Can a Casady solve my chambered consolidation conundrum?

[ryan morris]

Hey all.. I don't even know how many hollow and semi-hollow short scale basses I've owned and/or played over the last 4 years (made a few posts of the search early on), but here's where I'm at:

I'm looking for some opinions from those familiar with the JC, but some of the other hollow and semi-hollow offerings. I'm in a consolidating mood at the moment.. Looking to kind of be able to get my Hofner Club (thumpy plunky woody hollow) and Epiphone Rumblekat (growly woofy open rumble) tones into one bass with a slightly larger body (even better if I could get some of the punchiness of my Gibson LP JR DC). Asking for a lot, but it seems the Casady bass would be able to kind of do it all close enough in it's own unique way by changing how I play/approach. For those familiar the the JC, do you feel like the Casady could do it? The scale is a little off putting. For those of you switching back and forth between 30" and 34", how do you get along?

 

[sonic boogaloo]

i used to own an epiphone rivoli which i think is fairly similar to the epiphone casady and a harmony h22. just love semi-hollows for that 60s brit invasion sound. i've got a fano gf4 which really scratched that semi-hollow itch and more. sadly not in production anymore... it's a 34" scale and my other bass is a mustang. no problem switching between the two.

 

[ryan morris]

Maybe should add, I'm also super eyeing up the Epiphone EA-260. Never had a chance to play one, but it seems like that could really do the trick also, but something the Casady isn't 50 years old.. needing neck shims, having maxed out truss rods, and frets worn down to weird amounts.

 

[ryan morris]

i used to own an epiphone rivoli which i think is fairly similar to the epiphone casady and a harmony h22. just love semi-hollows for that 60s brit invasion sound. i've got a fano gf4 which really scratched that semi-hollow itch and more. sadly not in production anymore... it's a 34" scale and my other bass is a mustang. no problem switching between the two.

The Rivoli is a cool one for sure. I've only played a couple in shops. Both were heavy (9lbs.. one felt like it was pushing 10). I always thought I'd add another pu in the middle if I had it, but seems crazy to buy a bass for $1k just to chop into it. I've got a Gibson SG bass now (with a Dimarzio Model 1), so it would also feel a little redundant for that one, but I've eyed the Rivoli A LOT because it looks so cool. Especially in Natural!

Just looked up that Fano and WOW!!! Beautiful bass. I don't even want to look up soundclips of that one. Can't be tempted by another bass.

 

[John Stephen]

Hey all.. I don't even know how many hollow and semi-hollow short scale basses I've owned and/or played over the last 4 years (made a few posts of the search early on), but here's where I'm at:

I'm looking for some opinions from those familiar with the JC, but some of the other hollow and semi-hollow offerings. I'm in a consolidating mood at the moment.. Looking to kind of be able to get my Hofner Club (thumpy plunky woody hollow) and Epiphone Rumblekat (growly woofy open rumble) tones into one bass with a slightly larger body (even better if I could get some of the punchiness of my Gibson LP JR DC). Asking for a lot, but it seems the Casady bass would be able to kind of do it all close enough in it's own unique way by changing how I play/approach. For those familiar the the JC, do you feel like the Casady could do it? The scale is a little off putting. For those of you switching back and forth between 30" and 34", how do you get along?

To my ear, the Casady has the range of sounds you're looking for. But I'd caution you that the Casady doesn't have a "slightly" larger body. It has a "much" larger body. It may take you some time to get used to, if you're mainly used to playing your Hofner and Rumblekat. If you play sitting down, you'll have to get used to your right arm position getting over that big body (I'm assuming you're right handed). I haven't found any problem switching back and forth between scale lengths.

 

[jmlee]

I have an Epiphone Jack Casady and also a Guild Starfire II from 1971 and a Yamaha SA-70 from 1973. The latter two are short scale and both are rather big-bodied. The Starfire II is semi-hollow like the JC and the SA-70 is fully hollow. I also have a couple of Hofner-style violin-body basses. The Casady is a *wonderful* instrument with a wide range of tones. If you put classic steel flats on it (Labella, GHS), you can indeed get quite a significant punch, the mid-forward character depending on how you set your rotating impedance switch. Right now I have D'Addario black tapewounds on mine and it gives a well-defined, warm character which well-suits jazz or Americana/country/rootsy stuff. As noted above, the JC's body is really quite big, especially the lower bout with its sharp edge. Every time I play it sitting or on a relatively short strap, it takes some getting used to--but after a short while I really don't notice it and just enjoy. Jack plays his basses so low that the top edge really isn't a factor. As you can see from the second image, I keep mine much higher so that comfort factor is more significant. Jack's also a smaller guy while I'm six feet and a couple of hundred pounds.

 

[ryan morris]

To my ear, the Casady has the range of sounds you're looking for. But I'd caution you that the Casady doesn't have a "slightly" larger body. It has a "much" larger body. It may take you some time to get used to, if you're mainly used to playing your Hofner and Rumblekat. If you play sitting down, you'll have to get used to your right arm position getting over that big body (I'm assuming you're right handed). I haven't found any problem switching back and forth between scale lengths.

This is great to hear regarding tone! My favorite shaped bass was the Hofner Verythin. The size and thickness are a perfect combo for me, just didn't quite get the tone I was looking for. This bass seems like that, just thicker. I also really liked the Hofner President I tried, which is as thick as any AEB I've tried. But I do know there exists a middle-ground thickness and size that can be quite awkward. I do enjoy the feel of the Hagstrom Viking bass though, so maybe it can work. About to go check one out.

 

[John Stephen]

Good luck with it.

 

[ryan morris]

I have an Epiphone Jack Casady and also a Guild Starfire II from 1971 and a Yamaha SA-70 from 1973. The latter two are short scale and both are rather big-bodied. The Starfire II is semi-hollow like the JC and the SA-70 is fully hollow. I also have a couple of Hofner-style violin-body basses. The Casady is a *wonderful* instrument with a wide range of tones. If you put classic steel flats on it (Labella, GHS), you can indeed get quite a significant punch, the mid-forward character depending on how you set your rotating impedance switch. Right now I have D'Addario black tapewounds on mine and it gives a well-defined, warm character which well-suits jazz or Americana/country/rootsy stuff. As noted above, the JC's body is really quite big, especially the lower bout with its sharp edge. Every time I play it sitting or on a relatively short strap, it takes some getting used to--but after a short while I really don't notice it and just enjoy. Jack plays his basses so low that the top edge really isn't a factor. As you can see from the second image, I keep mine much higher so that comfort factor is more significant.

View attachment 7272678

The SA70 is an awesome bass from what I've seen and heard. Never came across one in the wild.
Had a Newark Starfire II. Really nice bass for sure. Love Bisonics in the middle position the most though.

Great to hear about the tones. I was thinking about some good bright steel flats for this bass, but tapes have always interested me too.
I understand what you mean about the sharp edges of those basses though. I only had a chance to play one acoustically for a couple minutes years back. About to go check one out today. I will say, the Gibson Les Paul Junior DC is a very small body, but also quite uncomfortable for me. Something about the way my arm sits on a larger body is usually quite nice. But, I'm 6'5", and lanky as all get out, so maybe that helps.

 

[scuzzy]

I really like my Casady, but I don't find it sounds much like a full hollow. It leans more towards the solid body sound, though not all the way there. I absolutely love hollow and semi-hollow basses. Quite versatile with the impedance switch. I can't decide if I wanna go flats on it or back to rounds.

I would say the Casady can sound closer to the other two than the others can. It's certainly more versatile.

 

[ryan morris]

Sat with the Casady for at least half an hour in GC. It's a nice bass, no denying that. Great looks! Played through a Rumble 200 set flat. Very very nice tones in there. Had some middle of life round wounds.. Probably closest to the LP JR DC (with middle of life nickel rounds), squeezing some of the Rumblekat out (LaBella DTF). Not exactly in the plunky fully hollow Hofner Club (GHS Flats) territory. Would want to put it through the paces with some LaBellas and see if it could lean more into the Rumblekat and Hofner territory. Record with it a bit.. Might pick one up. Super deal nearby that has me tempted to at least bring one home for a bit. The only uncomfortable thing I felt was the stretch back for palm muting with a pick.. a little unbalanced sitting. In comparison, my Rumblekat saw a nice improvement in that category when I added Gotoh Resolites on there. Either way, there are enough around that if the two I have my eye on go, I could always pick up another.

 

[John Stephen]

Well, it's good you were able to try one out. Now you know how it feels and how it sounds. As for balance, I'm able to get mine perfectly balanced by positioning the big end of the body farther to the right than I ordinarily would (this is when playing sitting down). There's a point where mine balances perfectly that way -- I can take both hands off it and it doesn't move.

 

[GypsyBilly]

I have a Reverend Dub King - short scale, chambered with an f hole, wearing flats, and an Epiphone Zenith with black tape wounds. The Zenith is chambered, but also heavy as all get out. The piezo + humbucker give it a unique sound though. I also have a '73 Hofner 500/1, so that's all the hollow/semi-hollow bodies in my collection. I've thought about getting a Club Bass, but I already have way too many. I can't see parting with any at the moment, except the Landscape which is up for sale.

 

[mikeynets]

I have a Reverend Dub King - short scale, chambered with an f hole, wearing flats, and an Epiphone Zenith with black tape wounds. The Zenith is chambered, but also heavy as all get out. The piezo + humbucker give it a unique sound though. I also have a '73 Hofner 500/1, so that's all the hollow/semi-hollow bodies in my collection. I've thought about getting a Club Bass, but I already have way too many. I can't see parting with any at the moment, except the Landscape which is up for sale.

Can you compare the Dub King to the Zenith — and any other semi or full hollow basses? I really like the looks and demos I've seen of the Dub King, but I feel like it's only getting a little of the woody, hollow body vibe.

 

[Ostie]

I have an Allen Woody, Jack Casady and a Hofner Club. The two Epiphones are my go to basses. They sound nothing like the Hofner. I love the short scale of the Woody but the JC has THE TONE. I'm looking to sell the Hofner but I would never sell the JC or the Woody.

 

[sunbeast]

Sat with the Casady for at least half an hour in GC. It's a nice bass, no denying that. Great looks! Played through a Rumble 200 set flat. Very very nice tones in there. Had some middle of life round wounds.. Probably closest to the LP JR DC (with middle of life nickel rounds), squeezing some of the Rumblekat out (LaBella DTF). Not exactly in the plunky fully hollow Hofner Club (GHS Flats) territory. Would want to put it through the paces with some LaBellas and see if it could lean more into the Rumblekat and Hofner territory. Record with it a bit.. Might pick one up. Super deal nearby that has me tempted to at least bring one home for a bit. The only uncomfortable thing I felt was the stretch back for palm muting with a pick.. a little unbalanced sitting. In comparison, my Rumblekat saw a nice improvement in that category when I added Gotoh Resolites on there. Either way, there are enough around that if the two I have my eye on go, I could always pick up another.

I see you got a chance to play one- I was going to say that IME no it doesn't really do that Hofner thing natively. The JC has a lot more sustain and punch with a nice midrange woodiness. As another poster says I think it tonally has more of a solid-body vibe on the scale of sounds but with some added sweetness. They are great basses but not really on that full hollow "plunk" thing

 

[BassBrass]

I have a Cassady and a Dub King, don't know the Zenith (also have an Alan Woody) The first two have Cobalt Flats and the Dub King with it's spruce top is definitely the most woody sounding bass I have. I pick it up for that reason. With regular flats or rounds not as much. The Casady is, to me, like a super enhanced P bass with a hollow body envelope. The Woody needs nickel round wound to hear it's beautiful mid range.

 

[bassfran]

I pulled out my wife's JC the other day since it hadn't gotten its seasonal truss rod adjustment and once-over. I got the action back in shape and took it for a spin through my customary rig and was pretty surprised at the output of the thing. I had to back off the input gain and master by a good 20% at least on my amp compared to my gigging basses. I was also reminded how big the body is- huge, IMO but at 6',5" I imagine you'll be fine. Fit and finish are excellent.

Great, punchy full sound and I'd love to record some driving pick playing with it sometime. I don't gig it so can't speak to switching scale lengths but that stuff doesn't bother me too much in general.

I've owned (and still own) a number of hollows/semi/etc. and think these are a good value. The build quality on hers is very good and my only complaint is it's too big for me. Ha!

 

[BadMonk]

I used to play two days on full scale, two days on medium and two days on short scale. I eventually got tired of the changes. So I sold the 34s, kept one medium scale, and all the ss. Adjusting between medium and short scale is easier for me.

 

[MdC64]

The Woody needs nickel round wound to hear its beautiful mid range.

What rounds do you use on the Allen Woody? Thanks.