violin basses vs normal basses?

[DankStar]

I really dig the looks and shortness of a violin-style bass (the kind that is semi-hollow). Would I look like a total putz showing up to a rock band rehearsal ready to play some old Journey/even Sabbath with a violin bass? Is it just a beatles novelty, or can you get some rock going on one? Keep in mind, I kinda don't always do things normal (I use tube PAs for guitar amps, ya know?)

me likey: http://www.rondomusic.net/wvebvs.html

 

[cheeseface]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

i'm not a major beatlemaniac but, I think the early Beatle recordings sound fantastic. paul's sound and playing were awsome in those days.[ I'm still more of a stones head.]

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

On Joe Perry's newest solo album, he recorded all of the bass parts with an old Hofner violin bass, if that helps you any

 

[DankStar]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

I like what I'm hearing!

 

[Loserchief]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

i hate violin basses, they imo lack the punch and clarity to do any kind of real rock or metal sound

 

[DankStar]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

i hate violin basses, they imo lack the punch and clarity to do any kind of real rock or metal sound

rats!

 

[cheeseface]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

True. They may lack the definition in sound that modern players go for, but played the right way, they deliver a real deep stong "pulse". Good for the bassist who is more concerned with being "Felt", rather than heard.
Good rythem players know what I'n talking about.
Actually, with a good amplifier, one could do some heavy duty souding bass work I figure. Guys like Geezer Butler, [Sabbath], and Cliff Williams,[AC/DC],make use of deep pulsating,sound and rythem.

 

[DankStar]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

Looks like I'll need to find one to test out. I kinda like the idea of using a nontraditional bass in a rock setting. It's all about the PULSE, baby!

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

I liked the violin style bass Jack Bruce was using on the Cream reunion!

 

[DankStar]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

I liked the violin style bass Jack Bruce was using on the Cream reunion!

man, this is like a ping pong match! :rambo:

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

The Jack Bruce violin bass and the McCartney Höfner is two different beasts. The Gibson violin EB-1(?) has a mudbucker/sidewinder pickup in the neck position which gives a very dark bassy tone, some call it "muddy" or "dull", i call it a bass guitar. The Höfner is a fun one but not my no.1 bass. Alltext is IMO

 

[Bezmotivnik]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

I'll pass on the violin basses.

For one thing, they are relatively difficult to find proper strings for, especially locally and for under $50, which puts that $199.99 bass's true costs into perspective, as the strings that come on them are egregious.

FWIW, even the real Hofner basses were pretty uniformly reviled for nearly thirty years until these cheapies came along and geezer bassists started getting nostalgic or just silly. When I was gigging in Germany in the old days, you absolutely couldn't give one of those things away and wouldn't be caught dead playing one.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: violin basses vs normal basses?

The Jack Bruce violin bass and the McCartney Höfner is two different beasts. The Gibson violin EB-1(?) has a mudbucker/sidewinder pickup in the neck position which gives a very dark bassy tone, some call it "muddy" or "dull", i call it a bass guitar. The Höfner is a fun one but not my no.1 bass. Alltext is IMO

The only "name" player I can think of that regularly used an EB-1 is Felix Pappalardi of Mountain- and you can hear that massive farty sound in Mississippi Queen, Never In My Life and Don't Look Around.

True. They may lack the definition in sound that modern players go for, but played the right way, they deliver a real deep stong "pulse". Good for the bassist who is more concerned with being "Felt", rather than heard.
Good rythem players know what I'n talking about.
Actually, with a good amplifier, one could do some heavy duty souding bass work I figure. Guys like Geezer Butler, [Sabbath], and Cliff Williams,[AC/DC],make use of deep pulsating,sound and rythem.

You're still talking about 2 guys that primarily used P Basses. There's a world of difference in a short scale hollow body bass like the Hofner and a full scale solid body bass. No amplifier is going to make up for the shortcomings of those instruments.

I'll pass on the violin basses.

For one thing, they are relatively difficult to find proper strings for, especially locally and for under $50, which puts that $199.99 bass's true costs into perspective, as the strings that come on them are egregious.

FWIW, even the real Hofner basses were pretty uniformly reviled for nearly thirty years until these cheapies came along and geezer bassists started getting nostalgic or just silly. When I was gigging in Germany in the old days, you absolutely couldn't give one of those things away and wouldn't be caught dead playing one.

Just like anything the Beatles played, and especially the "Beatle Bass" were sought after instruments. "Reviled" is a pretty strong word for basses that were cheap, but have always commanded a lot more in money than what they're really worth.

The strings for those basses aren't any different than any other string- it's a short scale bass.