Violin Bass for Metal?

[TheBassmaster27]

This has probably been asked before, but does anyone think it can be done? I have always loved they way violin basses look, but i play mostly rock and metal, and there are feedback concerns. I personally think the smaller neck might make chords and soloing better. And some say that the feedback isn't even a big deal. Thoughts?

 

[GretschWretch]

If the body is sealed (no f-holes) like a Hofner, feedback should not be a problem, and violin basses do come in black finish, so that aspect of metal can be covered as well. I cannot offer any opinion regarding whether the sound will be appropriate for metal.

 

[ICM]

A Hofner Contemporary 500/1 in black would be the perfect answer!

 

[dukey donkey]

Did it with a fretless douglas violin bass with d'addario black tapewounds... actually sounded pretty badaxe… the rest of the band members weren't digging my Jack Bruce tones though... was mean and thumpy with my overdrive... lost a lot of note definition and cut through... but oh the glorious low end... thinking about picking up an igniton series club or violin to try again...fretted this time,with rounds...

 

[bearfoot]

HELTER SKELTER!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! (or was that the Rick....who cares......)

 

[pcake]

i've played metal with a hofner violin bass - it sounded good to me.

one of these
Hofner Ignition Violin Bass - Translucent Black
might look metallier if the pickguard with swapped with a black pickguard.

 

[C_Becker]

Having owned an Epiphone Viola, I don't think it will work all that well.
Short scale and the overall construction lead to a rather thumpy, old school tone.
Not much treble and overtones which help you cut through the dense mix of a metal band.
Pickups are rather low-output as well IME.

When I think "metal bass", I think tight, trebly and a bit dirty - all of which a violin bass usually isn't.
It could work with some heavy EQing, stainless steel roundwounds and heavy attack I suppose. How well I dunno.

 

[fermata]

Get one with a center block--Hofner CT, Epiphone Viola, that type of thing--and string it with rounds. Favor the neck pickup for massive, subby lows, or favor the bridge pickup for bite and grind. Once you get used to violin basses, most other basses sound anemic by comparison.

Some videos and other info in this thread: Hofner Violin Bass playing metal??

 

[ICM]

HELTER SKELTER!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! (or was that the Rick....who cares......)

Fun fact: it was actually John Lennon playing the Bass VI on this track!

 

[roller]

Um... have you HEARD Paul McCartney's cover of "War Ensemble"??

Sounds pretty good to me.

 

[GIBrat51]

Yeah, it might look a little weird, but I'm thinking it would work OK - probably need round wounds on it, though. I have a Starfire violin bass (Chinese generic one) with old rounds on it. Sounds pretty good that way; be even better with new strings, though... I'm not a big Metal fan, but, yeah, that sound would work. The only real drawback, IMO, would be the bridge. 2-piece floating bridges don't usually respond well to ... vigorous ... playing styles. Unless you want to play "Where's my Fricking bridge?!?" on-stage, you might have to pin it in place - like a lot of Gretsch guitar players have to...

 

[bolophonic]

I would be SO into hearing this. You will have a very distinctive sound.

 

[Plectrum72]

Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Guns n' Roses, Soul Asylum, several other acts) has been known to use a Hofner violin bass from time to time. Not quite metal, but he's been in some rockin' bands.

 

[Gluvhand]

Bob Daisley used a 500/1 on Flying High Again off of Diary. Not sure if it was used on any other tracks.

 

[Aidenn7]

I say gothic metal for sure.. But you active pickups and roundwounds it'd work better

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

The guy from Carcass used to play one back in the day. I think that's a pretty firm indicator that it can be done.

 

[2tonic]

Why not!!
The first rule of metal is there are no rules!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Just giver!

I play only 500/1s and I use them for everything. You can get a very distinctive tone with the hollow bodies, with no feedback, and a contemporary tone with the CT series due to the sound block (as others have mentioned).

I'd say give it a shot and see if you like it. That's the only way you'll know.

 

[Goteky45]

I have tried it in a Hard Rock project. The low end was so mesmerizing. It really made everything sound really full. But that was it. Big and thumby but not much high end content. I had rounds when I did this but the drums and guitar just drown any clank or grind the little hofner produces.

Still, just try it. It's a great sound and it can work. Although if we're talking about modern djent, agressive, Darkglass type of metal, this is far from ideal

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Felix Pappalardi kinda did it.