Epiphone Viola Bass (Vintage Sunburst) Reviews

3.9/5.0 based on 4 customer reviews

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Customer Reviews

Jeremy
from Alabama
January 14, 2013Music Background:
Pro Musician

Pleasantly surprised

I bought one of these second-hand, looked like brand new. I normally play a jazz bass, but over the years the weight is getting to my shoulder. I was looking for something lighter and short-scale, so I could change out for a few songs and go back to jazz bass. Well, after 3 months, I hardly play my jazz bass anymore. I play rock, blues, and a little country, and play flat-wounds ( I like LaBella, but ymmv). I never did do much slap on my jazz, and don't on this either. What little I have done on this bass doesn't sound great, but probably has more to do with the strings. What this bass does do, and does well, is deliver a nice, clean tone, on any fret on any string. There are no dead spots, and after tweaking the bridge/neck a little, no buzzes. If you are a melodic bass player and want a clear-as-a-bell sound (best I've heard without active electronics), you need to check this out. Mine had no case, and I don't like hard shells much, but found a nice RoadRunner case for it.

Timothy Buss
from Summersville, WV
April 25, 2013Music Background:
Composer/Producer

Very Good!

I was looking for a bass with a deep, woody tone and this is it! This bass will give you this characteristic tone best with flatwound strings, the round wound stings on in were a bit to bright for me and yes they are really more designed as placeholders until you can put on good strings. The build was perfect with no defects found. I was able to get a good range of tones from various pickup combinations and the tone control was pretty good, too. As well, the pickups were quite strong and allowed for responsive play. I normally don't buy instruments that I have not played first but this is my second from Sweetwater and still no complaints! Their service is top notch!

gary
from Kansas City, Mo
December 26, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

Big change

What I hear and feel from a bass guitar track has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of this instrument, in comparison to the solid, flat, electric bass I had been using.....the sound coming from this guitar is a much more acoustic, viola sound.....I'm really glad I got it....

Steve
from Columbus, OH
February 14, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

Good with a few issues

This is my second bass and the first of this type.
When it arrived I played it immediately but the action seemed high, especially for the E and A strings. I adjusted the neck some and lowered one side of the bridge to where is played better but the A string had a buzz while the E didn't. Since I was short on time I put a little material under the A string at the nut and the buzzing stopped. Not very professional but plays and sounds pretty good now. I've gotten some compliments on its sound and people love its looks. When I have some time I will probably do some more adjustments since the intonation doesn't seem to be true all the way up the neck for some strings. It sits pretty good on my lap when I'm sitting down but the placement of the strap button on the neck side causes the top of the bass' body to move away from my body. A different placement of the button may help it lay flatter against my body when I'm standing. That would be my preference. Instruments have their individual characteristics that take a little time to get to know and you have to adapt yourself and/or the instrument. That's where I'm at currently. For the price a pretty good deal.