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Rondo Douglas Violin Bass

#41
BobWestbrook said:
Perhaps, but it's my understanding that for a bass to have sufficient unamplified projection, a very large body is needed. I've played some acoustic/electric basses, and have been not impressed with the volume level of any of them.

Still, it would be interesting to hear a larger version of this.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean amplified - I just meant that the tone through the pickup and amp, with that type of body, may get closer to upright tone than people trying to get their somewhat with other solid bodies.
 
#42
I got mine today. My review is pretty much identical to Bob W.'s. The build quality for this price range is surprisingly good. I was able to dial in very good tone quite easily (neck pickup 10, bridge pickup 7, tone 6 was nice and thumpy).

I've never spent very much time with a short scale before, the neck almost feels clumsy to me. I've got some flats I'll throw on tonight. I'll do a proper setup, and I may just take this as a backup to my gig this weekend. I'll be interested to see how it sounds through the "big" rig.

For the price this is hard to beat. I doubt it will ever be my #1 go to bass, but it's pretty fun, sounds good, and definitely doesn't suck.
 
#46
I forgot to mention that I now have "LaBella Deep Talkin' flatwound bass strings for Hofner 'Beatle Bass'" on it. They sound great.... but.... they are not really long enough. I only had about an inch of the A string to wrap around the post. Had to string it several times till I could get it to keep the tuning.
 
#49
Hi all. First post here... I'm a guitarist who fiddles with bass, and a HUGE Beatles fan. Anyways I wanted to say I just ordered this Douglas violin bass... it'll be my second bass. My first is a P/J from Rondo Music.

I can't wait! Thanks for the reviews. I'll let you know what I think. I've also ordered La Bella Beatle flatwound strings, which now I hope I can get on the thing.

Cheers!
 
#50
Ok guys, I GOT IT!

Just opened it last night. Wow! Such a beautiful bass. Mine is more gold/brown then red-toned... A bit more like the Hofner Paul plays right now, though obviously not precisely so. I will get a photo or two uploaded this weekend.

First impressions: strings are terrible. Already have my La Bella Beatle flats, so I'll string it up this weekend.

Action and intonation are not bad out of the box, though I'll fine-tune when I restring her.

As a guitarist who only fiddles with bass, the string spacing and scale length are VERY comfortable. Acoustic tone has more sustain than I expected...

Don't know about the plugged-in tone yet. I'll test it out after I get the new strings on.

In short, I can't believe this cost $139. Even if the amplified tone isn't 100 percent Hofner - and I'm not expecting it will be - I can't imagine this would be anything but a huge bargain.
 
#51
I put the La Bella Beatle flats on. You're right, the "A" string barely made it. But OMG, what a sound! And feel!

I play into a Groove Tubes Brick and I strapped on my new Joemeek MC2 compressor... the tone is deep, rich, silky. I mean, I'm only a guitarist who plays bass now and again, but to me this is a ridiculous deal if you're looking for a short scale vintage kinda thing. Highly recommended.
 
#52
I just ordered the Brice black Beatle Bass clone. From what I've heard about the cheaper Douglas model, I'm real excited about getting it. I've owned an original Hofner before and thought they were way over priced. Plus, because it was hollow if fed back badly. The Brice has a sound block in it so that should help cure that. Plus the price is much more reasonable for what a bass like this can do. I'm looking forward to getting it, and will post a review after I put some D'Addario Chromes flats on it.:hyper:
 
#53
I play in a Beatles trib band, play a Hofner, except for gigs we fly to. for those I have a black Brice violin copy. No feedback, but then my Hofner never fed back either, unless I put it right in front of my amp.
 
#55
Yes,
I like the Brice just fine, when the band started years ago I had an Epi Viola bass, the Brice is the same bass except with Hofner-like controls(the Epi has VVT). It's "solid" feeling unlike the Hofner which feels very light and fragile. Has better tuners than the imfamous Hofner tuners.
With the roundwounds that it came with the Brice has a tone that will work for many different kinds of music, but with flats it's more
"Beatle-y". I've never played anything that sounded just like a Hofner, but with flats the Brice is "close enuff".
My guess is, somewhere down the line, when The Eggmen break up, I'll sell the Hofner(for the $$) and keep the Brice.

www.eggmen.com
 
#57
Cool!
If you've got nothing better to do we're at Jovita's on South 1st Street this Friday 6-10PM. The Brice and Hofner will both be there, you can check out the Brice first hand if you wish. Mike, let me know and I'll put you on the guestlist.
 
#59
I'm wondering if someone could compare the Douglas to a Rogue. I have a Rogue which I don't like and never will. I use it around home as a spare bass. I'll not go into all the reasons I dislike Rogue, they are many. But I like violin basses. I've thought of getting an Epiphone Viola or maybe even a Hofner Icon B (if I can afford it). I would just like to know if the Douglas is better than a Rogue. Most likely it is, but I'd like to know for sure.
 
#60
iamthebassman said:
Cool!
If you've got nothing better to do we're at Jovita's on South 1st Street this Friday 6-10PM. The Brice and Hofner will both be there, you can check out the Brice first hand if you wish. Mike, let me know and I'll put you on the guestlist.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the offer! I'd love to but I will be out of town this weekend. Jovitas is a great place. I'll keep an eye out in The Chronicle for the next time you guys are playing out and say hi.
 

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