Reviewer Ken Kellerman
Manufacturer Epiphone
Model Viola Bass
Price ~$539

Neck Type Glued on
Fingerboard ?
Body Type Hollow-body
Finish Sunburst
Pickup(s) 2 "humbuckers"
Controls 2 Vol 1 Tone

What a surprise. In many respects, this bass was not at all what I expected. It is not an imitation Hofner, which is what I thought: The scale of the neck is longer (it uses regular, long strings). It does not have a pickguard. I think (from memory) that the pickups are better. I played a bunch of old Hofners in the late '60s when I worked at a music store on 48th St in NYC. They sucked. This bass doesn't suck.

It has decent and variable tone, and a very lively sound. The neck is wierd. It may be the narrowest I've ever experienced, which definitely takes some getting used to, but makes the guitar highly recommendable for those with small hands, and/or those who play with a pick. I can't say I'm overly fond of the neck's high-gloss finish. The bridge is very nice, miles better than the Hofner or the old viola-shaped Echo(?). The finish is surprisingly good on mine - again, to my memory, better than the Hofner it's shape is knocking off.

It is heavier than the Hofner, and, unfortunately, comes in a full-size case - lots of waste. Epiphone could have taken advantage of the smaller body better, I think.

My only other criticism is with the pickups which are noisy-noisy. I think they may be singles, despite the ads. But they are extremely responsive, to compensate.


Construction 85%
Playability 80%
Appearance 90%
if you like the shape, -10 if not
Sound 80%
Value 90%
Overall 85%

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