Epiphone Jack Casady Disappointment.

[Dana R Gregory]

I had a JC in white that I bought new at GC in 2015. I had it for a year and had no problems with it. Sounded great and the neck was very comfortable to play. I sold it because I prefer a solid body over semi hollow. The solid is more comfortable to play. I believe that production was originally in Korea and the QC was good and now they are made in China and the QC is not so good.

 

[fishdreams]

I love them. Sorry you had to go through that. That said, those seem fixable issues to me, that can happen on any bass. I also think that the crappy bridge is essential to the tone, the (much higher quality) hipshot replacement bridge I had on mine for a while changed the tone more to a generic bass tone and that is not what I love the JC for.

It has a GREAT tone, that sits in any mix in its own but very useful way. To me, the best bass guitar tone you can buy in a factory made passive fretted bass guitar under $1000. Yes its quirky and kinda unwieldy, but still.

I sold mine (A really good one too) and now wish I hadn't.

 

[Maestro29]

Hmmm..... a bass hanging on the wall at GC with issues............. par for the course.
Were the strings a quarter mile off of the fretboard too?

Haha not bad, but there was a Fender Jazz Plus that had a neck like a bow and arrow.

 

[Ric5]

I like theses a lot … except they only have 4 strings

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[lermgalieu]

I used to own a gold one (which was stolen), but I never had any of these issues with it - even recorded an album with it. Plus I seem to recall getting it for like $450 back in the day (early 2000's).

 

[4001]

Haha not bad, but there was a Fender Jazz Plus that had a neck like a bow and arrow.

No surprise...
I did an investigative report on that kind of problem a few years ago... I guess nothing has changed..
GC QC

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Fishdreams:
"I love them. Sorry you had to go through that. That said, those seem fixable issues to me, that can happen on any bass. I also think that the crappy bridge is essential to the tone, the (much higher quality) hipshot replacement bridge I had on mine for a while changed the tone more to a generic bass tone and that is not what I love the JC for".

This is exactly that I think. I've had my JC bass for 20 years. I put on a fancy, expensive, bridge and noticed the same tone change. I took it off after a month, and got my beautiful JC tone back. The original bridges are also much easier to use when re-stringing, and when setting up the action due to seasonal changes.

 

[Hounddog409]

I had similar experience with Epiphone.
Purchased brand new Rumblekat. About 10 days later tone knob stopped working. Tried spray with no effect..
What should I do? Got me a new pot, solder it and be done with it..
Three point bridge was expected. Now after bridge replacement and pot fixed, it plays super fine. I am surprised every time I take it in my hands how good feels and how great sounds.
I don't think I will buy another Epiphone. But, if I would, I will check hardware, pots and switches first. However, For $800 I've got MIJ Precision, which does not require anything and it's class act itself about beauty and quality.

I bought a MIM Jazz and within six months had to replace both volume and tone pots, input Jack, and both pickups. That's putting over 200 dollars to a bass that cost 700. Not impressed with Fender at all.

I bought a Epiphone Vintage Pro TBird awhile back and it quickly became my main player
Havent had to replace or fix anything. The quality of This bass is outstanding. Better than basses costing much more.

 

[Ostie]

A few years ago when I saw The Producers (80s power pop band and highly underrated) the bassist was playing the Jack Casady. I asked him about it during the meet & greet, and he couldn't stop raving about how great it was, and how he knew when he first played it that it was for him.

If you get a new bass and QC is disappointing, it's your right to get it corrected. Talk to the store, then talk to the manufacturer. Explain what's wrong. Get one ordered from the company; that's what I've done with a few of mine, or ask for one in the back stockroom.

When you purchase a "new" bass hanging on the wall at any store, it ain't actually a new bass, and you don't know who's been playing/abusing it. I wish store policies were that items on the wall are specifically not for sale but they'll run to the back and get a fresh one, or order you one, and then at certain times the wall models are sold with a hefty discount… but this is why my bass store would be out of business in three months.

Of course, it could be that Gibson's QC policies have filtered down to Epiphone, which would be a shame.

I was a fan of the Producers back in the eighties.

I bought a gold top JC a few months ago and have no complaints. But it was used so I have no idea if it had any of the issues the OP had. I’ll just say that I love it and will never part with it.

 

[Engle]

I like my Casady. I have fixed a few things, but I still feel like it is a really good value:

I replaced the output jack because it was a little flimsy.
The impedance control was loose, so I tightened it.
The pickup adjustment screws used to back out. I applied a little locktite.
I upgraded the tuners to Hipshot ultralights.

IMO these are minor issues for a bass that sounds, looks and feels that good for less than $1000. (Including the tuners)

My Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro is just as good. One day I’ll replace the tuners on it.

 

[Iristone]

I like theses a lot … except they only have 4 strings

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Try the Gibson one, it's even better once you get used to the short scale.

 

[Border]

I bought a gold top Jack Casady several years ago from GC. First bass I ever bought without playing first. Took a little getting used to, and changes to th eq on m amp. I have been very happy with it, and it seems well made. Recently put EB Cobalt flats on it and couldn't be happier. Smooth under my fingers and tone for days. Best of luck with your search.

 

[MynameisMe]

I have a gold one, an 02. Plays and sounds great! I bought the hard case from Sweetwater for protection.
It's my wife's favorite for me to play.
I prefer my P Bass.
Besides some minor adjustments, no issues.

 

[StatesideRambler]

I’ve had my JCB 2-1/2 years and it’s been as close to flawless as any bass I’ve ever owned. I’ve never expected perfection in a low-mid priced instrument (I’ve had a few; I’m not a boutique kind of guy) and I’ve never been shy about fixing minor flaws myself.

 

[Ric5]

Try the Gibson one, it's even better once you get used to the short scale.

I agree

 

[bassclef112]

I bought a white one off ebay some years ago, at an irresistable price. It came in the original sealed box. I figured it was a second. Went over it top to bottom and all I found was the inside edges of the f-holes weren't completely black. I took a felt tip and finished the job.

Out of the box and started tuning it, kept going flat. I look back and the bridge was pulling out - not uncommon, but I'm not much for 3 points and put on a Hipshot bridge and matching black tuners. I haven't had any of the electronics issues mentioned (knock wood). Clearly not that uncommon. I can say I treat it gingerly and continue to hope for the best!

It's currently strung with LaBella tapewounds that suit it well. Great neck and solid tone. I like taking it out for something completely different from my typical gear.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I bought my Jackbass in December of 2000, and it was delivered about two weeks later.

Mine is a 1999 model made in Korea.

I had no problems with mine until about 2014, when the output jack went, the varitone switch mostly stopped working, and the volume pot began to spin all at the same time.

Played it without plugging it in until I got it repaired and set up two years ago.

I guess all bass models have a weak point, and the varitones and output jacks are the weak points on Jack Casady basses.

I love the sound and looks of the Jackbass; always have.

I was never tempted to change the bridge, as I like the look of the three point bridge, and the fact that it limits the sustain. I like the bass' woody, open sound.

Good luck to others who have had problems.

My advice, if I may offer it: If you really like a particular instrument, get whatever needs to be done to make it as close to perfect as possible, and never sell it.

Mine below.

 

[Gee Man]

I've got a 20th Anniversary JCB that I bought through Sweetwater, obviously without playing first, and have had no such issues, thankfully. I did have a set of Gotoh Res-O-Lites installed to balance it out better, and while it was at the luthiers, had a bone nut installed as well. Running LaBella DTFs it is a dream to play and sounds kick ass in a rock and roll setting. I also love that I can push the top into relatively controlled feedback when I want to. And its light, relatively speaking. If you dig the bass but for the issues you've experienced, as others have said, simple problems to rectify.

 

[fishdreams]

I just have to wonder what it can do thsy other basses can't.
Are you saying nothing can sound like one?
Naturally, I've played them, several...I try out between 50 to 60 basses a year, quite a few Epiphones and a number of hollow or semi-hollow basses, but I've never been wowed by a JC.
Strings maybe?

It is the low impedance pickup in combination with a 3 step passive transformer ( not quite a varitone switch, in fact) to boost the pickup,which gives that wonderfully transparent tone in the 0k setting that at the same time is beefy and loud enough to bring an amp or pedal board to life. At the same time, the 500k setting gives you your pbass on steroids.

For me it worked with any type of strings. And I haven't seen another production bass that has that kind of tonal transparency built in.

 

[jd56hawk]

It is the low impedance pickup in combination with a 3 step passive transformer ( not quite a varitone switch, in fact) to boost the pickup,which gives that wonderfully transparent tone in the 0k setting that at the same time is beefy and loud enough to bring an amp or pedal board to life. At the same time, the 500k setting gives you your pbass on steroids.

For me it worked with any type of strings. And I haven't seen another production bass that has that kind of tonal transparency built in.

Maybe I need to try one out back to back against my L2000 or Thundergun.
It's probably been over a year since I picked one up...although I'm pretty sure the last time I did play one it was through my amp.