bassfiddlesteve
Well-known member
Two questions:
Does anyone make a reasonably-priced six-string short scale bass?
Are roundwound or flatwound strings better for the Viola bass (semi-acoustic Hofner style)?
1) The only short scale six string basses I know of are actually "baritone guitars" like the Fender Bass VI or the Danelectro that are tuned EADGBE like a guitar but one octave lower. They are not reasonably priced though. I've never heard of a short scale six string bass with the modern BEADGC tuning. Many actually have extra long scale for the low B string.
2) I prefer flatwounds on my Hofner and my daughters Epiphone Viola, but I also play upright bass and I like a deep, traditional bass sound with a firm fundemental and no metallic overtones or finger noise. If you like the bass sound on records from the 60's (i.e. Motown, Stax, Bealtes) then you will like the flatwounds. If you prefer a more modern, brighter tone with a clear attack then stick with the roundwounds. Personally, I think that flatwound strings bring out the best qualities with short scale hollowbody basses like the Epiphone Viola. I actually run flats on all of my basses except the five-string which I rarely gig with.
- Steve
Last edited: