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A More Ergonomic Jack Casady?

Gare Boo

Gare Boo

Jun 16, 2019
313
143
#1
I really like the Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass but the problem is the strap peg is located at the neck heel so there is always a bit of neck dive. So I guess what I am looking for is:

1. Semi-hollow
2. A Longer upper-horn(at least touches the 12th fret) for the strap
3. around 42mm nut width
4. Not a short scale
5. A satin finish neck will be a bonus but I can always sand it down

Thanks!

Link Removed
 
Last edited:
#2
I installed a Hipshot Supertone bridge and Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB350 tuning machines on my Casady and that resolved the neck dive issue I had with it. I also scuffed the back on the neck a bit with 0000 steel wool and an grey 3M pad to give the back of the neck a satin finish.

I played it that way for several years but eventually went to Hofner Ignition Club and Eastwood Club basses for a lighter, more comfortable and full hollowbody instrument.
 
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#3
I have one, too. Technically, a JC Bass isn't a semi-hollow body; although it's kinda close. If I drop a bug into one F-hole, and he can stroll over to - and out - the other F-hole without a problem? That makes it a hollow-body bass, in my book. And, the Stink Bug I dropped into my JC Bass, managed the trip without a problem...;) As for fixing the neck dive? Yeah, different tuners will definitely help. Moving the front strap pin will help a lot, too. A number of people have moved it to the front of the upper bout, but it requires either 1) wrestling a block of wood into that hard-to-reach spot inside the body; or 2) drilling a hole just large enough to stick the nozzle of a 2-part epoxy container (Loctite epoxy seems to be preferred); hanging to bass upside down, and pumping the epoxy into that upper bout; and, after it sets, installing the strap pin. Which is what I intend to do to mine - if I can find anybody around here that sells the darn stuff. I can get it from Amazon (of course), but... I don't really like dealing with them, if I can help it. Their drivers seem to be too lazy to walk up the sidewalk to my door. They'd rather just throw the box in some random neighbor's yard - and make me wander the neighborhood, begging for my package...:rollno:
 
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#4
GIBrat51 said:
I have one, too. Technically, a JC Bass isn't a semi-hollow body; although it's kinda close. If I drop a bug into one F-hole, and he can stroll over to - and out - the other F-hole without a problem? That makes it a hollow-body bass, in my book. And, the Stink Bug I dropped into my JC Bass, managed the trip without a problem...;) As for fixing the neck dive? Yeah, different tuners will definitely help. Moving the front strap pin will help a lot, too. A number of people have moved it to the front of the upper bout, but it requires either 1) wrestling a block of wood into that hard-to-reach spot inside the body; or 2) drilling a hole just large enough to stick the nozzle of a 2-part epoxy container (Loctite epoxy seems to be preferred); hanging to bass upside down, and pumping the epoxy into that upper bout; and, after it sets, installing the strap pin. Which is what I intend to do to mine - if I can find anybody around here that sells the darn stuff. I can get it from Amazon (of course), but... I don't really like dealing with them, if I can help it. Their drivers seem to be too lazy to walk up the sidewalk to my door. They'd rather just throw the box in some random neighbor's yard - and make me wander the neighborhood, begging for my package...:rollno:
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure JC is semi hollow because it has a center-block. Without the center-block it would be a fully hollow body
 
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#5
mongo2 said:
I installed a Hipshot Supertone bridge and Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB350 tuning machines on my Casady and that resolved the neck dive issue I had with it. I also scuffed the back on the neck a bit with 0000 steel wool and an grey 3M pad to give the back of the neck a satin finish.

I played it that way for several years but eventually went to Hofner Ignition Club and Eastwood Club basses for a lighter, more comfortable and full hollowbody instrument.
Click to expand...
I believe those are short-scale?
 
#7
Do you have a budget in mind? The closest I can think of is the Mensinger Joker, but you'll have to have one custom built which will be around $2000 (or more depending on your choices).
job220120.png


You can take a look at the configurator to see what options you have: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It only shows 38mm or 40mm as options for the nut width, but Mensinger/Maruszczyk are generally open to additional custom requests that aren't listed on the configurator.
 
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#9
who said:
Do you have a budget in mind? The closest I can think of is the Mensinger Joker, but you'll have to have one custom built which will be around $2000 (or more depending on your choices).
View attachment 5081504

You can take a look at the configurator to see what options you have: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It only shows 38mm or 40mm as options for the nut width, but Mensinger/Maruszczyk are generally open to additional custom requests that aren't listed on the configurator.
Click to expand...

What a coinkydink! That's MY BASS! Definitely semi-hollow and an awesome instrument! Be aware that the upper horn is longer on the 34 & 35" models. They also do 30 & 32". I'll be gigging it later today! As I recall, the D'Angelico single cut bass was full hollow.

The Bar Band Bassman

Mensinger.jpg
 
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#11
Gare Boo said:
I really like the Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass but the problem is the strap peg is located at the neck heel so there is always a bit of neck dive. So I guess what I am looking for is:

1. Semi-hollow
2. A Longer upper-horn(at least touches the 12th fret) for the strap
3. around 42mm nut width
4. Not a short scale
5. A satin finish neck will be a bonus but I can always sand it down

Thanks!

Link Removed
Click to expand...
If I could find one cheap, I'd just as soon rip the pickup/electronics out of it and try to put it in an FSO. The diveyness of the bass isn't really a factor to me, especially considering the JC's weight, but when I've tried them, the lack of contour on the body has been uncomfortable, particularly for my plucking arm.
 
#12
Gare Boo said:
I believe those are short-scale?
Click to expand...

Yes they are. The short scale makes them more comfortable for me to play. I've had a short scale in my stable since I started on bass over 50 years ago. My first shortscale was a Danelectro made Sears Silvertone Model 1444 from the early '60s. Nearly 20 years ago I shifted to playing mostly shortscales.
 
#14
Agree with @mongo2, those mods can be very beneficial in many ways. Take a look at the Epi Allen Woody RumbleKat. Short-scale with a smaller but decent body size and great tone. These are also often modded with a Supertone bridge and new tuners to make them even better.
 
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#18
oranje said:
Agree with @mongo2, those mods can be very beneficial in many ways. Take a look at the Epi Allen Woody RumbleKat. Short-scale with a smaller but decent body size and great tone. These are also often modded with a Supertone bridge and new tuners to make them even better.
Click to expand...
The cool thing about Casadys is they are available used for cheap. I bought a second one to modify.
I'm pretty used to the strap button on the heel, but I shaved the neck to 1.5" at the nut, reshaping the headstock to Gibson size/shape, and I'm putting small post tuners on it.
 

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