Looking for string suggestions for Epiphone Viola bass (short scale). This is a new style bass for me - I have a double bass and electric upright. I mainly play bluegrass, and want the Epiphone to be able to fit within that genre. But I'm also looking to learn some rock, etc. Thanks.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
String suggestions for Epiphone Voila bass
- Thread starter dhudson
- Start date
Sorry, I probably didn't give the best scenario. I just purchased the Epiphone - used. It has tapewound strings that are at the point of needing replacement.
I have no specific recommendations...yet.
One thing I wanted to mention is this particular bass is "short scale", but the chances are most "short scale" strings will be too short due to the bridge design. Just to make sure, can you measure the E string from where the ball end is seated to where it just clears the nut? That would be the minimum "winding length" you would need.
I think the Viola bass is like a Hofner in that short scale is too short given the tailpiece. I never remembered buying short scale strings when I owned one years ago.
I always put round wound on mine, and I liked it. Flats get so thuddy on an already thuddy bass like the Viola.
I always put round wound on mine, and I liked it. Flats get so thuddy on an already thuddy bass like the Viola.
Mine wears a set of well broken in medium scale Chromes. It can do the classic 60’s thump and punchy 70’s punk with ease. I couldn’t image restringing it with anything else.
If tape wound strings aren’t your thing you might like La Bella DTF strings. Great classic tone, really rich lows. I like TI flats but they are a little more lively in my opinion. Too many options! Do you like really stiff, medium or soft tension? You said “floppy” so not light tension. Are you looking for that thud tone from 50s/60s or thereabouts?
What @blacktocomm said. Thumpy, deep with good mids and kinda on the higher end of stiffness and a really good value - D’Addario Chromes. Don’t panic, they are pretty bright first few days or so but they settle in after several hours of playing.
I have Labella Flats on my Hofner Club bass and I really like them.
"Medium Scale" by D'Addario, La Bella, Dunlop = 34" winding length (ball end to silk/taper). Includes the La Bella Beatle set.
"Short Scale" by DR = 33.75" winding.
"Medium Scale" by GHS = 35.5" winding.
"Short Scale" by TI = 35.5" winding.
Etc...
I use medium scale Dunlop flats on my 2 Hofner basses and I love them. I have Chromes on my Brice violin bass, which is closer to the Viola, and they do great as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either. LaBella's will work too, but I don't like them as well on the violin basses as I do the Dunlops and the Chromes.
I’m assuming your bass is stock like mine is.
I’ve used TIs and GHS Pressurewounds on my Epi Viola bass. Both worked really well. But I ended up preferring the Pressurewounds. I thought they provided a more interesting range of tones on that bass.
I’ve used my Epi for rock and pop. I even took it to a blues jam. It did well for all of those.
I’m contemplating trying some tapewounds on it eventually, assuming I can find a short scale set I actually like. My preferred tapewounds (ok, more like the only tapewounds I’d give you a nickel for) are Labella 750C Copper White Nylons. But they’re only available in long scale. So I haven’t done much on that front yet.
I’ve used TIs and GHS Pressurewounds on my Epi Viola bass. Both worked really well. But I ended up preferring the Pressurewounds. I thought they provided a more interesting range of tones on that bass.
I’ve used my Epi for rock and pop. I even took it to a blues jam. It did well for all of those.
I’m contemplating trying some tapewounds on it eventually, assuming I can find a short scale set I actually like. My preferred tapewounds (ok, more like the only tapewounds I’d give you a nickel for) are Labella 750C Copper White Nylons. But they’re only available in long scale. So I haven’t done much on that front yet.
Last edited:
How did you get the GHS PWs to fit on that bass? According to the OP, the minimum winding length needed is 33.25", and the GHS "short scale" is only 32.75" in winding length. Or, are you talking about when the PW were available in "medium scale"?