Epiphone Viola Bass

^# 18

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$322.00 to $449.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (38)

1 Critic Review

9 Reviews

Find out who is using Epiphone Viola

4 community setups

8 wishlisted

87 saved

Page last updated Jun 23, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated June 20, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (46)

$449.00

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5.0 (52)

$449.00

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4.2 (47)

$449.00

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5.0 (29)

$379.00 13 available New

$329.13 20 available Used

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4.0 (63)

$449.00

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5.0 (7)

$449.00

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$322.00

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£329.00

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Average Price: $409

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Epiphone Viola Bass is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Epiphone Viola Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash your inner Beatle with the Epiphone Viola Bass, a tribute to the legendary McCartney's Hofner Violin Bass. Crafted for musicians of all levels, this bass guitar offers the timeless, warm sound of a hollow body combined with the hard-hitting tone of mini-humbuckers. Its short-scale neck ensures comfortable playability, making it an absolute delight for both seasoned players seeking a unique sound, and beginners yearning for a piece of that Hamburg-era magic.

Key Features:

Iconic design inspired by McCartney's Hofner Violin Bass
Warm, resonant sound from the hollow body structure
Powerful tone generated by mini-humbuckers
Short-scale neck for comfortable playability
Ideal for both seasoned players and beginners
Durable construction suitable for live performances and studio sessions

Product specs

Number of Strings	4
Left-/Right-handed	Right-handed
Body Shape	Viola
Body Material	Maple
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Viola
Neck Joint	Set Neck
Radius	12"
Fingerboard Inlay	Dots
Number of Frets	22, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length	30.5"
Nut Width	1.650"
Bridge/Tailpiece	Adjustable Trapeze
Tuners	Chrome Die-cast
Neck Pickup	NYR Mini Humbucker
Bridge Pickup	NYT Mini Humbucker
Controls	2 x volume, 1 x master tone
Strings	.045-.105
Case/Gig Bag	Sold Separately

FAQs

What is the scale length of the Epiphone Viola Bass?: The Epiphone Viola Bass features a short scale length of 30.5 inches, which offers a more compact feel and is ideal for players who prefer a shorter reach and softer string tension.
What type of pickups does the Epiphone Viola Bass have?: The Epiphone Viola Bass is equipped with NYR and NYT Mini Humbucker pickups, providing a warm and vintage tone suitable for various music styles.
Is the Epiphone Viola Bass suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Epiphone Viola Bass is suitable for beginners due to its short scale length and comfortable playability, making it easier for new players to handle.
What is the body material of the Epiphone Viola Bass?: The body of the Epiphone Viola Bass is made from maple, contributing to its bright tonality and resonance.
Does the Epiphone Viola Bass come with a case or gig bag?: No, the Epiphone Viola Bass does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately.

Videos

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Reverb

Epiphone Viola Bass Guitar | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

The Epiphone Viola Bass

OfficialEpiphone

Epiphone Viola Bass

Tom Green

Epiphone Viola Bass, Vintage Sunburst | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Guitar Czar Epiphone Viola bass

Guitar Czar

Epiphone Viola BASS REVIEW

Dylan Godfrey Bass

Epiphone Viola Bass - A viable Hofner Beatle Bass alternative?? Demonstration of sounds and review

Jonathan Wong 458 Music

Epiphone Viola Bass vs. Hofner Club Bass (Contemporary series) - Sonic, neck and pricing comparisons

Jonathan Wong 458 Music

Epiphone Viola Bass Demo #beatlesbass #shortscalebass

Jonathan LAI - Hong Kong Bass Player

Reviews

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PROS

Affordable entry point into the world of hollow-body basses
Beautiful finish and aesthetic appeal; often draws compliments
Easy to play for those with smaller hands; slim, comfortable neck
Versatile sound; capable of producing deep, rich tones
Solid construction; not prone to shatter like lighter models
Quiet electronics; no noticeable pickup hum reported
Short scale bass that mimics vintage sounds
Sturdier and heavier than some competitors, providing a balanced feel
Unique zero fret feature allows for better open tuning
Perfect for genres like Motown and early rock, especially Beatles fans

CONS

Setup quality out-of-the-box can be inconsistent; may require professional adjustment
Not suitable for funk or slap bass playing styles
Tends to be neck-heavy, requiring careful balancing
Narrow string spacing might be uncomfortable for players with larger fingers
Intonation can be challenging to perfect due to floating bridge design
Some units reported with hardware issues, like tight input jacks or rounded screws

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Viola Bass.

Setup and maintenance

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Requires a thorough initial setup; users recommend maintaining it well for optimal performance.
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Some users recommend using medium-scale strings instead of short scale for better fit due to the specific tailpiece length of the Epiphone Viola Bass.
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Changing strings one by one prevents the floating bridge from falling off, a practical tip for maintaining setup stability.
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Comparisons

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Hofner basses are favored for feel, but Epiphone electronics are preferred by some owners for better sound quality.
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Some players prefer the short-scale Classic Vibe Mustang for its simplicity and robustness, although availability can be limited due to high demand.
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Some owners consider it a step up from the Hofner Ignition series, although not ideal for everyday practice.
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Build quality

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The bass is light and suitable for stage use but is perceived as flimsy compared to solid-body alternatives.
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Use cases and applications

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Long-term users have successfully used it for recording with flatwound strings maintained over several years.
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Users often pair the Viola Bass with flatwound strings for a durable setup that maintains sound quality over time, reducing the need for frequent string changes.
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Value and pricing

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A new Rogue bass is available for significantly less, but used options for Epiphone might offer better deals.
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Features and functionality

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The floating bridge allows for flexible intonation adjustments, although it may never be perfectly precise; marking the bridge's position with a pencil or tape helps maintain its placement.
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The bass can exhibit a hum when volume or tone is at 9 or 10, suggesting potential grounding issues.
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User experience

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Owners report that the bass tilts forward when standing with a strap, suggesting a workaround by tucking the strap under the tailpiece for better balance.
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Mods and upgrades

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A pickup change can significantly improve sound quality, with users noting a substantial difference post-upgrade.
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Critic Reviews

Product Review: Epiphone Viola "Beatle" Bass Guitar - HubPages

hubpages.com

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 38 Ratings

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3views_of_

151

10 months ago

More than a Beatle bass

You either love it or hate it... Great fat sound, no joke, it's one of the most comfortable basses I've ever played. Flats all the way out!

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Electronic Pop Hip Hop

jeremy_crockett

7006

over 2 years ago

I Really Wanted to LOVE This Bass.

I want to open with the idea that this is NOT a bad bass. It is well-made, the finish is beautiful and it is nice to have a Rosewood fretboard when you can find one. The one I have is Korean-made before the Rosewood restrictions on instruments.

The biggest problem, for me, is that the string spacing is entirely TOO NARROW. Uncomfortably so.

It sounds as it should and despite its limited sonic variety, what it does, it does well.

If you do not have enormous sausage fingers as I do, and are looking for a hollow-body Beatle bass, this one will serve you well and look good doing it. I am a complete sucker for aged Pearloid and dig the control plate.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Jazz

From Gear Setup

jessmartin

over 3 years ago

Fantastic Bass!!!

I'm a aspiring bass player, and this was the first higher end bass that I've been given. It had been bought from a local music store and I unwrapped it christmas morning, Needless to stay, it was great present. Being a Paul McCartney fan myself it finally allows me to get that signature thumby sound of his Hofner bass without going into the Hofner price range. Pair this instrument with a set of Flatround or Tapewound strings, and it will give you The Beatles sound (or close to it anyway haha)

I have my bass paired with a set of D'addario Flatround Bass Strings (ECB81/ Chromes XL Flatwound Bass Strings)

The only issue for me about this bass is the bridge, as with real hofners it is not easy to get the intonation perfect, you can get it the with E and G Strings, but the A and D strings will have to be as close as you can get them.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Having the Neck pup full only can get you that beatles thumb, but have the bridge pup can get you a really funky kinda tone, which also is useful for harmonics

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

evan_cameron

almost 10 years ago

Epiphone Viola

A good overall bass. It is NOT a Hofner though, it sounds "similar" but not the same. Pickups are a bit loud and some parts are "poorly made" to say the least. To put it into perspective, I got this bass for $115 CAD, don't pay any more than $200. And remember, it's a Epiphone, not a Hofner.

andrewsg

100

about 10 years ago

Great style, Great sound

This is a hollow body bass guitar with a fantastic sound. I use flatwounds on mine and it has a delicious 'Thwunk' to it that is just as appropriate in Jazz as it is in EDM - the tone knob makes a big difference. I got mine second hand for around £200 and i'm very happy.

richieslatermusic

109

over 10 years ago

Such a raw sound

I got this bass on New Years eve; 2014. This bass sounds like no other bass I've played before. Most would probably disagree but to me there's something the sound I just can't get anywhere else. It has such a raw, tinny sound that most basses would fall flat on this kind of tone; but this guy does it just right.