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Gibson Epiphone Viola Bass Review

Epiphone Viola Bass Render

The Gibson Epiphone Viola Bass is a beloved instrument that captures the essence of the British Invasion era while offering modern playability and affordability. This semi-hollow electric bass guitar has become a popular choice for bassists across various genres, from blues and jazz to indie rock and pop.

Epiphone Viola Bass Review: Design and Construction

The Epiphone Viola Bass features a lightweight and balanced maple body with a central solid block, which enhances sustain and reduces feedback. Its distinctive design pays homage to the iconic British Invasion style, making it instantly recognizable on stage. The slim-taper mahogany neck provides comfortable playability, especially for those transitioning from guitar or with smaller hands.

One of the standout features of this bass is its short 30.5″ scale length, which contributes to its ease of play and accessibility. This shorter scale makes it an excellent choice for bassists who find standard-scale instruments challenging or simply prefer a more compact feel.

Sound and Electronics

The Viola Bass is equipped with two NYR/NYT mini humbucking pickups, which deliver a classic tone that has been updated for modern musicians. These pickups offer a versatile range of sounds, from warm and woody to punchy and defined. The combination of the semi-hollow body and mini humbuckers results in a rich, resonant tone that works well for both vintage-inspired and contemporary styles.

Players can shape their tone using the bass’s control layout, which typically includes individual volume controls for each pickup and a master tone knob. This configuration allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities, from thick and thumpy to bright and articulate.

Playability and Comfort

The Epiphone Viola Bass is renowned for its comfortable playing experience. Its lightweight body and balanced design make it easy to play for extended periods, whether sitting or standing. The short scale length reduces string tension, making it easier to fret notes and perform bends, which can be particularly beneficial for players with smaller hands or those coming from a guitar background.

The bass’s semi-hollow construction also contributes to its resonance when played unplugged, making it a versatile instrument for practice sessions or acoustic jams.

Epiphone Viola Bass Review: Aesthetics and Finish

One of the most appealing aspects of the Epiphone Viola Bass is its vintage-inspired aesthetics. The instrument is available in various finishes, with the Vintage Sunburst being particularly popular. The high-quality finish gives the bass a premium look that belies its affordable price point, often leading observers to mistake it for a much more expensive instrument.

Comparison to Other Basses

While the Epiphone Viola Bass is often compared to the Höfner “Beatles Bass” due to its similar shape, it’s important to note that they are distinct instruments with their own characteristics. The Viola Bass offers a unique blend of vintage style and modern playability at a more accessible price point.

When compared to other budget basses, the Viola Bass stands out for its distinctive tone and aesthetics. It’s often mentioned alongside other popular affordable options like the Ibanez Talman TMB100 and the Squier Precision Bass, but it occupies a unique niche with its semi-hollow design and short scale.

Versatility and Genre Suitability

The Epiphone Viola Bass is surprisingly versatile, capable of handling a wide range of musical styles. Its warm, thumpy tone makes it well-suited for blues, jazz, and classic rock, while its ability to cut through a mix also makes it appropriate for pop and indie rock. Some players have even found success using it in genres like EDM, thanks to its distinctive sound.

Epiphone Viola Bass Review: Modifications and Upgrades

Many bassists find the Epiphone Viola Bass to be an excellent platform for modifications and upgrades. Common enhancements include:

  • Upgrading the strings to flatwounds or tapewounds for a more authentic vintage tone.
  • Replacing the bridge for improved intonation and sustain.
  • Upgrading the pickups for even more tonal options.

These modifications can further personalize the instrument and enhance its already impressive capabilities.

Price and Value

The Epiphone Viola Bass is generally considered an excellent value for its price point. It offers a unique combination of vintage style, comfortable playability, and versatile tone that’s hard to find in other basses in its price range. As of 2025, the bass is typically priced around £349 or equivalent, making it an accessible option for both beginners and experienced players looking for a distinctive second instrument.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Distinctive vintage-inspired design
  • Comfortable short scale length
  • Lightweight and well-balanced
  • Versatile tone suitable for various genres
  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Some players may find the string spacing too narrow1
  • Intonation can be challenging to perfect, particularly on the A and D strings1
  • Not ideal for slap bass techniques

Final Verdict

The Gibson Epiphone Viola Bass is a unique and compelling instrument that offers players a taste of vintage style and tone at an affordable price point. Its combination of comfortable playability, distinctive sound, and eye-catching aesthetics make it a popular choice for bassists across various skill levels and musical genres.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-play first bass, an experienced player seeking a distinctive second instrument, or a Beatles fan wanting to capture that iconic 60s tone, the Epiphone Viola Bass is certainly worth considering. Its versatility, coupled with its potential for customization, ensures that it can grow with you as a player and adapt to your evolving musical needs.

In the world of budget basses, the Epiphone Viola stands out as a instrument that doesn’t just mimic more expensive models, but offers its own unique character and charm. For those seeking a bass that combines vintage vibe with modern reliability and affordability, the Gibson Epiphone Viola Bass is an excellent choice that continues to win over players and audiences alike.

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Jake Skudder

Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer and successful Editor in Chief. Most importantly, he is a Bass and Guitar player with over 20 years of experience of both. Currently, he is using an Ibanez Talman Bass and Trace Elliot Series 6 715 Bass Amp when playing in his punk band Creature Arcade. Jake has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Sportskeeda, Pro Sports Extra, Wrestling Headlines, NoobFeed, Wrestlingnewsco and Keen Gamer, again under the name Jake Jeremy. Previously, he worked as the Editor in Chief of 24Wrestling, building the site profile with a view to selling the domain, which was accomplished in 2019. Jake was previously the Editor in Chief for Fight Fans, a combat sports and pro wrestling site that was launched in January 2021 and broke into millions of pageviews within the first two years. He previously worked for Snack Media and their GiveMeSport site, creating Evergreen and Trending content that would deliver pageviews via Google as the UFC and MMA SEO Lead. Jake managed to take an area of GiveMeSport that had zero traction on Organic and push it to audiences across the globe. Jake also has a record of long-term video and written interview content with the likes of the Professional Fighters League, ONE and Cage Warriors, working directly with the brands to promote bouts, fighters and special events. Jake also previously worked for the biggest independent wrestling company in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, as PR Head and Head of Media across the social channels of the company.

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