If you’re searching for your next bass and you’re wondering if Epiphone Viola will be a good choice, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, we’re going to take a really close look on that affordable vintage-style guitar. It’s a really popular model, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Epiphone Viola Bass offers a really good value. It sounds, looks and feels like a much more expensive guitar. Surely, all lovers of vintage gear will be really satisfied with that bass. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Viola Bass so good and so popular among the bassists of all levels. Firstly, we’ll start with the overview of the specification. Additionally, we’ll investigate the advantages and disadvantages of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Overview – Specs & Pricing
Epiphone Viola Bass is a mid-level bass guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. This model competes directly with the legendary Hofner Ignition Violin Bass and to be honest, it exceeds all the expectations.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a lightweight maple body with flame maple top, a comfortable maple neck and smooth rosewood fingerboard which guarantees comfortable playing experience. It also has a 30.5″ scale length, which means that this is a short scale bass.
The manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of really good pickups – NYR & NYT Mini Humbuckers. These pickups offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone – it’s not just about The Beatles sound! Surely, musicians of all genres will appreciate the sound of the Viola Bass.
What’s important, the guitar is available in a Vintage Sunburst color, which looks fantastic from the outside. There’s something really cool about that unique, vintage design. It will definitely draw a lot of attention when you’ll take it with you on stage.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not really a cheap bass guitar, but at the same time it’s not overly expensive. Saving up to get that particular model shouldn’t be a massive problem – it’s within reach of any bass player and it’s worth every cent.
Here’s a great sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Pros And Cons
Epiphone Viola is generally a fantastic bass guitar, but as you can imagine – it has its own advantages and disadvantages. I created a short list of pros and cons of that model, but don’t worry – there are far more advantages in this case!
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Great Tone
- Vintage Look
- Unique Style
- Comfortable Neck
Cons
- Usually Comes Without A Gig Bag
- Neck Dive
As you can see, the main advantage of that model is the fact that it offers an exceptional value for the money. It won’t be easy to find a similar guitar at this price level. On top of that, it’s really comfortable to play and it has a really unique look.
On the other hand, the Viola usually comes without a gig bag, so you’ll have to get it separately. Additionally, some guitarists complain about the neck dive of that model – it’s mostly caused by the fact that this is a semi-hollow body bass. It’s not a big problem though – you’ll just have to get used to it.
As you can see, the advantages of Viola Bass outweigh the disadvantages of that model. There’s nothing to worry about and it’s really unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws. In general, these guitars are really well made and they’re ready to play straight after unboxing!
Who Is It Designed For?
Epiphone Viola Bass is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate bass players. It doesn’t really matter how advanced you are – it will work well as your first instrument of this type but at the same time it will also work well for practice, rehearsals and live performances.
Just like the Violin Bass manufactured by Hofner, the Viola is also a really versatile instrument. As a result, it can be used in a lot of different styles of music. So whether you’re into country, blues, rock or indie – this model will do the job.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that although it’s not the cheapest bass out there, it’s still relatively affordable. Bass guitars of this type tend to be really expensive, so Viola model really stands out. That’s why it’s suitable for bassists who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on new gear.
Overall, this is a fantastic bass guitar. I’m positive that the vast majority of bass players will really enjoy playing and practicing on that bass. It may not be a high-end model, but it certainly looks and sounds like a much more expensive guitar. That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Epiphone Viola Bass or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good bass guitars that also deserve a lot of attention. Of course, it all depends on what you’re looking for and how much are you willing to spend on new gear.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, you should definitely check out Hofner Ignition Violin Bass. For those who aren’t aware, Paul McCartney was playing on a similar model while he was developing his music career with The Beatles. This is one of the best violin bass guitars out there and it guarantees a fantastic playing experience.
Alternatively, you can also check out Ibanez Talman TMB30. This is an affordable short scale bass suitable for both amateur and more advanced bassists. It’s a great compact bass which offers a surprisingly good value for the money. Surely, bass players on a low budget will really enjoy that one.
Additionally, you can also consider getting Epiphone EB-0. It’s a short scale SG-style bass, so it’s a bit different than the Viola Bass mentioned in today’s article. It has a bit different tone and for a lot of people it may be too muddy. But to be honest, this is actually the biggest advantage of that model. It’s not for everyone, but perhaps you’ll love it!
FAQ
Where is Epiphone Viola Bass manufactured?
The Viola Bass is manufactured in China.
Is the Viola Bass good for beginners?
Yes, if you’re just starting out, choosing the Viola Bass by Epiphone will be an excellent choice. It’s a great bass to start with and it guarantees a comfortable learning experience!
Where can I learn more about Epiphone?
If you want to find out more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Epiphone.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone Viola Bass is a fantastic vintage-style instrument. I’m positive that the vast majority of bassists will immediately fall in love with that model. Epiphone did an absolutely fantastic job in this case!
What do you think of that bass? Would you add it to your own bass collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
