Epiphone Jack Casady Really is All That

The bass solo at 3:15 sold me. I actually heard it first in iTunes on the Best of Hot Tuna album. It's a bit different and moves from sounding like an upright to that P Bass tone to a nice OD growl. Amazing stuff...

 

Anyone want to check out an original old Gibson Les Paul Signature (the "proto-Jack") - I got one: NBD almost....

 

Not bad at all, but honestly, I think he's done better.
(not the JC, one of its legendary predecessors)
(on the JC like 39 years later still cooking with fire!)

 

Of course, the truly amazing thing is that he riffs about like that pretty much every time they play. A true living legend.

 

When I saw them a couple of years ago, Ray was playing a black JC, so he must really like that model!

 

Finally got to play my new JC20 with the band last night. I don't know if its possible, but I love this thing even more now. The low end is to die for.

 

I only had a few minutes to play this one today, but I wanted to share a couple of photos. I’ll do a NBD whe I’ve had additional time to play it. I think someone here suggested buying the case... good advice.

 

Ow, ow, ow! I have GAS pains for the 20th Anniversary JCB but I have a year-old Blue Royale and getting another wouldn't do much for the state of domestic bliss. As I've remarked before, a red, white and blue set of JCBs would tickle my giblets something fierce. C'mon Lotto!

IMO Getting the hard case was a good move.

 

I really like my EJC, especially for higher volume gigs where the volume interacts with the hollow body to give more sustain. Sonically, it is a different beast. Doesnt sound like the usual P/J. I can squeeze tone variety easily with hand placement, playing harder can produce more distorted tone.

Downsides
1) Uncomfortble to play sitting down, unless its side saddle.
2) Varatone button doesnt do much.

 

String recommendations for a EJC?

I am thinking Rotosounds, but I think Jack Cassady had a specific recommendation.

 

I think I recall reading JC uses Dean Markley Blue Steels. Yup: "PREFERRED STRINGS: I use Dean Markley “Blue Steel” strings, round wound. Medium Light. Gauges: E-105; A-80; D-65; G-45."

I like DR Hi Beams on mine, and I like heavy gauges.

 

I had a set of DR Pure Blues put on mine. I don’t know what is installed from the factory, but I didn’t like them at all.

 

I agree, BassJuju, the factory strings were terrible!

I remember, they were turning my fingers black after playing them for about 10 minutes.

I switched to Blue Steels, which are very good. I also put various flats on: Rotosound 77s, Fender 9050s and the LaBella Jamerson Set. I took the LaBella's off after 3 days, as I thought they were going to pull the bridge off! Seriously, the tension felt that high.

I now have D'Addario XL 100s on, and I really like these strings. They ring so clear in the upper register!

I have Ernie Ball Cobalts on another bass, and absolutely love these, and may put a set on my Jackbass.

One of the nice things about the Jack Casady bass, is that it takes well to almost any strings, and shows a different side of its personality with each set.

Much good luck with yours.

I would love to get a 20th anniversary.

Mike

 

Wow... The last set of strings that did that to me were the factory set that came on my Rick. I played a JC20 locally and while the strings were silver in color, they smelled like phosphor bronze strings and left that aroma on my hands for a bit after I played them. I am certain that I am picky that way, but I don't want my hands to smell like I have been toting around a handful of pennies. I know... Still. I noodled around a bit this morning and the DR's are still new and very bright, but I suspect they will settle in nicely. I had good tonal variations with just a few quick adjustments on the bass. I always wanted 2 pups in the past, but I might get to liking this one pup deal.

 

I've used only the factory strings and the Jack-recommended Markley's on my JCB but I've played one with flats and it does have a distinct personality with each. Contrary to some reports here the Varitone switch position makes a marked difference in the sound on mine and the others I've played.

 

I have Sadowsky Black Labels on mine, serious low thump and great feeling.

 

Yeah, I find the switch makes quite a difference as well, 50 is more tonally even across the frequencies, 500 bumps up the fundamentals quite strongly, 250 about in between. Jack likes 50, I'm partial to 500 - I like the "boom". Of course, there's a substantial volume difference too, which some don't like, but I find useful.

 

I love it on 500, cuts through EVERYTHING