on a great looking bass. IME it will sound immensely better with new strings. IMO the factory strings only value is to hold the bridge in place during shipping. Sorry about the delay in getting the strings you want. It will be more than worth the slight delay to put new flats on this bass.
Here is a question for the owners of VB100s. Since MF does not offer/list a case designed to fit this bass what is everyone using to protect/transport your VB100? I bought mine in 2001, it first lived in a long scale gig bag (horrible idea but it kept it clean). Finally I found a used Epiphone Viola hard case that is a poor fit but better protection than an overly long gig bag. I've given up on finding a case designed for the bass other than an expensive custom made one. I love the great value, sound and playability of the bass, just dislike the fact, to my knowledge, there is no reasonably priced cased offered that fits the instrument.
Click to expand...

My old VB100 came in what I guess was the standard rectangular case that it came with at the time--it says Rogue on the side in gold script. I've wondered what others are using for a gig bag. The Rogue one on the MF site seems to not have any real padding. World Tour seems to make one but I haven't found any real reviews of it. I'm a little interested in the Musicians Gear case here http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-electric-bass-case-violin-shaped . Anyone have that?
 
#113
Update: I took off the factory strings, oiled the board, installed the LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass Flats for Hofner, .039-.096, put some relief into the truss rod, lowered the bridge and adjusted intonation, and that was enough to bring it home. What a great little bass for short money. Fun to play, great tone, classic style, and really just a super value all around. The only fault I can place is that there's a little orange peel texture in the clear coat; honestly, I probably could have achieved as good or better myself. But it's acceptable, and for the price paid, a really great addition to my collection.

Unless you know you like an obviously heavy string, have no reservations about the lighter gauge LaBella Hofner set. For my taste, the .039-.096 set has plenty of tension. It feels and sounds nice and even, and it doesn't feel like it's putting excessive strain on the neck. It's very well matched.
 
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#114
ivorytower said:
My old VB100 came in what I guess was the standard rectangular case that it came with at the time--it says Rogue on the side in gold script. I've wondered what others are using for a gig bag. The Rogue one on the MF site seems to not have any real padding. World Tour seems to make one but I haven't found any real reviews of it. I'm a little interested in the Musicians Gear case here http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-electric-bass-case-violin-shaped . Anyone have that?
Click to expand...
Out of stock until Jan 5, 2015. I read about 20 or the 61 reviews. Seems the earlier models had some issues with the height of the neck brace (apparently fairly easy to fix), but those complains seem to be missing from the 2014 reviews. Hopefully neck brace height has been corrected for current production. For the price it looks interesting. I wonder why MF doesn't recommend or list this with the VB100? Thanks for the heads up.

Edit: to clarify I'm discussing this case for the VB100. Sorry if there was any confusion.
 
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#115
I've owned 2 of the earlier versions, with no construction problems at all. Every instrument I've ever owned needed some tweaking. However, the new VB100 I bought a couple of years ago is really a much better instrument. It is truly built like an acoustic guitar, fully hollow, kerfing all around and a small sound block under the bridge. The shape is more acurate as well, (like a Hofner). As I've said before, you can identify these by the curly maple all around the sides. I have two of the rectangular cases as were mentioned and they work fine. One of which, I reshaped the interior support for my Hofner Club. I've not tried the hardshell violin shaped case, but hope to. I have a gig bag from Hofner, that is excellent, which came with the Club bass and was designated to be for the Club or the Violin.
 
#118
Here are a few other pics of my new VB100. I'm impressed. Unlike the pictures on MusiciansFriend, the nut is white, truss rod cover is pearloid, and the neck is bound. The not slots are cut at a perfect height, action is pretty low and just barely neck relief with no fret buzz. Pickups are 5 mm away from the strings. Intonation is perfect except for the G, and it's slightly, slightly sharp at the 12th fret. Overall it doesn't really need a setup--I could play it out of the box after tuning up. Well, if not for one thing I discovered, a grounding issue that manifested in a huge amount of hummmmm and no bass sound. Removed the plate, saw that one of the blue resistor's legs was touching the edge of the rhythm/treble switch, moved it slightly and I was good to go. Now for the pics...

First, an example of the control plate wiring (there's that blue resistor), and of the kerfing (how the inside built like an acoustic):

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#120
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