Beatles violin basses and similar?

[Vince]

I'm thinking of getting one in a general move back to electrics.

I tried the Epiphone version of it today.

A bit disappointed, the acoustic sound was kind of not there, the neck felt chunky and the tuners did that ugly thing of being hard to tighten but slack afterward (I don't know the exact terms). Did I just try a bad one? Does anyone like them?

[Polar Bear]

That Epi one arrived in the shop only yesterday and is in dire need of a setup. The little Stagg on next to it may have been more to your liking as its actually hollow, so it's acoustic sound is much more pronounced.

[Vince]

That Epi one arrived in the shop only yesterday and is in dire need of a setup. The little Stagg on next to it may have been more to your liking as its actually hollow, so it's acoustic sound is much more pronounced.

Yeah, but the neck on the Stagg just felt nicer. Kind of more business like, in some way. I don't think that's setup. There's only a couple of hundred bucks' difference between the Stagg and the Epi so it's possible that the Stagg might just be punching a little above its weight.

[Polar Bear]

The Epi is actually only $599 at the moment, so not a hugely expensive instrument. For me, I prefer it's neck and solid body, but I think the Stagg is far better than it should be for the price, it sounds pretty authentic too, very thumpy.

[Vince]

The Epi is actually only $599 at the moment, so not a hugely expensive instrument. For me, I prefer it's neck and solid body, but I think the Stagg is far better than it should be for the price, it sounds pretty authentic too, very thumpy.

No, the Epi just LOOKS expensive, I must admit I was a bit surprised when I looked at the price tag. Certainly feels less "toy-like" than the Stagg. I did find the Stagg's neck a lot more agile though.

[StrummersOfThunder]

I owned an epiphone viola bass copy about 10 years ago, I regret selling it very much.
$599 I would say is a very good price. I would rate them as the best of the hofner 500/1 copies. And sound wise, I think once you slap on some half rounds or rounds you will be able to emmulate the classic hofner tone very closely. Haha, and it sounds like they are emulating the hofner tuning pegs too!!!
In my opinion epiphone is the better than the stagg.
Good luck