NBsD: Little & Large - Ancient & Modern

grayn

My gigging basses are 2, 4-string Sandbergs.
I've no desire to replace them but still like to acquire gear.
I'd thought about getting a cheap 5-stringer, to dabble on.
But decided I wanted to collect, lower priced, short scale, semi acoustic basses.
There are quite a few about but I thought I'd start with one, I'd owned some years ago.
An Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat Bass.

So I went down to Reidys in Blackburn, as they are local and had one in.
Their shop is huge but their stock is larger.
So I had to wait half an hour, whilst they got the bass from their warehouse, down the road.
So I took the oppertunity to try out an Epiphone Viola Bass.
I'd owned something similar, donkey's years ago.
It was an Ibanez or Antoria, I think.
Anyway, these copies of the iconic Hofner Violin bass, are nicely built.
When I picked it up, it had that familiar, light-weight, vintage feel.
Slim neck, short scale and tiny body, give this bass a unique touch.
What did surprise me was the punchy tone, from the pickups.
Trying various balances of the 2 mini-humbuckers, gives some very good and usable sounds.
I don't want to offend Hofner owners but I find the Staple pickups of the Hofner Violin bass, kind of dead and thunky.
OK, the design of these diminutive basses, lends itself to that 60s, thick, slightly muted tone.
But IMO, the Viola works with that design, rather better.
It can't achieve the ringing tones of many contemporary basses.
But it merges the vintage with a slightly more contemporary approach.
This results in a very usable, if primitive bass.
I was quite impressed.

I also had time to have a quick play on a Squier, Deluxe Dimension Bass V, MN Black.
At under £300, I was very impressed.
Good build quality, nice design and active electronics.
The action was lovely and low, too.
The pre-amp isn't going to set the world on fire but overall, I really liked the feel of this fiver.

The Rumblekat arrived and reminded me, what a nicely built bass, it is.
Again, amazing quality for not much cash.
In many ways, a step up, from the Viola.
But tonally it is just far too limited.
Both it's pickups are near the neck.
So it does warm and vibrant very well and sounds good with a plectrum.
But the Viola has far more variety, punch and definition.

So I went away with the Viola and the Dimension.
Talk about opposites.
And also, very different from my 2 Sandbergs.
What fun I'm having with these 2 cheapies.
Cheap but very tasty, in my book.

Specs:

Epiphone Viola

Body: Maple
Colour: Vintage Sunburst
Neck: Maple, with Sloped Dovewing Headstock.
Neck Joint: Set-glued
Scale: 30.5 ins.
Fingerboard: Rosewood, with a 12 inch radius.
Nut: 1.65 ins.
Pick-ups: NYR mini humbucker
Controls:  Volume for each pickup and a Master Tone.
All with, classic inlaid gold tailpiece, a rosewood bridge, with a compensated rosewood saddle.



SQUIER Deluxe Dimension Bass V MN Black

Body Shape: Dimension Bass
Body Material: Basswood
Body Finish: Gloss Polyester
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: "C" Shape
Scale Length: 34" (864 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets: 20
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 2.008" (51 mm)
Neck Plate: 5-Bolt
Neck Finish: Gloss Polyester
Fingerboard: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Pickup:  High Output Humbucking
Controls: Master Volume, Active 3-Band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble)
Special Electronics: Active Electronics
Bridge: 4-Saddle Fender Hi-Mass
Tuning Machines: Standard Open-Gear
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Control Knobs: Knurled Flat-Top

grayn

PICS:

Viola

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2322.jpg~original
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2340.jpg~original
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2331.jpg~original
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2326.jpg~original


Squier

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2308.jpg~original
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2309.jpg~original
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo78/grahamsmike/100_2317.jpg~original

ICBM

Very cool, both of them. The quality of 'budget' instruments these days is phenomenal really, when you compare them to what that sort of money would have bought you twenty of thirty years ago.

I recently picked up a Fender 'Pawnshop' Mustang Bass to have something a bit different from my Rickenbacker 4001, although I haven't seen much of it since my daughter decided she would like to play bass…

BluesyDave

Purdy Basses.  Good score.

@ICBM, that's the last you'll see of the Mustang!

JezWynd

I had an Allen Woody for a while, as you say, build quality is very good but it really lacks something in the tone dept. Having the two pickups so close together at the neck seems a bit daft, it might have been a much better instrument with a more regular bridge pu layout.

I'm thinking about getting a second bass at the moment, something to complement my current Gibson SG bass. Thinking a long scale might be the way to go although I generally prefer short/med scale play-wise and tonally. Currently considering a 4003 though I've yet to get my hands on one so that might change.

The Dimension's a nice looking instrument - you don't do new bass day by halves do you!

grayn

Thanks guys.

Jez:  I agree, if the Rumblekat had one of it's pickups close to the bridge, it'd be so much more useful.
It's a really pretty bass and nice to play.

If you're looking for a 2nd bass, to your SG, what about a Warwick Rockbass Star Bass. (32 inch scale).

I don't usually buy 2 basses at a time but I'd returned a faulty pedal to the store, who offered me full value credit.
Which pretty much paid for the Dimension.

Bless 'em.

EricTheWeary

grayn said:

My gigging basses are 2, 4-string Sandbergs.
I've no desire to replace them but still like to acquire gear.
I'd thought about getting a cheap 5-stringer, to dabble on.
But decided I wanted to collect, lower priced, short scale, semi acoustic basses.
There are quite a few about but I thought I'd start with one, I'd owned some years ago.
An Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat Bass.

Is that what he played on his early, funny movies? 


I'll get me coat.


I am interested in the Squier if I ever get around to sorting out a better bass for my son. 

grayn

EricTheWeary said:

grayn said:

My gigging basses are 2, 4-string Sandbergs.
I've no desire to replace them but still like to acquire gear.
I'd thought about getting a cheap 5-stringer, to dabble on.
But decided I wanted to collect, lower priced, short scale, semi acoustic basses.
There are quite a few about but I thought I'd start with one, I'd owned some years ago.
An Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat Bass.

Is that what he played on his early, funny movies? 


I'll get me coat.


I am interested in the Squier if I ever get around to sorting out a better bass for my son. 

If Woody Allen played bass, he'd do it, with his back to the audience.

Bridgehouse

I'm liking that Epiphone Viola a lot! 

What's the collective wisdom on what is better - the Epiphone or the Hofner equivalent?

JezWynd

grayn said:

If you're looking for a 2nd bass, to your SG, what about a Warwick Rockbass Star Bass. (32 inch scale).

Thanks for reminding me about that one, I've read some stellar reviews of it and the 32" scale would be a good compromise (I've found playing fluid, melodic lines difficult on a long scale).

grayn

Bridgehouse said:

I'm liking that Epiphone Viola a lot! 

What's the collective wisdom on what is better - the Epiphone or the Hofner equivalent?

I tthink the Hofners are well made, especially the German ones.
Their pickups have that 60s thump that many people love.
But that's all you get really.
Not much variety.
Of course a good player and amp will make all the difference.

UnclePsychosis

Those look cool as anything. Good work. 

grayn

I took the Viola along to a band rehearsal, this week. 1st time I'd heard it through my gigging set up (Galien-Krueger amp / Mark Bass cab) Sounded really good. I played it all night. What fun.