violin Bass

Hofner Icon is a Hofner and can be had for about $350. I have one and it is VERY cool to play, and people LOVE it!!

 

In addition to the Hofner Icon, I have heard good things about the Rogue. Personally, I thought the Epiphone and J Tursers played better than the Icon I've tried but I suppose its a personal preference thing.

IMO, the Beatle basses (for most of us) are a limited use item so its probably good not to spend too much on them. However, I can't imagine having grown up in the 60's and not wanting to have one.

 

epiphone makes a model

 

For me, the Jay Turser seems better built than the Epiphone, Icon, or the Rougue. And cheaper too.

 

Cheaper? What are the current prices of these three basses?

 

My Jay Turser is available in the TB classifieds for $200 shipped. Good bass for the $$$...I just don't need it.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=562041&highlight=beatle

...John

 

I have had and gigged with a Rogue for years. No problems, sounds great, especially with flats on it. I just sold my backup Rogue a few weeks ago.

 

I had a Jay Turser but liked the feel and the sound of the Icon better so I sold the JT. Now I have an Icon and a Contemporary. They both rock.

 

I have one of these:
http://www.rondomusic.com/wvebsn.html

It's the only beatle bass I have owned, but I consider it playable and well worth the price.


Of course it is not the most accurate in terms of copying the original. I do not have this one: http://www.rondomusic.com/hvb600vf.html but I have had a couple of Brices and if it is comparable to their quality, it should fit your need. It has controls that are more like the original.

Jay tursers are OK, and I have played their beatle bass in a store. Honestly, I would choose my Douglas one over the one that I played, and I paid less for mine.

Rondo has the best customer service I've ever experienced and a good return policy. You owe it to yourself to try one of these, IMO.

 

+1 on the Brice. My first bass and I really liked it. Well made and very nicely finished. Sold because I wanted a bass with more tonal options.

 

Go for a Hofner Icon. I've got a Korean knock off (Westfield) that's quite nice, but it does feel a bit cheap though.

 

I have the Epiphone model strung with TI-flats. It sounds awesome. My advice to you is whichever model you buy, epi, hofner icon, Jay Turser etc. put FLATS on it. Totally suits the bass. Completely different sound then with the rounds. Get one they're a lot of fun to play!!

 

I played a Rogue version of this in a shop a while back, and it sounded cheap to me. By that I mean it sounded like the poor wood and heavy plastic that it was finished in. Or in other terms it sounded very plastic to me, much in the vain of cheap electric acoustic basses.

 

Three Icons in my collection. I bought the Vintage Burst first, and I couldn't believe how fun and playable it was. And the sound is really close to the 500/1. Got two more Icons in white and emerald, so I can coordinate with my outfits.

 

Cool! I have a Burst Icon and a pink Icon, both very cool basses that gig a lot!

 

For $149 you can not beat this bass ! I bought one for my daughter and was so impressed I bought one for myself. I still have my '65 Hofner and the Douglas plays better. If you want to do the Beatle bass thing on the cheap this is your bass.

 

I had an older Epiphone Viola and loved it; very solid feeling. I've played the Icon several times, as we had them in a music store I moolight in, but found them somehow less sturdy than the Viola and there were sometimes problems with the switches.

 

My first bass (I still have it) was the Epi Viola... I love it. Feels and looks great. I don't think it feels cheap or looks cheap at all. I got it for $249 at GC. I have played a few other beatlebasses, but none that I liked as well as the Epiphone...
YMMV.

 

I, too, have a Douglas. Mine is trans red. Fit and finish is awesome. Most playable Beatle copy I have ever played. And at $162 shipped, it's a steal.