Hollowbody Bass Archive

<$700 Hollowbody Bass Holiday Guide

December 11, 2006 at 8:52 pm · Filed under Bass Sightings

Just in time for everyone’s favorite gift-giving season, why not give the gift of bowel-rattling thunder bass?

I’ve assembled a list of all currently-produced hollowbody, semi-hollow or chambered basses that can be had for under $500. I haven’t personally reviewed these basses because (1) I can’t afford to buy one of each and (2) I can’t convince the companies to send me free ones to review. I’ve made every attempt to point out where to purchase these instruments as well as where you can find reviews for each online. Obviously, nothing beats trying out a bass in person, but in the digital age it’s getting harder and harder to play an instrument before you buy it with the small shops folding under the weight of the online dealers.

So without further ado……….

Douglas Violin Bass

Douglas WVEB Violin Bass
Price: $139.95
Made In: China

Up first is the cheapest hollowbody that Rondo Music has to offer. If you’re not familiar with Rondo Music, it’s a brick & mortar shop that has been open since 1959. A few years back, the owner started importing guitars under several ‘house brands’.

This is a typical Chinese/Indonesian Hofner copy, similar to (and probably made in the same factory) as the likes of Brownsville, Johnson, Jay Turser, etc. This model touts “real tiger maple flamed top and back”, obviously a laminate. All your standard features for a Beatle bass. Set neck. Not sure if the pickups are actually humbuckers or not under those covers.

I like the headstock on this model. It’s a little more ‘modern’ than most direct copies, but I think it works.

Purchase directly from Rondo: http://www.rondomusic.net/wveb.html
See more pics in this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=140057349158

No online reviews.

Brice Hofner Copy Bass

Brice HVB-600
Price: $249.99
Made In: Korea
A more traditional and ‘upscale’ (if you can call $250 ‘upscale’) Beatle bass from another of Rondo’s house brands, Brice. This one features more Hofner-esque appointments, including the headstock, pickguard and control configuration. The finish is little more yellow than the reddish Douglas model. Otherwise, they’re probably the same bass.

Purchase directly from Rondo: http://www.rondomusic.net/hvb600.html

No online reviews.

So this whole ‘writing reviews’ thing is getting a little old. From here on out, I’ll give the price and link directly to the manufacturer description, where to purchase and any Harmony Central reviews.

Brice ASB-1 Bass
Brice ASB-1
Price: $349.95
Made In: Korea

Wow. These descriptions are taking longer to write than I thought……This is Rondo’s most expensive Hollowbody, but still cheap my most comparisons. This one popped up a few months ago. I was wondering if they’d get on the Gibson-style bandwagon; to the delight of bass player wallets, they did.

Purchase directly from Rondo: http://www.rondomusic.net/asb1.html

No online reviews.

Eastwood Club Bass
Price: $449.95
Made In: UNKNOWN