Epi Viola Bass vs Douglas Viola Bass

[Illsidgus]

All you bass players out there I could use some advice. I am a guitar player (45+ years) but in the late 1960s early 70's I also played bass. I had a Black Jack violin shaped bass which I traded to some guy for a Honda Super 90. While I did have a lot of fun with that little bike, I wish I had kept the bass.

Now that I am reinstating my home recording studio, I want a bass again and since I really liked my Black Jack I would like a violin shaped bass again. Now to begin with, I can't afford a Hofner nor do I want one of their economy models. I have read a lot of reviews from different sources on the Epiphone Viola and they all sound good. I have also played one in a local music store. Then I discovered the Douglas violin shaped bass and cosmetically it is identical, except for the headstock of course, to the Epi. I don't know this but I would bet dollars to doughnuts that they are both made in the same factory in China with the same components by the same workers. Also I would like an unlined fretless bass which Douglas has that is a fretless version of the Epi Viola. Plus, the Epi is $299.00 and the Douglas is $159.95.

I would appreciate any opinions out there that might help me.

Dag

 

[dervish riff]

Since you've already had a violin bass, you know about them being neck heavy, although I had one back in the '80's that wasn't.

If the Douglas looks that close, I'd go for that--it's not like Henry's going to send you an attaboy card.

 

[rayc]

$159 isn't much to spend. Neither bass will be terrific though either may be fine. There's no knowing when it comes to instruments from those factories. It's a case of play before you pay & that will answer the questions for you. Otherwise take a punt on the one you figure suits you best.
You're in the US; for very little money you could buy a Danelectro, make a couple of quick, cheap changes and have a pretty good bass.
If you up for a punt - look at the MIJ 70's basses on Ebay etc - I'm sure you'll find something interesting.
I'm not advocating anything up market or pricey - I own a 70's Emperador semi acoustic and an early 80's Vantage. Both MIJ, both very well built and both suit their purposes.
Better think whether you want flat wounds like in the 70's too!

 

[Illsidgus]

Since you've already had a violin bass, you know about them being neck heavy, although I had one back in the '80's that wasn't.

First let me say thanks for your input guys. The biggest complaint that I have read about the Epi is that it is neck heavy. I don't remember my Black Jack being neck heavy but that was quite a long time ago. That really isn't an issue for me anyway as I won't be playing it on stage. More likely I'll play the bass while nestled comfortably in my recliner.

With either the Epi or the Douglas, the first couple of things that I would do when I had the money is to replace the tuners and the pots. I would really prefer 20:1 tuners over 14:1 and if everything that I have read about the pots they use in Asia, then I would like to replace their Alpha pots with CTS pots. The Douglas uses full size 500k-ohm pots and I am assuming that the Epi does too.

There are a couple of solid body basses that I would consider if I could find one within the Epi price range. And last month I had one of them in my hands. It was a late 1970s Peavey T-40. It was in very good condition, not quite near mint' had all its original hardware and electronics, the original hard shell case, and all the original paperwork, all for $230.00. It was in a pawnshop in Illinois. I am still kicking myself. Man those things were built like a tank. The other that I would consider is a late 60s early 70s Gibson EB3.

But I really want a semi-hollow body since 98% of my music is heavily acoustic with my electric used for fills and highlights when appropriate. I like the woody, airy sound of the semi-hollow body over the solid body.

If you up for a punt - look at the MIJ 70's basses on Ebay etc - I'm sure you'll find something interesting...Better think whether you want flat wounds like in the 70's too!

I am pretty sure that my Black Jack was MIJ. Japan was putting out some pretty fine instruments in the 60s and 70s. The Douglas ships with flat wound strings. That brings up another question. If I were to get a fretless, what are the best strings, flat wound or round wound?

A Good Day To You All

My Black Jack Bass

 

[antichef]

I'm not a bass player, but there happens to be an Epi Viola (fretted) in my home studio for the last week or so. I think one of my son's friend's left it there. I just went back and played it. The action is stiff-ish for my taste, and although it's got a bridge/saddle system, the saddle is floating and doesn't appear that it has an independently adjustable height - this might affect the options for a looser feeling setup, I don't know. It doesn't feel neck heavy to me (and I am a guitar player), but I might need to play it more to really tell.

Haven't seen the Douglas.

 

[ocnor]

And last month I had one of them in my hands. It was a late 1970s Peavey T-40. It was in very good condition, not quite near mint' had all its original hardware and electronics, the original hard shell case, and all the original paperwork, all for $230.00. It was in a pawnshop in Illinois. I am still kicking myself. Man those things were built like a tank.

WTF were you smoking that day? Get on the phone and see if they still have it and if they will ship it to you. The T-40 is heavy but it sounds great. I loved my Peavey T-20 bass until some dickhead robbed my practice space and stole it back in the 80s.

 

[BrianMcNevin]

I own an Epi Viola. It is what it is. It has a hollow sound, which doesn't translate well on most things compared to a solid body bass. If you don't have much of a budget and you're looking for a bass, which will do the job better in your studio, buy a Mexican made Fender P-Bass with a passive pickup. You won't be sorry. If improving the sound of the P-Bass becomes an issue down the road, change the pickup to something styled after a vintage Fender 50's one.

 

[Illsidgus]

I own an Epi Viola. It is what it is. It has a hollow sound, which doesn't translate well on most things compared to a solid body bass. If you don't have much of a budget and you're looking for a bass, which will do the job better in your studio, buy a Mexican made Fender P-Bass with a passive pickup. You won't be sorry. If improving the sound of the P-Bass becomes an issue down the road, change the pickup to something styled after a vintage Fender 50's one.

I have considered a solid body bass but as the majority of my music is heavily acoustic, I want a bass that will preserve that acoustic feel. Now I am going to say something that will make a lot of people scowl at me and label me a scoundrel, but I just don't like Fenders. Since the mid 60s when I first started seriously looking at guitars I haven't liked the look or feel of Fender guitars. Maybe the better option for me is a full out acoustic/electric bass. But I do like the violin shaped basses, maybe because it takes me back to when I was young instead of the old fart that I am now. Still, if the government or a higher power or someone with a gun pointed at my head forced a Fender bass on me I would prefer the P-Bass over the J-bass.

 

[YeshuasFan]

First let me say thanks for your input guys. The biggest complaint that I have read about the Epi is that it is neck heavy. I don't remember my Black Jack being neck heavy but that was quite a long time ago. That really isn't an issue for me anyway as I won't be playing it on stage. More likely I'll play the bass while nestled comfortably in my recliner.

With either the Epi or the Douglas, the first couple of things that I would do when I had the money is to replace the tuners and the pots. I would really prefer 20:1 tuners over 14:1 and if everything that I have read about the pots they use in Asia, then I would like to replace their Alpha pots with CTS pots. The Douglas uses full size 500k-ohm pots and I am assuming that the Epi does too.

There are a couple of solid body basses that I would consider if I could find one within the Epi price range. And last month I had one of them in my hands. It was a late 1970s Peavey T-40. It was in very good condition, not quite near mint' had all its original hardware and electronics, the original hard shell case, and all the original paperwork, all for $230.00. It was in a pawnshop in Illinois. I am still kicking myself. Man those things were built like a tank. The other that I would consider is a late 60s early 70s Gibson EB3.

But I really want a semi-hollow body since 98% of my music is heavily acoustic with my electric used for fills and highlights when appropriate. I like the woody, airy sound of the semi-hollow body over the solid body.



I am pretty sure that my Black Jack was MIJ. Japan was putting out some pretty fine instruments in the 60s and 70s. The Douglas ships with flat wound strings. That brings up another question. If I were to get a fretless, what are the best strings, flat wound or round wound?

A Good Day To You All

My Black Jack Bass
View attachment 72599

Looking at the headstock, I'm wondering if the bass was made by Eko (an Italian company).

 

[notCardio]

Between the two

I'd go for the Epi. You've played one, so it's a known quantity. As much as I'm a proponent of el cheapos, I really think ther quality of the Epi will be superior to the Douglas. FWIW, I was all excited when Hofner came out with their cheap version. The Epi beats the crap out of that, imo. I've been seriously thinking about getting one.

You might also consider an Epi Allen Woody. Very similar feel and sound.

Another option, if you're concerned about the 'acoustic-ness' is, of course, an acoustic-electric.

 

[Illsidgus]

FWIW, I was all excited when Hofner came out with their cheap version. The Epi beats the crap out of that, imo.

About six months ago I was browsing around in the GC in Nashville and picked up a cheap Hofner. It felt like a toy guitar. I was not impressed at all. Everything I have read indicates that the Epiphone Viola kicks the economy Hofners right out of the door, across the street and into the dumpster. If it wasn't for the price, I would seriously consider the Epiphone Jack Casady. I saw him on TV the other day playing one of his Epi basses.

 

[YeshuasFan]

I've often wondered if people buy the Hofner's for the image/appearance instead of the sound. Apart from McCartney and all the Beatles tribute bands, who actually uses them?

 

[Illsidgus]

I've often wondered if people buy the Hofner's for the image/appearance instead of the sound. Apart from McCartney and all the Beatles tribute bands, who actually uses them?

You are right, you don't see them very often except for Sir Paul. I guess I want a viola bass because it sends me back to 1969 when I was playing my Black Jack viola bass in a band with my brother. We recorded a song at a local studio and Liberty Records sent a telegram back to the studio wanting anther song for the flip side of a record. It took several months to write and record that second song and by that time Liberty was no longer interested. Still I look back to that time and that bass and to have one similar to it just kind of gives me a warm fuzzy.