Can a Casady solve my chambered consolidation conundrum?

[BassBrass]

What rounds do you use on the Woody? Thanks.

D'Addario nickel light 45-100 short scale. Previously a 104 E got stuck in the bridge and I had to do, like, surgery. I would like to try DR High Beams steel, but not looking forward to a change. It was my first short scale over 10 years ago bought because I like that shape. Really unique PU placement and tone. (now I have 5 under 34s including Squirt Paranormal Rascal (love) and a DE Longhorn, Korea. thinking of selling the Guild Starfire II, newish, China, I think. It's just redundant)
Funny thing about the Jack Cassady, I always seem to write a new song or part when I pick it up. And it has the simplicity of an old VW Beetle, with just 3 knobs.

 

[sunbeast]

D'Addario nickel light 45-100 short scale. Previously a 104 E got stuck in the bridge and I had to do like, surgery. I would like to try DR High Beams steel, but not looking forward to a change. It was my first short scale over 10 years ago bought because I like that shape. Really unique PU placement and tone. (now I have 5 under 34s including Squirt Paranormal Rascal and a DE Longhorn, Korea. thinking of selling the Guild Starfire II)

I had an Allen Woody for a bit and really liked the stock rounds on it (I bought it used and the previous owner had Rotosound flats on it, but included the original strings in the case which I put on almost immediately as I missed the sweetness of the round tone I had heard when playing one in a store). I've never been able to figure out what the original strings were, probably just some cheap generic stuff wound in Asia somewhere but they really played and sounded nice on that bass. Stringjoy makes a really nice short-scale nickel roundwound too, probably my favorite short-scale roundwound these days with more bite to my ears than the typical D'addario nickels

 

[MdC64]

D'Addario nickel light 45-100 short scale. Previously a 104 E got stuck in the bridge and I had to do, like, surgery. I would like to try DR High Beams steel, but not looking forward to a change. It was my first short scale over 10 years ago bought because I like that shape. Really unique PU placement and tone. (now I have 5 under 34s including Squirt Paranormal Rascal (love) and a DE Longhorn, Korea. thinking of selling the Guild Starfire II, newish, China, I think. It's just redundant)
Funny thing about the Jack Cassady, I always seem to write a new song or part when I pick it up. And it has the simplicity of an old VW Beetle, with just 3 knobs.

Thanks for the detailed response.
The Rumblekat is my first short scale. I have 34" Fender P and J basses as well as a Jack Casady.
I've had the Woody for almost a couple weeks. I purchased used but in like new condition. The PO had D'Addario SS XL nickel rounds 45-130 since January. He included a new pack of SS D'Addario Chromes which I put on the next day after receiving the bass (I usually change strings if I buy used). They sound great. After reading your comment about nickel rounds I was curious.
It's cool that your strings are similar to what the PO was using.
I really like the Rumblekat. It's a great bass. Last weekend I played a couple shows with it and it did the job very well.

 

[ad9000]

I had a Casady for a short time and liked it, but sound wise it was closer to a solid body than any of the other hollowbodies I owned, so I didn't keep it for long. My favorite was actually the original 34" scale Lakland Hollowbody. I really like the Hofner Verythin and Guild Starfire too.

 

[Barton Lee]

I had a newer Guild Starfire II for a few years, then bought a Cassidy and sold the Guild, preferring the Epiphone. Last year, I picked up a Hofner Verythin and prefer it to the other two. They're all great basses and values though. Just my personal preference.

 

[Freekmagnet]

I had a JC for a while, and TBH, I didn't really get that semi-hollow satisfaction out of it. Aside from looks, it doesn't really have that kinda vibe. Despite this, JC is a great-sounding instrument. However, I felt like it didn't sound different enough from say, a PBass, to deal with how unwieldy it is. I sold mine off a while back.

If you tried one in GC and you liked it, then I don't see a problem with getting one.

 

[ryan morris]

Regarding the rounds on the Woody; I actually really like ONE set of nickel rounds I have.. and I think they were the stock rounds, but I moved them to the Gibson Les Paul JR DC, and they are perfect on that bass. Really would like to know what they were.. Sunbeast, I might have to try those Stringjoy nickel rounds! I recently got some GHS Pressure wounds for the Rumblekat and it just wasn't delivering the punch I was looking for.. also VERY light. Have some really heavy Daddario rounds that feel like they suck all the woof and growl out of the bass. So, sticking with the LaBellas for now. (maybe need to move this bit of the convo to strings.. because I'm really curious what (I'm assuming are) the stock rounds are.

Regarding picking up the Jack Casady, I'm so tempted (especially with great deal of two locally on Marketplace), but I really only see it unseating the Les Paul JR DC and I think I love that weird little bass. Do I really want to let it go.. and do I really need another bass? ha. Like after I played the Casady at GC yesterday, I came home and felt like I had to apologize to all of my basses for considering getting rid of any of them. They all do their own thing so well. Played the LP JR DC for a couple hours and I really love the thick snappy P bass-esque tones and how the faded finish is worn in from me (and how it matches the SG faded bass and guitar I have). Still, for the price, seems like I could pick up the JC just to try out for the rest of the summer and let it go without a loss if needed. The one I tried at GC had a loose 3 way switch, that would slip past 500. Not the worst, but wondering if that's a common problem on these?

 

[GypsyBilly]

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.

The Dub King came to me with DA chromes so it has that thumpy sound, but at the same time, you can get a very bright edge to the thump - I think it's the humbucker PU. Every time I pick it up I wish I played it more often (and I like short scale basses). The Zenith (34") can actually sound fairly acoustic-like with the piezo & humbucker pickups, but it too has tapes on it, so that affects it a lot. I was looking for a fretless Zenith but didn't pull the trigger on the rare one that came up - if I could trade my zenith for the identical fretless, I would.

 

[ryan morris]

Update: Picked up a 20 year old MIK Gold Casady. It's nice.. (needed a new tone pot and 3 way switch, put a new bridge on it.. set it up with the old rounds on it.. looks great and sounds really nice).. BUT, I made the mistake of stopping into Chicago Music Exchange and fell in love with a Gibson Ripper The body shape and thickness was PERFECTION for me. Tone; YES!

So.. I might be moving this and the LP JR DC out to make funds for the Ripper.. but really want a custom 32" custom Ripper bass.. (if anyone here wants to take on that project, hit me up).

Before I move this Casady along, I might make some bass comparison sound demos of the basses currently in my room.

 

[Engle]

Regarding the rounds on the Woody; I actually really like ONE set of nickel rounds I have.. and I think they were the stock rounds, but I moved them to the Gibson Les Paul JR DC, and they are perfect on that bass. Really would like to know what they were.. Sunbeast, I might have to try those Stringjoy nickel rounds! I recently got some GHS Pressure wounds for the Rumblekat and it just wasn't delivering the punch I was looking for.. also VERY light. Have some really heavy Daddario rounds that feel like they suck all the woof and growl out of the bass. So, sticking with the LaBellas for now. (maybe need to move this bit of the convo to strings.. because I'm really curious what (I'm assuming are) the stock rounds are.

Regarding picking up the Jack Casady, I'm so tempted (especially with great deal of two locally on Marketplace), but I really only see it unseating the Les Paul JR DC and I think I love that weird little bass. Do I really want to let it go.. and do I really need another bass? ha. Like after I played the Casady at GC yesterday, I came home and felt like I had to apologize to all of my basses for considering getting rid of any of them. They all do their own thing so well. Played the LP JR DC for a couple hours and I really love the thick snappy P bass-esque tones and how the faded finish is worn in from me (and how it matches the SG faded bass and guitar I have). Still, for the price, seems like I could pick up the JC just to try out for the rest of the summer and let it go without a loss if needed. The one I tried at GC had a loose 3 way switch, that would slip past 500. Not the worst, but wondering if that's a common problem on these?

Yes the loose switch is common. It's an easy fix.
Sounds like you should get a Casady next time a deal comes up.
Edit, just saw you got a Goldtop. Keep it and the DC. Also get a Ripper!
I have all three and they are all keepers!

 

[jd56hawk]

I like the Jack Casady bass, but I wouldn't trade this for two JCs.

 

[John Stephen]

Why? What's so good about it?

 

[jd56hawk]

Something simply feels 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 about it.
Every time I plug it in, I'm once again amazed at how good it sounds...and my other Jazz bass is a MIJ Bacchus Custom so...
I'm not a pickup expert, but the Wilkinson pickups really get the job done...no 60-cycle hum that I'm aware of.
I saw one Imola once ten years ago at Guitar Center, never saw another one hanging up anywhere, and only saw one Imola with this finish once before, but it's special in more ways than one.
I sold eight basses last September, but kept this one.
Must be a reason.