Was just wondering if anybody here plays a Jack Casady Epiphone bass and could give some input on string preferences. I just ordered one of these bad boys and wanted to get some advice as to the best gauge of strings (flats) to order. It comes with .045 - .065 - .080 - .105. I use heavier on my Fender Jazz Bass. Thanks! (sorry for the typos)
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Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Strings
- Thread starter cddave
- Start date
I had one of these for a while, sounded great with either Lo Riders or Flats (were Chromes I think). Really, really cool bass, enjoy!
Thanks ... can't wait to get my hands on this guitar. Had a hollow body back in the 70's with nylons playing in an acoustic folk-rock band and wish I'd never got rid of it ... going back to my roots so to speak.
The strings that come with the bass are Dean Markley
Blue Steel. This is what Jack personally uses on his. This is why the Epi comes with these strings. I've had my Epi since 2003 and have tried several other brands, but only come back to the Blue Steel's. I've talked to Jack about this and of course he said it's a matter of preference. Keep trying different strings until you find the right one for you, otherwise stay with the Blue Steel till you hit on something.
Blue Steel. This is what Jack personally uses on his. This is why the Epi comes with these strings. I've had my Epi since 2003 and have tried several other brands, but only come back to the Blue Steel's. I've talked to Jack about this and of course he said it's a matter of preference. Keep trying different strings until you find the right one for you, otherwise stay with the Blue Steel till you hit on something.
I wasn't a big fan of the stock strings, but I'm a flats guy. Therefore, my Casady has Labella Deep Talkin' Flats on it...and I like the sound.
Seconded on the TI flats. They have a surprising amount of brightness for flats, and are very easy to play. They really give the bass a P-like tone.
try some rotosound 99's
these are round wound piano strings.
what that means is, they have a bare core exposed which goes over the bridge. you actually have to put the ball on yourself after sizing up where your particular bridge falls
my son has a set of roto 99's on his Jack Casady and loves them. the sustain is magnificent.
these are round wound piano strings.
what that means is, they have a bare core exposed which goes over the bridge. you actually have to put the ball on yourself after sizing up where your particular bridge falls
my son has a set of roto 99's on his Jack Casady and loves them. the sustain is magnificent.
IME string choice makes a much bigger difference on the JC than on most other basses: It's a whole different beast with rounds and with flats. I wouldn't say either is "better," just very different. Flats really fill out the low-mids and turn it into a monstrous low-end groover, whereas rounds really bring out the juicy mids and upper-mids that it has to offer. For me the TI flats are a perfect compromise, and their low tension (relative to other flats) somehow seems to fit the feel and character of the bass. (Actually, I think the ideal would be to have two JCs, one strung with rounds and one with flats.)
So, assuming it arrives with the DM Blue Steels, don't be in a hurry to change them; it'll sound great. Then, consider trying the TI flats (or something else) later on when they need replacing, and you can decide which you like better. (And if you try the TIs and don't like them, I'll be happy to buy the slightly-used set from you!)
So, assuming it arrives with the DM Blue Steels, don't be in a hurry to change them; it'll sound great. Then, consider trying the TI flats (or something else) later on when they need replacing, and you can decide which you like better. (And if you try the TIs and don't like them, I'll be happy to buy the slightly-used set from you!)
BTW--
i think you are in for a treat, whatever strings you decide on.
that bass is amazing in terms of tone, and i don't really think you can go wrong with any set of good quality strings.
i know epiphone has the reputation of being gibson's little (and lesser) brother, but the Jack Casady is the top of their bass line and we have never been happier with a purchase.---
i think you are in for a treat, whatever strings you decide on.
that bass is amazing in terms of tone, and i don't really think you can go wrong with any set of good quality strings.
i know epiphone has the reputation of being gibson's little (and lesser) brother, but the Jack Casady is the top of their bass line and we have never been happier with a purchase.---
Just put on some SIT Silencers. I needed a little more tension for a project that tunes down to D and the TI's didn't cut it. I've also been curious about the Silencers so I can kill two birds.
La Bella 760 FL. Awesome tone live. Awesome tone recorded. You will be thrilled with that bass regardless. A tone machine.
Have any of you flat-wound fans encountered problems with the silk-wound portion of the strings extending to (or beyond) the crowns of the saddles on the Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass' bridge?
I'm aiming to get one of these instruments and string it with D'Addario ECB81 Chromes Bass, Light, 45-100, Long Scales straight off.
Thanks.
I'm aiming to get one of these instruments and string it with D'Addario ECB81 Chromes Bass, Light, 45-100, Long Scales straight off.
Thanks.
Just cut off the small rings of your old strings and put the new strings through these rings. First your problem is solved and second, the strings fit better on the JC bridge.
I had this problem years ago and bought one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300979352462
It's a stainless steel bar that nestles into the end of the bridge and acts like a spacer. They're sold by a guy named Evan Webb, who's a member of TB and pops up around here from time to time. Do a TB Google-search on "mod bar" and you'll find some old threads about it.
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+1 on Evan's bass bar mod. It even helps make the bass a bit more balanced.
+1 on TI Jazz Flats. I was surprised how "meaty" they made this bass sound. Moved it much closer to Jack's old Starfire sound. Set them up high, though.
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I've used Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats, 34 inch, and Pyramid Gold long scale flats on my Jack. Both are awesome on it, but I decided that my Hofner does the flats sound the best, and reverted to the Dean Markley Medium-Light Blue steels for the Jack.
If it was me I'd stick with that gauge and try some cobalt flats or nylon tapewounds. The dampener also helps give you the vintage sound. Let us know how you're getting on
