Why get a Viola Bass?

[fermata]

Violin Bass,(mine is a Brownsville Set neck) with flat wounds= Poor Mans Fretless(yep,you heard it here first),over and above all the other positives.Mini Humbuckers,so no single coil hum,and an absolute pleasure to play.A nice addition to any Bass stable.`Sides ain`t they Purty?

Yes! So I'm not the only one who thinks this. (What a relief.)

 

[matty1039]

They are pretty loud without an amp, not enough to keep up with others but loud enough to practice with. I play mine all over the house. It is light, has a personality and is just a fun bass to play.

 

[BassLover668]

Cause is sexy and sound awesome on ampeg amps and labella flats.

 

[Ric5]

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?

those basses have a cool fat tone and a cool look

 

[D.A.R.K.]

One of the best for dub bass tones for sure!

 

[D M C]

I have a Rogue viola bass that is fun to play, but sounds horrible amplified. I have a set of AllParts PUs that I will eventually get around to installing. I hope that will make it as fun to listen to as to play.

 

[Garret Graves]

Love the tone and ease of play on a Viola bass with flats!

 

[west al]

The Doors didn't have a bass player. Ray Manzarek did all the left hand stuff on a Fender bass keyboard.

Ray only recorded the first album "The Doors", with a bass keyboard. From the second album, "Strange Days", and all albums after that one, a studio bass player was used in the studio. Ray did however play his bass keyboard for all the live shows.

 

[silvertone]

I don't own one - but would like to. But then again I'd dig a Steinberger for similar reasons - light weight - easy on the back and shoulders...

But here's a real reason they became known the world over:
McCartney said he liked the bass for its symmetry, which made the look of playing left-handed seem "less daft."

 

[GretschWretch]

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?

Don't know about "famous," but here ya go:

 

[Wisebass]

Hi

just buy because...

she is a bass and that's good news (if you like the sound) rock her!!!

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[Michedelic]

I would say that the 'sound of the 60's' bass, as far as the British Invasion bands were concerned, would not necessarily be the iconic Hofner, although, yes, that band/bassist used one. Generally, it would be all the short scale hollow body basses used, Gibson/Epiphone, Framus, Gretch, Harmony and so on. Stones, Animals, Yardbirds, Mindbenders, Small Faces, Spencer Davis Group, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich...seriously, Fenders seemed hard to get at that time because of trade restrictions, or else bassists gravitated to short scale because they were previously the worst guitarist in the gang when the band formed.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The only reason to get a viola bass is the same reason you'd want to get any other bass - you like the way it sounds and plays.

They're not for everyone.

If you don't care for a Viola, that's not a problem. You just don't like it. We still think you're a good person.

This. I am not a big fan of them, but I get why some do.

 

[40Hz]

This. I am not a big fan of them, but I get why some do.

This. I bought one (got a phenomenal deal on it) because I kinda liked the sound and really liked how it played. I don't think there's much else as buttery feeling as a Viola bass. But it's still the least likely bass I'm going to be playing for the type of music I usually play.

That said, it's nice to have. It has its own sound (great for blues with TI flats on it IMO!), not too hard on the eyes…and the ladies in the audience seem to love it! Always a plus, right?

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

This. I bought one (got a phenominal deal on it) because I kinda liked the sound and really liked how it played. I don't think there's much else as buttery feeling as a Viola bass. But it's still the least likely bass I'm going to be playing for the type of music I usually play.

That said, it's nice to have. It has its own sound (great for blues with TI flats on it IMO!), not too hard on the eyes…and the ladies in the audience seem to love it! Always a plus, right?

The last one right there is a good enough reason to get one

 

[Nev375]

Heck, why wouldn't anyone want one? I don't have one, but I think they are cool.

 

[40Hz]

Heck, why wouldn't anyone want one? I don't have one, but I think they are cool.

Agree. About the only bass I'd consider getting a wall holder for. It'd go good with the decor in my den. Kinda a more contemporary version of the classic "violin in the glass case in the library" theme.

Hmm…

 

[B-line]

Nobody mentioned Jerry Scheff w/ the Doors! Wassup??

Pretty sure he didn't play a Viola Bass!

As far as they go, meh, not for me. I had a beautiful German Club; light as a feather, great tone, but-
String-Spacing & scale left me cold, so SOLD!- to the fellow in a Beatles-like Band who coveted it!

They still make 'em, so there must be a market!

 

[HolmeBass]

Shorter scale, lighter weight, iconic look.

They're not for everybody, but some people swear by them.

 

[fingerguy]

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?

Why get a Taylor guitar? Because a person prefers it and gets the sound they want.