About the Name

• "VS" refers to "vintage sunburst," the name of the red and orange paint colors of the instrument's flame-laminated finish. "Viola" refers to the instrument's shape--which, although significantly larger, is reminiscent of the bowed string instrument of the same name. The "viola" reference is not indicative of the instrument's sound, which differs greatly from that of a viola.
  
  

Structural Features

• An Epiphone Viola VS Bass guitar's hollow body design is constructed primarily of hardwood maple. The instrument's 30 1/2-inch "short scale" neck is also constructed of maple, the fret board of which is constructed of rosewood with plastic dot inlays and chrome frets. The instrument's hollow body makes it extremely lightweight in comparison to other electric bass guitars.
  
  

Electronic Features and Sound

• The Epiphone Viola VS Bass has two mini humbucker pickups. The knobs on the instrument dictate bridge pickup volume, neck pickup volume and tone. According to the musical instrument product review site Storm Gods, the Epiphone Viola VS offers a more abrupt, punchy sound in comparison to traditional bass guitars. The site also claims that the instrument lacks sustain.
  
  

History

• The Epiphone Viola VS Bass was created as a facsimile tribute to the Hofner 500-1 electric bass guitar manufactured in Germany during the 1950s. That instrument was made famous by several musicians, but most notably by Beatles bassist Paul McCartney. The Epiphone Viola VS Bass was created to offer a cost-effective visually and acoustically similar instrument made famous by McCartney. Hofner also creates a replica of the instrument played by McCartney, the Hofner contemporary.
  
  

Availability

• The Viola VS Bass is one of Epiphone's most popular and widely sold instruments. It is available at most music stores and numerous online music retailers such as Musician's Friend and Guitar Center. As of 2009, the guitar usually retails for $329.99.
  
  

Alternatives

• Musician's Friend manufactures an even cheaper alternative "viola" style bass under its musical instrument brand name Rouge. The Rouge VB-100 retails for $199.99 as of 2009.