VIOLINS & VIOLAS

[grandad]

What an amazing array of variations:

[url="http://fuenfhunderteins.de/gallery.htm"]http://fuenfhunderteins.de/gallery.htm[/url]

I have a soft spot for these, maybe because they're a bit different and quirky and maybe because of Mr McCartney who made such good use of his.

I usually have one to noodle rather than gig with. Had a couple of Epiphones all of which were good instruments. The Tokai was a little disappointing considering how good some of their other models are.

I've recently bought a 2nd hand Alden and performed my usual routine of checking the hardware, cleaning, oiling, re-stringing and then a proper set-up to resurrect a neglected sad object and give it a new lease of life. After playing for a short time I invariably sell them on at a loss. Why I repeatedly do this I don't know!

Well, never having actually played a "real" violin bass, i.e. a Hofner, so I'm about to purchase, 2nd hand, an Ignition model. How they'll compare I will report later.

There must be other BCers who are closet lovers of these objets d'art.

Edited June 26, 2017 by grandad

[grandad]

Alden and Hofner compared, same new strings - RS77M.

Alden - good finish, good build, nice wood. Sounds best played stridently with a pick.

Hofner - lighter in weight, stronger pickups, crisper sound, good finish, good build, nice wood.

[attachment=240416:100_0308.JPG]

[attachment=240417:100_0309.JPG]

[attachment=240419:100_0310.JPG]

[attachment=240420:100_0311.JPG]

Both feel so light-weight. Both set-up with a lowish action. Both comfortable to play and easy on the left hand being SS but close string spacing would feel strange to a seasoned player but easier for a novice.

I liked my last Epiphone Viola the most out of the 3 violin type basses I've owned. I've recently given it to my grandson as his starter bass.

I'll probably sell both when the novelty wears off. And then buy another one again to noodle with.

Edited March 12, 2017 by grandad

[AndyTravis]

Love violin basses. I love the club too...

[grandad]

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1489354053' post='3256340']
Love violin basses. I love the club too...
[/quote]

2 of us then, I'm so glad it's not just me.

[grandad]

Here's an interesting article that mentions the Beatle bass.

https://reverb.com/news/guitaronomics-how-much-does-it-actually-cost-to-build-a-guitar?utm_campaign=FB170309adukguitarcost&utm_medium=FB

[police squad]

I have a hofner contempary ltd edition union jack bass. It's very nice

[alyctes]

I'd like one, when I have the money (haha) and can find one without that hideous rectangular control plate...

[grandad]

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1489447277' post='3257111']
I'd like one, when I have the money (haha) and can find one without that hideous rectangular control plate...
[/quote]

Here's the one.

http://fuenfhunderteins.de/brandpages/duesenberg.htm

I'd like to pick one of these up 2nd hand. I think they're a bit pricey new.

[Yank]

I love violin basses. The look, the sound, the weight, the scale.

I play a Douglas, Chinese made, unlined fretless as my main bass.

No bass more iconic. Everyone should own one.

[grandad]

Just found this photo gallery:

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/gallery/gallery2/bas.html

[alyctes]

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1489527716' post='3257732']
Here's the one.

[url="http://fuenfhunderteins.de/brandpages/duesenberg.htm"]http://fuenfhunderte.../duesenberg.htm[/url]

I'd like to pick one of these up 2nd hand. I think they're a bit pricey new.
[/quote]

Thanks From what I've seen Duesenbergs are fabulous but expensive. I will probably have to wait for the lottery win... :|

[grandad]

Decided to sell the Hofner Ignition.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303533-fs-hofner-violin-ignition/page__hl__hofner+__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

Keeping the Alden as my 'non-precious' noodling bass.

Edited April 6, 2017 by grandad

[grandad]

A fellow member of the music club I help run has taken up playing bass as a hobby in his retirement. He's treated himself to one of these:

[url="https://www.basscentre.com.au/products/violin-bass-model-bass-gtr-antique-brown-sunburs?variant=350215263"]https://www.basscent...riant=350215263[/url]

So impressed was I that I think I'll have to get one. So to fund it I'll cull my collection down to 3 and just be content with my Aria CSB-380, the HCT 500/1, and an old Yamaha Motion Bass that I'm resurrecting. And that I think will be it, no more GAS.

N.B. I'm impressed with the sound quality in the video.

Edited June 26, 2017 by grandad

[markdavid]

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1498454924' post='3324658']
A fellow member of the music club I help run has taken up playing bass as a hobby in his retirement. He's treated himself to one of these:

[url="https://www.basscentre.com.au/products/violin-bass-model-bass-gtr-antique-brown-sunburs?variant=350215263"]https://www.basscent...riant=350215263[/url]

So impressed was I that I think I'll have to get one. So to fund it I'll cull my collection down to 3 and just be content with my Aria CSB-380, the HCT 500/1, and an old Yamaha Motion Bass that I'm resurrecting. And that I think will be it, no more GAS.

N.B. I'm impressed with the sound quality in the video.
[/quote] Thats strange that it says contemporary, usually contemporary is the mid priced made in china line, i am guessing at that price the quality is in line with the german made 500/1
Gorgeous looking bass

Edited June 26, 2017 by markdavid

[grandad]

[quote name='markdavid' timestamp='1498478206' post='3324832']
Thats strange that it says contemporary, usually contemporary is the mid priced made in china line, i am guessing at that price the quality is in line with the german made 500/1
Gorgeous looking bass
[/quote]

That's Australian dollars. They're about £500 in the UK.

[markdavid]

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1498504488' post='3325105']


That's Australian dollars. They're about £500 in the UK.
[/quote] Ahh that makes sense,think i may have to start saving my pennies

[LeftyP]

I have the Tanglewood version of the violin bass. It is about 12 years old and cost me around £150.00 including the hard case!

I just like the look of the bass and the short scale neck. It plays OK for me but I think if I was doing regular performances its build quality my let it down.

I had it set up by a local guitar technician and fitted flat wound strings to it and that has really improved its "playability".

[randythoades]

I have 2 Aria violin basses, made in Japan 69-71, one fretted, one fretless. Love them to bits. I still keep buying or making other basses but I always go back to them. Great thump with flatwounds playd with pick, lightweight and no one else uses them. Would like to try a decent Hofner though,just to compare...

[LeftyP]

I've just had a good look at the attached list from the OP. I didn't realise just how many variations on a theme there were!

I must confess to being gutted to learn that my Tanglewood is made of plywood. It plays fine as I learn to get back up to speed but if I ever play in public I think a genuine model may be in order - well that's my excuse!

[markdavid]

[quote name='LeftyP' timestamp='1498835545' post='3327475']
I've just had a good look at the attached list from the OP. I didn't realise just how many variations on a theme there were!

I must confess to being gutted to learn that my Tanglewood is made of plywood. It plays fine as I learn to get back up to speed but if I ever play in public I think a genuine model may be in order - well that's my excuse!
[/quote] Dont sweat it too much,plywood is standard on most violin basses in that price range , the most important thing is how it sounds

[grandad]

Just finished reading this.

Excellent photo's and well written. Be warned though it's a bit nerdy even for me and I do have a soft spot for violin basses.

I tend to keep my HCT as my noodling bass at home and rarely gig it.

[Grahambythesea]

What on earth can there be to write about to make a whole book? It’s a bass, made in Germany originally as a copy of the Gibson EB1, it’s got 4 strings and 2 pickups, hollow body, short scale and that’s it! Hardly a paragraph.

[grandad]

On 12/07/2020 at 14:02, Grahambythesea said:

What on earth can there be to write about to make a whole book? It’s a bass, made in Germany originally as a copy of the Gibson EB1, it’s got 4 strings and 2 pickups, hollow body, short scale and that’s it! Hardly a paragraph.

I

I like it, it's got some nice pictures.

[itu]

On 12/07/2020 at 16:02, Grahambythesea said:

It’s a bass, made in Germany originally as a copy of the Gibson EB1...

And bass is not even a member of the violin family. Viola da gamba is the predecessor of the bass.

[grandad]

3 hours ago, itu said:

And bass is not even a member of the violin family. Viola da gamba is the predecessor of the bass.

I don't care!