I am looking to add a base to my collection to play around with. I played some bass as a kid, but haven't picked one up since.
Ok - I know these are all Chinese Cheapies but is anyone familiar with or played and can comment on any of these three?
Thanks in advance for your input!
I have an original Hofner, and the bass player in one of the bands I'm in picked up an Icon recently, so we did some direct comparison. In his opinion, and he's way smarter than me, the color is a little off- maybe too bright- on the icon, but it plays and sounds about the same. He was totally impressed with the icon in light of the savings.
On the other hand, he doesn't plan to use it too much. He notes that it's pretty dark sounding, not overly versatile and not real responsive. But that's Hofner. You just have to be aware of what it sounds like because you can't do much to change that.
OH and I saw one of these at Guitar Center.
i've only had a chance to try out the Epiphone, but it sounded amazing! one thing you'll need to be aware of, though, is that they're extremely dark sounding basses, and a lot of people don't like that.
the Rogue and Jay Turser basses look eerily identical, and nearly identical to the Epiphone, only they don't have the zero fret, but do have the more accurate “vintage” switching set-up. the Hofner Icon doesn't have the zero fret, either, and the knobs are wrong, but, it's got much more accurate looking tuners, tailpiece, and pickups. i have absolutely no idea how they compare in sound, playability, etc. sorry.
have you considered the Epiphone Allen Woody “Rumblekat?” it's another semihollow bass that cops some of the “Beatle Bass” vibe, but is still 100% uniquely Epiphone (unlike their “Viola Bass!”)
I have the Epi Viola bass, and I think it's great. I paid about $400 (CDN) for mine, a couple of years ago, so that price in the link you posted is a great price.
Like you, I just got it for tooling around on and for recording tracks at home. I put a set of flatwound strings on it, and I love the sound and playability of it. It's a shorter scale, so I think it's a great bass for people who are primarily guitarists - doesn't feel like you've got to stretch your fingers so far from fret to fret. I've seen people on TV playing this bass - I mean mainstream bands, people on Austin City Limits, that kind of thing.
Thanks for the input. I may go back tomorrow to play the EPi. Unfortunately the Rogue,JT and Hofner would be a sight unplayed purchases. So still hoping someone else (Hofner review sounded interesting) who has played or owns one will turn up.
Thanks for the input. I may go back tomorrow to play the EPi. Unfortunately the Rogue,JT and Hofner would be a sight unplayed purchases. So still hoping someone else (Hofner review sounded interesting) who has played or owns one will turn up.
My daughter has the Rogue violin bass. It's a bargain compared to the Epi version (I've heard they're made in the same factory), and is nicely made. I'm not a bass player, so I can't give it a real review, but my daughter is fond of it, and the bass player in our band quite likes it. And all tone issues aside, there is the fact that it weighs half what a Precision bass weighs, and that's no joke after two or three hours.
I'm not much of a bass player, but I have the Rogue version and I'm pretty happy with it. I have it strung with Rotosound flats. It's pretty easy to play and I like the tone better than the MIM P-bass that I had. I've had it for over 3 years and haven't had any trouble with it. The wiring and electronics aren't top notch, but they get the job done. That said, the Hofner Icons weren't out at that time otherwise I would have bought one of those. I'd bet they're made in the same factory. 8th Street Music is selling one with case for $395.00 delivered, which is pretty close to what I paid for the Rogue with a rectangular fitted case. Hofner Auction
I've had the Jay Turser version for a few years now and I have to say it's an excellent value for the money. I strung it with Pyramid flats and to my ear, it nails the Hofner sound. They build quality is quite good. I did do a little bit of work smoothing out the fret ends, but other than that it's stock. It's a blast to play. The only small think that bugs me about it (cosmetically) is the tuners - the style looks out of place on the guitar IMHO.
I can't offer a comparison to the Hofner Icon. I probably would have considered it as well if it had been out when I bought mine.
Doesn't stuff like Epi and J Turser, etc. all come from the same factory?
they might, but, even if they do, that doesn't really mean anything — all of the different brands clearly "spec" these basses differently, and those differences might run deeper than what you can see on the surface (pickups, pots, switches, etc), and, even if they are all "spec'd" the same, different companies will have different levels of internal quality control, etc, so two guitars could easily come from the exact same factory, look exactly the same, and, yet the feel, sound, and overall quality, could still be radically different!
The Rogue I worked on for a friend was a nice, simple bass. Nothing too exciting, generic minibuckers & a kind-of-sloppy interior, but for $200 it's not a bad deal. I haven't tried an Icon, but the Hofner guys on other forums all seem to be impressed with it.
My vote, however, is for the Eastwood Club. Not exactly the usual Beatle Bass (well, early Beatle) and $500 isn't exactly cheap (to me), but I'd take it over the Rogue anyday. It's very well made, the interior is clean & tidy, the staple pickups sound great and with a set of flats, it feels surprisingly lively.
Besides, I'm making millions from royalty checks every time they sell one. 
I got the Epiphone. Bought used for 120 euro. It came with flatwounds on. It's made in Korea, so i can't tell how it compares to the China made ones. I wanted a "woody" sound, and the Epi has it.Someone might call it dark, i call it "woody". It's not a bass for "slapping" of course, it's lightweight, the short scale is good for me, being a guitarist. I like it, and it plays good through my Bassman 59 LTD.
I've had a Turser for a few years and have had no problems with it. It's fun to play and gets close to that signature Hofner thump. Whichever Beatle bass copy you buy, invest in a good set of flatwounds to bring out the real Beatle bass sound. The roundwounds that come on a lot of the copies are cheap and just plain stink. I've got LaBella Deep Talkin' Strings for Beatle Bass on mine.
Hey everyone Thanks, Dig- The Club may be an option. I just bought an Eastwood and I am very impressed. THANKS TO ALL!
That Club Bass is on my "to investigate further" list. I've just got to find one in stock somewhere.
Cool bass (The Eastwood posted by dignan). I wan't familiar with it. Thanks for the link and the photo.
Yeah, flats are a necessity on a Hofner or Hofner-clone (Halfner?). The short scale, skinny neck, archtop construction & wide pickup spacing all make it so unlike any traditional electric bass, it causes history to warp around on itself and is thus the most traditional electric bass...
Just watch the last half hour of 2001, it'll make sense, really.
I owned the epiphone viola for a few years..
I enjoyed it. It was a little heavier both in weight and sound to me than a hofner...
I played a Rogue and found it to be just fine..easy to play and well constructed for the price...
And I played the Hofner Icon and over all it was the best.
I own a real Hofner '63 reissue and the icon comes the closest.
I have the Rogue, and it's a fantastic instrument.
I've owned it for about 3 years now, and it's never once played up on me. It's got a great sound, feels great to play, the electronics are solid and it looks like it costs a lot more than it actually did. I've used mine at gigs and for recording and never once had a problem getting the sound I wanted out of it.
As far as I'm concerned it's one of the nicest basses I've ever owned or played.
I recently (about 2 weeks) purchased the Epiphone Viola Bass. Im not really a bass player but I use it for recording. I was amazed with how quiet the pick ups were, no hiss barely any hum. It plays great and is so light, I find it great sounding for my recording. I would love to have bought a Gretsch Brodcaster Bass, but I cannot afford another expensive guitar. Great bass. Karl
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Grow a pair and buy a real bass - an UPRIGHT !
HA !
Jeff, you have a pair of those plastic truck nuts on your bass, don't you? Be honest.
