NBsD: Little & Large - Ancient & Modern

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