Thoughts on Jack Casady Epi basses?

[Ccwg_Bass]

Checking out Epiphone Jack Casady basses. I’m liking the Eb2 look on the top, mixed with a Les Paul lower. But what’s the reality? They look sweet, the vids I’ve seen make them sound sweet. Anyone got any experience with them! Pro’s & Con’s?

[Jonesy]

They're really lovely basses and capable of being a lot punchier than your every day hollow body, though they do that well too! The necks are comfy and they're pretty light, as such they have a tendency to go south. It's not bad and neck dive isn't an issue for me, but it's nothing a suede back strap can't sort if it really bothers you. The only thing that takes a bit of adjusting to is the shape as they're pretty big and wide, so it means you just have to adjust your playing position. It's no biggie, but it might start off as feeling uncomfortable until you find what works for you. 

[TheGreek]

I had one for a while.  Aesthetically they are great but as basses they lack a lot. 

Don't confuse them with solid bodied electric basses  - they're a completely different beast. 

I kept mine for about 3 months,  don't miss it at all. 

[Geddys nose]

They do seem to twist sideways when on a strap, you end up fighting its balance.  I personally could not get over that.

 

The Hofner Verithin is a much more comfy bass and sounds great if you want something Semi acoustic.

[Dad3353]

11 minutes ago, Geddys nose said:

They do seem to twist sideways when on a strap, you end up fighting its balance.  I personally could not get over that.

 

The Hofner Verithin is a much more comfy bass and sounds great if you want something Semi acoustic.

 

[Pedantry] You probably mean 'Verythin'; the Verithin is the original, vintage designation, with a completely hollow body. Both are excellent; the Verithin is becoming rare, as less than 300 were made, and many have not withstood the ravages of time. Just sayin'.  [/Pedantry]

 

 

[spencer.b]

I've played my mates one a fair bit , the 34 inch scale and pick up in the precision sweet spot marks it out from the other semi basses, I loved it sitting down but struggled with it stood up

[Cat Burrito]

I had one of the first JC basses and the original lot came with a hard case. Sadly that is seperate now. I was blown away with the bass. I sold it due to a change of circumstances and it was one of many that went in a massive cull. I now own a Gretsch longscale and a Hofner Verythin longscale, both of which are excellent. I don't think you'd go too far wrong with an Epi JC but equally don't be afraid to try some of the alternatives out there too. They're all so much better these days.

[uk_lefty]

Absolutely love my JC Bass, as the Greek says they don't do everything but what they do they do superbly. They're excellent value for money too IMO. Like most basses the strings you use really affects them. I tried tapewounds and it killed the bass, it was just mud mud muddy mud. Roundwounds are good on them but flats are perfect on it for me. I never understood neck dove and so on because I have one hand on the neck while I'm playing and another arm over the body so it doesn't move anywhere I don't want it to, but understand it bothers other people. Buying the case separately is a ball ache, especially if left handed and you need the lefty case (seriously!!), But these need to be in a hard case. They look fantastic.

 

There's a good Anderson's video where they compare semi hollow basses and the JC wins. It's just a really good bass for traditional bass tones. 

[acidbass]

I love mine, it's a great vibe and look for acoustic/jazz gigs.  I have La Bella 760FS on mine and they are fantastic, although I have considered a slightly lighter gauge (760FL perhaps).  The tone is beaut!

[bassbiscuits]

Loved mine too - it was a Peerless-built Korean gold top JC from about 2007. 

 

The neck dive was pretty bad, as the combination of big hollow body, thick neck and big headstock dragged it down. But it played nicely, and the range of sounds was far more versatile than I'd expected. It was a great bass for the alt/acoustic trio I was in at the time, as well as the retro rock covers band I did.

 

I'm not a big bloke (5ft 9ish with shetland pony legs) and I found the JC to be huge! 

 

I only sold it really to finance another bass (my Mustang) and occasionally hanker after one still, but not enough for me to find a niche for it. 

 

[neepheid]

I'm on my third.  I've learned my lesson and stopped selling them.  The Epiphone Jack Casady is probably my favourite bass of all time.  It has attributes which technically should annoy me (brain dead bridge, only 20 frets), so for it to push itself to the front in spite of them should say something about how intangibly good I find them.  Sounds great, nice neck, light, fun with feedback if you want to explore that.

 

I play mine at any gig.  I don't pigeonhole basses into genres.  It gets played at rock gigs, or with my originals band which is kinda ska-ish.

 

They're not for everyone.  But you'll have to kill me to get my 20th Anniversary JC off me.  If I won the lottery, I'd collect for fins.  All the finishes.  I'd have a JC room.

[TheGreek]

So no definitive concensus...

 

Try one first. 

[neepheid]

10 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

So no definitive concensus...

 

Try one first. 

 

Same as it ever was

[neepheid]

What do you think of bass X?

 

They're great!

They're crap!

Meh.

Obliquely racist stuff about how the ones from a certain country are better than the current stuff made in a different country.

SUPERFANBOI SAYS BUY ONE NOW

 

Lather, rinse, repeat

[mario_buoninfante]

Never tried this bass (looks interesting for sure), but after reading all the comments about it feeling "weird" when standing up and about the neck dive issue, I thought I'd share something I did to my Spirit XT-2 bass.
I know it's a totally different bass and if there is one thing that's not a problem on it, is the neck dive issue (who knows why, right? ).

My issue with it was its position when standing up. it was pushing the neck quite far and that made it tricky to play in the lower register (1st-4th fret range), because the strap button is where usually other basses have neck bolts.
So, after reading few things online I (accidentally) came up with this solution, that I appreciate is not the most aesthetically pleasant (I'm defo a "functional" kind of person), but I'm sure somebody could embellish it and make it work for this and other basses too. I suppose it might help with the neck dive issue.
The good thing about this solution is that it doesn't require modifying the bass in any way.

 

Here's the thread
 

 

[Grahambythesea]

Mine is branded Peerless who are the Korean Company that made them originally for Epiphone before production moved to China. Superbly made and great sounding bass. I don’t seem to have the problems others mentioned, neck dive and twisting. However it does have a thick neck, a chunky feel that’s really different to my other basses.

[Cato]

I've come close to getting a pelham blue one.

 

Never played one but it's so pretty that if I didn't get on with it I could just frame it and hang it on a wall.

[JohnH89]

Absolutely love mine . I have had it for 4 years and it will go in the coffin with me when I croak . They do have their little weirdnesses but well worth the effort of putting up with . Hipshot ultralites on mine cos I had them sitting around and a supertone bridge from Hipshot cos I am not a fanboy of the Gibson 3 point bridge . Strung with Roto tapes and used for everything from folk to punk . A very versatile bass . Not much of a neckdiver but that doesn't bother me that much . With the strap button on the neck heel it can lean away from you , but a long strap and a slight change in technique fixed that . The button can be moved to the top horn with a little work . 

Buy one and be openminded and adaptable enough to appreciate it .

[Andy_L]

It's early days with mine, I've had it only a couple of weeks. I didn't like the sound much with the supplied roundwound strings, but with flats on it I'm much happier. 

I've found a couple of tones that I like, and the rest of the band have given it the thumbs up.

Plus in Pelham Blue it looks fantastic 

 

ETA I'm a big lump so the size isn't a problem 

Edited November 14, 2022 by Andy_L

[lidl e]

Love them. To me a top 5 bass.

 

There's a white one st my local shop that i pick up everytime im in. 

 

Just don't stand facing an 8x10 and turn the head on with a JC around your neck!

Edited November 15, 2022 by lidl e

[Grahambythesea]

14 hours ago, lidl e said:

Love them. To me a top 5 bass.

I didn’t know they made it as a 5 🤣

[JohnH89]

2 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

I didn’t know they made it as a 5 🤣

Thank the lord they didn't .🤭

[edstraker123]

Completely agree with TheGreek - bought it for looks but was completely underwhelmed.

I bought a used Aria Tab66 for a fraction of the price and it is so much better.

[msb]

I prefer shortscales , and there’s no shortage of short scale hollow bodies.  That said I’ve come * that close to buying one on several occasions. They sound good, and I don’t hear complaints about build quality. 
I prefer shortscales. I have too much stuff already , but if they did a shorty I’d probably break down and buy one.

[ChWillie]

I got a great deal on a new lefty JC today. I used to scoff at Chinese made instruments. Most of mine are Made in the US. But this will be my 3rd Chinese Epiphone—Casino, Explorer bass, and now the Jack Casady.  Should be in my hands in a week. Before switching to flats, I’m going to give it a go with the rounds.