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Why get a Viola Bass?

BassAndReeds

BassAndReeds

Guest
Oct 7, 2016
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2,152
#1
Hi,

Can you all explain to me the benefits of the Viola bass? I've played a couple, and haven't really enjoyed it. I think maybe I'm not using it for its intended musical situation.

So why would someone buy a Viola bass over, say, a P bass?
 
#3
They are lightweight which can be a blessing to those of us with bad backs. I use mine mostly to back up my UB and EUB. They have a bit of that thump. The medium scale can throw some players off. But yeah, for electric jobs,
I will always grab my P-style basses first. I do enjoy them though.
 
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#4
Because of the sound, deep and thumpy, yet articulate. Also, I happen to really like the ergonomics: the short scale fits my hand well, the relative lack of neck taper and the narrow string spacing offer great economy of motion for fingerstyle and pick playing, the tall bridge in the middle of the body makes palm muting very easy and comfortable, and the light weight is a back saver.

I think it's a great design, but it has to be taken on its own terms; it's certainly very weird compared to a typical solid body bass. When I first encountered a violin bass, I loved the sound but felt alienated by the feel, but when I spent some quality time with it at a shop, something clicked, and now it's my favorite type of bass.

I play a Hofner CT, but I've tried a few Epi Violas, and I like them a lot, too.

P.S. It is a short scale design, but it requires medium scale strings because of the distance between the tail piece and the bridge.
 
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#6
fermata said:
Because of the sound, deep and thumpy, yet articulate. Also, I happen to really like the ergonomics: the relative lack of neck taper and the narrow string spacing offer great economy of motion (and is great for pick playing), the tall bridge in the middle of the body makes palm muting very easy and comfortable, and the light weight saves one's back. I think it's a great design, but it has to be taken on its own terms (it's very weird compared to a typical solid body bass).
Click to expand...

I have a Hofner violin and club bass, for all the reasons fermata mentioned. @Basstards, they sound notably different to a P or J bass, and sometimes the situation/gig warrants their tone.
 
#7
So is the Viola Bass the sound of the 60s? I'm listening to youtube clips of this thing, and I'm hearing the Doors in my head. And of course the Beatles. What other famous bass players/bands does the Viola Bass represent?
 
#12
BassAndReeds said:
Hi,

Can you all explain to me the benefits of the Viola bass? I've played a couple, and haven't really enjoyed it. I think maybe I'm not using it for its intended musical situation.

So why would someone buy a Viola bass over, say, a P bass?
Click to expand...
They're great little bases with a sound that can really work in a lot of situations and are nice and light and easy to play. But if you don't like it, it ain't for you, nothing wrong with that.
BUT you havr to give it enough chance to figure out how to use it ( eq, technique, etc) and you have to hear it in context, they are not that inspiring soloed, but work in the right band context and they are definitely NOT the best bass for metal.
 
#13
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#14
Great clips up above highlight the different sounds a person can get from a viola bass... It's not all about the McCartney thump, though it certainly does that as well... I have a '67 Univox that doesn't see much play time, though I've been using it while working up some material for a few sub gigs coming up... Maybe I'll use it for a set or two Friday. Certainly is light enough and sounds great, but I'll agree that it's not the most comfortable (for me) when strapped on.

As stated above, play a few... if you like it, buy it... if not, then don't.

-robert
 
#20
abarson said:
The Doors didn't have a bass player. Ray Manzarek did all the left hand stuff on a Fender bass keyboard.
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The Doors used a bunch of bass players in the studio. There is a lot of bass guitar on their albums.

Larry Knechtel - The Doors
Douglas Lubahn - Strange Days
Douglas Lubahn, Kerry Magness, Leroy Vinnegar - Waiting for the Sun
Harvey Brooks, Douglas Lubahn- The Soft Parade
Lonnie Mack, Ray Neapolitan - Morrison Hotel
 
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