Epiphone Jack Casady model Bass

[targa911S]

Most here know I play old Thunderbirds, but lately I have been looking at these basses as a diversion from the huge sound the Birds make. Anybody using one of these?



Do you like it?

[slakjaw]

Interesting.. is the sound similar to a guild starfire??

[nostatic]

the term "mud fart" comes to mind

[Gogar]

When I think of Jack Casady, "kickass tone" doesn't come to mind. I'm sure it's a pretty nice bass, though. I wonder what the chicken knob is for.

[targa911S]

This is not lookin' good. The chicken head knob is to vary the impedance of the single pick up. I agree with the "Jack has no tone" thing. I'm really looking at it as a knock around guitar to play around the house/practice stuff. My acoustic bass is big and clunky.

[ramonesfreak]

reviews are all over the board for that thing.. i always loved that shape and im a big fan of jack cassady but i wouldnt take an epiphone instrument even if it was free. ide rather save for a guild starfire bass

i dont own the epi though so im being unfair, its just of those i had in the past, the fit and finish and electronics are awful

[targa911S]

Yeah I know. I've read mixed reviews too most by non-pros. I may be fooling myself into thinking I want this. How much does the Guild cost?

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by nostatic

the term "mud fart" comes to mind

As opposed to "mud shark"...

I played one of these, and it's a turd. (a nice shiny turd, but a turd). Imagine singing while pinching your nose shut. I've played Teiscos and old Kays that sound MUCH better. (so now you know what I think of this one)

What type of tone ya' lookin' for? A few years back I was going to buy a "knockabout bass" to take on a cruise ship that I would not be mad if it was damaged/stolen. I went for something WAY different than I ever had and got one of those cheesy Danelecto Longhorn reissues for about $150/new. Nothing fancy, short scale, 3 oct. neck, and DAMN...that little beast had all sorts of tone! I even played it for a while with the big band before I went back to my Pedulla. No adjusting of the bridge (except for toothpicks), banjo tuners, cheap formica body with tape as trim, but now they have better hardware.

I did play a nice dark mahogany Martin acoustic/electric @ Gruhn's in Nashville the last time I was there. I'd also like to try one of those metal-topped "Dobro-lookin'" rigs as well.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by srandallf

...and im a big fan of jack cassady....

"If you don't know Jorma, you don't know jack ...". Man those guys are still having a blast playing together after all these years and I try to catch them every time they come through the area. Acoustic, electric, or a "one set of each" show, I've yet to seen a bad one yet, and they're just consumate professionals imo.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Yeah I know. I've read mixed reviews too most by non-pros. I may be fooling myself into thinking I want this. How much does the Guild cost?

i believe they stopped making them in 1977, so - vintage prices

i dont play bass, i play guitar, but may i ask why you want something particular for "around the house" playing? the Gibson is too heavy?

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by KC911

"If you don't know Jorma, you don't know jack ...". Man those guys are still having a blast playing together after all these years and I try to catch them every time they come through the area. Acoustic, electric, or a "one set of each" show, I've yet to seen a bad one yet, and they're just consumate professionals imo.

saw Jorma not long ago. enjoyed it very much. Ive seen the original jefferson airplane lineup during a reunion tour back in the mid 1980's but have never seen hot tuna

there is a nice audio interview with Jorma on the NPR website if your interested

[KFC911]

Jorma & Jack have long since given up their "rock stars status" of the 60s, and you really should check out a Hot Tuna show if you liked Jorma solo. They simply have a ball playing the HT bluesier stuff, and it really comes across when they're performing .

[targa911S]

Well I'm looking at semi hollow body basses. I can play around the house sans amp, and use it in a live situation as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my old Birds but they don't make much noise sans amp. Plus it's like walking around the house with an aircraft carrier around your neck. Ya might as well strap on a bar stool. I like long scale basses and I have always wanted a long horn but it's not a semi. The Gibson EB's are WAY out of my price range but that would be the ultimate one in my book. Never owned any semis so I'm asking ya'll as this is uncharted area for me. The Casady model seemed to fit the niche but if it's a POS then I'm not spending the 5 Franklins for one.

[ramonesfreak]

well for what your looking for, the epi is probably fine. in my opinion, they tend to play fine...as in - the intonation is ok and the fret work is usually ok... the electronics are usually junk and for serious playing would need replacing....the finish is usually ok but youll likely find defects in the clear coat that would annoy you if it were a gibson

i say go play one

[nostatic]

$500 for that?!?

Send me the money and I'll come over and make atonal thumping noises when you move your fingers...I'm all about simulation these days.

[ramonesfreak]

harmony central reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Epiphone/Jack+Casady+Signature/10/1

people seem to really love this bass
?

[targa911S]

I have played the Epi Thunderbirds and they are not even close to the old ones. Even the "upgraded" ones with the neck through are crap really. Even the new T-Birds from Gibson are not the same. I had a factory mistake 3 pick up T-bird that was the calendar guitar for a while but I even sold that as it just wasn't the same as my vintage ones. I want to go play the Casady, but here in tractorfordchevyville nobody has one in stock. I even tried over in Youngstown at guitar center (barf) and they don't have one either.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by nostatic

$500 for that?!?

Send me the money and I'll come over and make atonal thumping noises when you move your fingers...I'm all about simulation these days.

List is $1300.00 you believe that!

[nostatic]

HC reviews are worth what you pay for them. Many there wouldn't know a good instrument if it hit them upside the head. As far as I can tell mostly kids who don't know any better, gear heads who either won't diss something they just paid money for or want to slag something they don't actually own, and maybe a few people who actually know anything.

The only way to know is plug it in and play it. While I've gotten lucky once or twice buying sight unseen (my Martin OM-21 was an eBay purchase that I'll never sell), in general I won't buy something I can't play.

[targa911S]

I really would like an EB bass but sweet Jesus they are $2large..and UP.