Hipshot bridge for Epiphone Jack Casady Bass - Page 2

Established1966 · #21 07-13-2011, 10:22 PM

I have a Jack Casady en route and I really dislike the 3 point Gibson bridge but was apprehensive about the Supertone.

Thank You so much for the pics and info! I'm definitely going to get one now...

davelowell2 · #22 08-09-2011, 06:59 PM

I have a Supertone coming for my Casady soon.

To the OP, where did you put the felt pads, on the bass or bridge? I can't tell from your picture.

I'll have to make my own pads, but no big deal. I have some sticky backed felt around here somewhere.

Thanks!

Wilson_D · #23 08-10-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davelowell2

I have a Supertone coming for my Casady soon.

To the OP, where did you put the felt pads, on the bass or bridge? I can't tell from your picture.

I'll have to make my own pads, but no big deal. I have some sticky backed felt around here somewhere.

Thanks!

Hipshot added them for me and they are attached to the bottom back edge of the bridge itself. Works like a charm.

Wilson

walbassist · #24 12-14-2011, 01:56 PM

Do you leave the metal ferrule for the front post in the body, for the Supertone to sit on?

Wilson_D · #25 12-17-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walbassist

Do you leave the metal ferrule for the front post in the body, for the Supertone to sit on?

Yes, the Supertone rests right on it and hides the ferrule.

vegas532 · #26 12-06-2012, 09:44 PM

I took the plunge and bought one of these. I installed it on my Casady and even though I've damned near maxed the string saddles upward, that bass is rattle city...almost completely unplayable!

Any recommendations?

96tbird · #27 12-06-2012, 10:38 PM

Shim it.

Bobster · #28 12-08-2012, 09:48 AM

vegas532,

How much bow do you have in your neck?

If it's backbowed, straight, or very nearly straight, loosen the truss to add some relief.

All the best,

Bob

doggo · #29 12-18-2012, 09:45 PM

I've got the silverburst JC. Got a black Supertone, put it on, took it right back off. After my bridge posts pulled out. Must've tightened it too much. Now I gotta fix the bridge posts. Bass is unusable. Also, the bridge was way too low. I like my action a little high, I'd have to shim, or otherwise rig it. Meh. I'll stick with the stock 3 point bridge. After I get the pins fixed. %$#@!

Also, FYI, Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB640s are way too big for the JC headstock.

Res-O-Lites by doggo, on Flickr

rockinrayduke · #30 12-18-2012, 11:48 PM

Don't panic, this is a common problem with a lot of the 3 point bridge basses. Happened on my JC and a T-Bird I had as well. The posts can be glued back in, let set overnight and you're good to start again. The Supertone would not adjust high enough? My experience with it was great.

vegas532 · #31 12-18-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockinrayduke

Don't panic, this is a common problem with a lot of the 3 point bridge basses. Happened on my JC and a T-Bird I had as well. The posts can be glued back in, let set overnight and you're good to start again. The Supertone would not adjust high enough? My experience with it was great.

I sent pics of my bass to Bill at Hipshot and apparently mine has a deeper arch than what he's used to seeing. So this could be a case of inconsistencies in Casady bass construction. They actually custom machined a spacer to add to my bridge which is en route to me now.

rockinrayduke · #32 12-19-2012, 02:29 AM

Oh, cool! Way to go. You'll like that bridge once you get it all back together.

doggo · #33 12-19-2012, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

I sent pics of my bass to Bill at Hipshot and apparently mine has a deeper arch than what he's used to seeing. So this could be a case of inconsistencies in Casady bass construction. They actually custom machined a spacer to add to my bridge which is en route to me now.

Hmm. This may be my issue too. Even the stock bridge has to be raised really high.

vegas532 · #34 01-30-2013, 07:41 PM

Just an update: In order for me to correctly install the Supertone on my Casady, some modifications had to be done. There are a pair of spacers under the rear mounting screws and a custom machined screw in the front hole to raise the bridge up. So basically the bridge is still "on stilts" to get it to work properly. Maurilio at Nordstrand Guitars did the modifications for me.

jeffbonny · #35 01-31-2013, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas532

Just an update: In order for me to correctly install the Supertone on my Casady, some modifications had to be done. There are a pair of spacers under the rear mounting screws and a custom machined screw in the front hole to raise the bridge up. So basically the bridge is still "on stilts" to get it to work properly. Maurilio at Nordstrand Guitars did the modifications for me.

You feel like there was much gained with the Hipshot? It looks great and the stock one is kinda cheesy but it hasn't pissed me off too much....yet. I'm still trying to sort out replacement vol/tone pots.

vegas532 · #36 01-31-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffbonny

You feel like there was much gained with the Hipshot? It looks great and the stock one is kinda cheesy but it hasn't pissed me off too much....yet. I'm still trying to sort out replacement vol/tone pots.

It's a vast improvement for adjustability but as far as tonally, the difference is marginal at best.

bassman10096 · #37 03-27-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

It's a vast improvement for adjustability but as far as tonally, the difference is marginal at best.

I'm always trying to improve on things that underperform. It's a compulsion. The Gibby three point is definitely one of those things (many experiences with the 3 pt would tell if you wanted to hear). On the other hand, I just acquired my second JC bass (I dumped the first years ago because of poor build quality) and I'm loving the sound, set up and playability. My compulsive nature is telling me to replace the three point bridge to with a Truetone (and I love Hipshot products). I've no doubt I can shim a True tone to its correct position. Again, the set up and action are great with the current Gibby 3 point (much better than my first JC). So it seems great the way it is. Nonetheless, I like this bass (a lot) and want to make it the best it can be.

Can someone tell me what advantage a TT really offers me?

bassman10096 · #38 04-05-2013, 10:52 PM

Tried the Supertone on a recently-acquired JC tonight. Installation was easy (if you understand how to get a three point Gibby bridge off without pulling the inserts out). I added two felt drawer bumpers (with stick'em on one side) to the bottom of the Hipshot. Seems like the felt pieces will prevent any wobble from left to right, but I think a mar at the front of the Hipshot is inevitable (probably wouldn't show if you reinstalled the original 3 point). The installation was easy - stupid easy.
My review: The Supertone is an enormous improvement over the Gibson 3 point in terms of fundamental tone, sustain, ease of intonation. String height adjustment - a little better but 3 point bridge is OK.
Here's the catch:The only thing I actually liked a bit better was that the 3 point bridge, strung with flats could pull off a really sweet, stringy sound. I'd say the 3 point bridge (with flats) sounded surprisingly like an upright bass, with the "reedy" sound Phil Lesh used to get with his Guild Starfire on the D and G strings. In comparison, the Supertone makes the bass sound less "hollowbodied" to my ears. I'm considering reinstalling and setting up the original bridge to get a better comparison.