PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 I’m sure this has prob been asked before, but anyway: I’m looking to get a violin bass. Obvious candidate is a Höfner Ignition, but I’m also wondering if anyone’s had experience of other similar priced options, in particular Vintage as I think they have a good reputation as a budget brand. Any feedback on the best option appreciated, I want a full hollow body rather than with centre block, so that will cut down options I know..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 (edited) https://www.expressmusic.co.uk/products.asp?code=319515&name=pre-owned-legend-by-aria-violin-bass-sunburst&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5vb-BRCRARIsAJBKc6Iq_KXYAnaqfx9MlTH_1wUXtezekeVzkfXqy8xogzY7RnlqumbHjWYaAkiJEALw_wcB Might be worth enquiring about. I've previously owned several makes of violin bass including an Ignition but now have a HCT. I've enjoyed them all, each having a slightly different tone. The Hofner pickups are the best amongst the bunch and give the sound I think you want. I recently acquired a Tanglewood which is hollow and am very impressed with the build quality. I always fit flats and the Ignition needs strings that fit the small guitar type tuners so special sets are available. They are a bit of a fiddle to set up but great fun to play. Then there's the big question - pickguard or not? Good luck. Edited December 19, 2020 by grandad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 11 minutes ago, grandad said: They are a bit of a fiddle to set up Nice pun! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLowDown Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 The Harley Benton one is decent https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_beatbass.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 3 hours ago, grandad said: https://www.expressmusic.co.uk/products.asp?code=319515&name=pre-owned-legend-by-aria-violin-bass-sunburst&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5vb-BRCRARIsAJBKc6Iq_KXYAnaqfx9MlTH_1wUXtezekeVzkfXqy8xogzY7RnlqumbHjWYaAkiJEALw_wcB Might be worth enquiring about. I've previously owned several makes of violin bass including an Ignition but now have a HCT. I've enjoyed them all, each having a slightly different tone. The Hofner pickups are the best amongst the bunch and give the sound I think you want. I recently acquired a Tanglewood which is hollow and am very impressed with the build quality. I always fit flats and the Ignition needs strings that fit the small guitar type tuners so special sets are available. They are a bit of a fiddle to set up but great fun to play. Then there's the big question - pickguard or not? Good luck. Thanks, v useful and I did wonder about the Aria as a good toe in the water. Out of interest, have you found all violin basses to have the smaller tuners, or just the Höfners? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 (edited) 19 hours ago, PaulFenderJazz said: Thanks, v useful and I did wonder about the Aria as a good toe in the water. Out of interest, have you found all violin basses to have the smaller tuners, or just the Höfners? Thanks! Just the Hofners of the ones I've tried. All need medium length strings though to accommodate the tailpeice. Edited December 20, 2020 by grandad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 1 hour ago, TheLowDown said: The Harley Benton one is decent https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_beatbass.htm I wondered about these as they’re so cheap: any view on comparative quality, as the Höfner, etc are double the price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 32 minutes ago, grandad said: Just the Hofners of the ones I've tried. All need medium length strings though to accommodate the bridge position. Ah, right, I see Höfner sell their own branded so I guess those are a good bet. I didn’t know about Tanglewood doing one, I found one used online for similar price to the Aria, thinking it could be well worth a punt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 47 minutes ago, grandad said: Just the Hofners of the ones I've tried. All need medium length strings though to accommodate the bridge position. Quick update, I just went for it on the Tanglwood, due to arrive Tuesday. Merry Christmas to me! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLowDown Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 1 hour ago, PaulFenderJazz said: I wondered about these as they’re so cheap: any view on comparative quality, as the Höfner, etc are double the price? I think the HBs are made at the fair price, and the Hofners are charging much more than they're worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 1 hour ago, TheLowDown said: I think the HBs are made at the fair price, and the Hofners are charging much more than they're worth. Good point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 8 hours ago, uk_lefty said: Nice pun! My Hofner Contemporary Series "Club" bass, with the exact neck and general set-up of the violin version, was indeed a lot of trouble. Reducing the factory action took a lot of time (and some dollars as well). With reduced action, the bass was a very good one. The Contemporary version was $795, including case, and well worth it, I felt--after the adjustments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 1 minute ago, Wylie said: My Hofner Contemporary Series "Club" bass, with the exact neck and general set-up of the violin version, was indeed a lot of trouble. Reducing the factory action took a lot of time (and some dollars as well). With reduced action, the bass was a very good one. The Contemporary version was $795, including case, and well worth it, I felt--after the adjustments. Thanks, v useful to know, I’ve actually just pulled the trigger on a used Tanglewood, hoping that as it’s not new the set up should be OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 (edited) On 19/12/2020 at 13:16, PaulFenderJazz said: I wondered about these as they’re so cheap: any view on comparative quality, as the Höfner, etc are double the price? I've never had my mitts on one, but reviews are consistently decent with no major shortcomings reported. Unlike the absolutely dreadful Rocktile violin bass for a similiar price. The company that makes HB's also makes instruments for Epiphone, so they know a thing or two about making a tidy instrument at a keen price. Then there's the Epiphone viola bass, which is well regarded for slightly less cash than the ignition and is a nice instrument to play. However, the internal construction is different and gives a rather different tone to other violin basses. I actually prefer it, but thats a taste thing. Edited December 20, 2020 by Bassfinger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted December 25, 2020 Author Share Posted December 25, 2020 Quick update, Tanglewood arrived, initial impressions good, flats on order, so we’ll see how it sounds once they’re here. Thanks for all the advice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 (edited) On 25/12/2020 at 08:26, PaulFenderJazz said: Quick update, Tanglewood arrived, initial impressions good, flats on order, so we’ll see how it sounds once they’re here. Thanks for all the advice! That does look nice. Exactly the same model as mine. Apart from cleaning, oiling & polishing and a setup I only had to replace the knobs with small Jazz knobs on mine. I'm ordering a set of Labella 760FHB2 strings. I have them on my Hofner HCT. Let us know how you get on with it when you've fitted your flats. Will you keep the scratch-plate on? Edited December 28, 2020 by grandad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 I found flats on my Hofner too dead. Switched to GHS Brite Flats and got a bit of zing, can always get the thump sound by adjusting the amp tone, you can’t of course really adjust tone on a Hofner as there are no tone controls just the pickup switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 On 28/12/2020 at 12:06, Grahambythesea said: I found flats on my Hofner too dead. Switched to GHS Brite Flats and got a bit of zing, can always get the thump sound by adjusting the amp tone, you can’t of course really adjust tone on a Hofner as there are no tone controls just the pickup switches. You might want to try half rounds. I got some from Status on my new Mustang and they are brighter than flats with almost the same feel. Not expensive either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 10 hours ago, MoonBassAlpha said: You might want to try half rounds. I got some from Status on my new Mustang and they are brighter than flats with almost the same feel. Not expensive either. I think the GHS Brite Flats are the same basic string type as Status call half rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Yes Beer of the Bass, Brite Flats are like Half rounds or Ground Rounds. I think a tad smoother than half’s I’ve played before but made in the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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