Mine definitely has neck dive, and as a result is going into the shop later this week to have Gotoh resolites installed. The wide suede backed strap helps quite a bit, but as soon as I take my left hand off the neck it drops down and forward. I can deal with the forward, as my right forearm holds that in place fine, but am hoping the new tuners make it so I don't have to have both hands on the instrument all the time. With all of that said, its still a pleasure to play as is, and I would not let that be a deal breaker for this instrument.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Epiphone Jack Casady Really is All That
- Thread starter ThuzzleFump
- Start date
I had picked one up last year. Really liked the tone and how it played. But, it’s a BIG bass. I wear my basses a bit on the high side and that doesn’t work with this bass. Just wasn’t comfortable using it at a gig. But that is just me. I still give it high marks in sound and construction and looks!
So, I ordered this one... I have the brown version which is almost to it's full length for the Gretsch. It would seem the JC will require slightly less strap since it is a bit smaller. At first I was concerned about the need to remove too much leather to make the lock fit in the strap, but after looking at it, I don't think that will be the case.
LM Products The Helheim Viking Series Leather Strap - Black
Yup, it'd be tough to wear up there jammed into your armpit.
Sorry it didn't work out for your playing style.Yup, it'd be tough to wear up there jammed into your armpit.
Agreed... You know, somewhere along the way, I saw a video that said one should adjust their strap so that the bass is in the same position when standing as it is when one is sitting. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that, and I did that for sometime, but now I am starting to lengthen my straps in general and find the position to be more comfortable. So much so, that I have started practicing standing in order to get the bass in a lower position. Both my right and left hands like it better.
No wrong answer... just something I am finding changes over time.
I understand up high is great for slap - but I can't slap.
If you want to go even lighter, Gotoh has carbon fiber versions out now: Invalid Link Removed
drool
My JC NBD was a couple of weeks ago. Daily home practice and two band rehearsals proved to me that the bass really "is all that".
I play it on my hip with the neck angled exactly like Jack does. Fortunately it wasn't a change for me as I've been playing/gigging an ABG for the past five years in the exact same body and neck position.
Also a non adjustment for me was the body size and neck thickness. My ABG body is even bigger and the neck fatter so the JC seems slim and trim.
I knew this bass was capable of a wide range of tones and, well, it IS. A seriously versatile bass.
IME there is considerable neck dive but it's easily remedied by using a wide, suede or similar backed strap. My ABG had neck dive and that kind of strap solved it. Works the same on the JC. (Ultralight tuners will help and I may go that route too but they cost $100 + per set.) I tried the poly webbing strap from my SDGR SR800 to see what would happen and it was like the headstock jumping off a 20 meter platform.
I'm 6' tall and need a minimum 56" strap to put the JC in the correct playing position. As I mentioned above a suede or other rough backing is necessary to counteract neck dive. I use a 2.5" Franklin Original Suede strap. Reasonably priced and very comfortable.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: I thought I would also mention the strings I use if anyone is interested.
GHS Brite Flats in medium light (52-103). They are actually ground/half rounds that are well balanced with a flat feel but nice presence and sustain. Jack uses Med. Lt. Dean Markley Blue Steels. Those were my go-to stings for many, many years until I returned to my roots with flats. the GHS BFs pair very well with the Jack bass.
I play it on my hip with the neck angled exactly like Jack does. Fortunately it wasn't a change for me as I've been playing/gigging an ABG for the past five years in the exact same body and neck position.
Also a non adjustment for me was the body size and neck thickness. My ABG body is even bigger and the neck fatter so the JC seems slim and trim.
I knew this bass was capable of a wide range of tones and, well, it IS. A seriously versatile bass.
IME there is considerable neck dive but it's easily remedied by using a wide, suede or similar backed strap. My ABG had neck dive and that kind of strap solved it. Works the same on the JC. (Ultralight tuners will help and I may go that route too but they cost $100 + per set.) I tried the poly webbing strap from my SDGR SR800 to see what would happen and it was like the headstock jumping off a 20 meter platform.
I'm 6' tall and need a minimum 56" strap to put the JC in the correct playing position. As I mentioned above a suede or other rough backing is necessary to counteract neck dive. I use a 2.5" Franklin Original Suede strap. Reasonably priced and very comfortable.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: I thought I would also mention the strings I use if anyone is interested.
GHS Brite Flats in medium light (52-103). They are actually ground/half rounds that are well balanced with a flat feel but nice presence and sustain. Jack uses Med. Lt. Dean Markley Blue Steels. Those were my go-to stings for many, many years until I returned to my roots with flats. the GHS BFs pair very well with the Jack bass.
Last edited:
My JC NBD was a couple of weeks ago. Daily home practice and two band rehearsals proved to me that the bass really "is all that".
View attachment 2964666
I play it on my hip with the neck angled exactly like Jack does. Fortunately it wasn't a change for me as I've been playing/gigging an ABG for the past five years in the exact same body and neck position.
Also a non adjustment for me was the body size and neck thickness. My ABG body is even bigger and the neck fatter so the JC seems slim and trim.
I knew this bass was capable of a wide range of tones and, well, it IS. A seriously versatile bass.
IME there is considerable neck dive but it's easily remedied by using a wide, suede or similar backed strap. My ABG had neck dive and that kind of strap solved it. Works the same on the JC. (Ultralight tuners will help and I may go that route too but they cost $100 + per set.) I tried the poly webbing strap from my SDGR SR800 to see what would happen and it was like the headstock jumping off a 20 meter platform.
I'm 6' tall and need a minimum 56" strap to put the JC in the correct playing position. As I mentioned above a suede or other rough backing is necessary to counteract neck dive. I use a 2.5" Franklin Original Suede strap. Reasonably priced and very comfortable.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
First, I love the white... I looked for one today, like I need another bass.
I have 2 of those straps, but find them to be too short for the Jack. I also have a Levy’s 3.5 inch leather strap in white it works pretty well, but I’d like it to be a bit longer. The LM strap I ordered can go to 59” long. I have a Brown for the Gretsch, which has lots of neck dive, and it works OK. The brown is wrong for the JC20, but about 57 inches long, off the hip, and slightly angled I get virtually no neck dive. Black version shipped today.
I find my need for extra-long straps has more to do with my problematic circumference rather than my height.My JC NBD was a couple of weeks ago. Daily home practice and two band rehearsals proved to me that the bass really "is all that".
View attachment 2964666
I play it on my hip with the neck angled exactly like Jack does. Fortunately it wasn't a change for me as I've been playing/gigging an ABG for the past five years in the exact same body and neck position.
Also a non adjustment for me was the body size and neck thickness. My ABG body is even bigger and the neck fatter so the JC seems slim and trim.
I knew this bass was capable of a wide range of tones and, well, it IS. A seriously versatile bass.
IME there is considerable neck dive but it's easily remedied by using a wide, suede or similar backed strap. My ABG had neck dive and that kind of strap solved it. Works the same on the JC. (Ultralight tuners will help and I may go that route too but they cost $100 + per set.) I tried the poly webbing strap from my SDGR SR800 to see what would happen and it was like the headstock jumping off a 20 meter platform.
I'm 6' tall and need a minimum 56" strap to put the JC in the correct playing position. As I mentioned above a suede or other rough backing is necessary to counteract neck dive. I use a 2.5" Franklin Original Suede strap. Reasonably priced and very comfortable.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: I thought I would also mention the strings I use if anyone is interested.
GHS Brite Flats in medium light (52-103). They are actually ground/half rounds that are well balanced with a flat feel but nice presence and sustain. Jack uses Med. Lt. Dean Markley Blue Steels. Those were my go-to stings for many, many years until I returned to my roots with flats. the GHS BFs pair very well with the Jack bass.
Seriously, had to go to 60" straps for some of my larger ABGs...
My JC NBD was a couple of weeks ago. Daily home practice and two band rehearsals proved to me that the bass really "is all that".
View attachment 2964666
I play it on my hip with the neck angled exactly like Jack does. Fortunately it wasn't a change for me as I've been playing/gigging an ABG for the past five years in the exact same body and neck position.
Also a non adjustment for me was the body size and neck thickness. My ABG body is even bigger and the neck fatter so the JC seems slim and trim.
I knew this bass was capable of a wide range of tones and, well, it IS. A seriously versatile bass.
IME there is considerable neck dive but it's easily remedied by using a wide, suede or similar backed strap. My ABG had neck dive and that kind of strap solved it. Works the same on the JC. (Ultralight tuners will help and I may go that route too but they cost $100 + per set.) I tried the poly webbing strap from my SDGR SR800 to see what would happen and it was like the headstock jumping off a 20 meter platform.
I'm 6' tall and need a minimum 56" strap to put the JC in the correct playing position. As I mentioned above a suede or other rough backing is necessary to counteract neck dive. I use a 2.5" Franklin Original Suede strap. Reasonably priced and very comfortable.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Edit: I thought I would also mention the strings I use if anyone is interested.
GHS Brite Flats in medium light (52-103). They are actually ground/half rounds that are well balanced with a flat feel but nice presence and sustain. Jack uses Med. Lt. Dean Markley Blue Steels. Those were my go-to stings for many, many years until I returned to my roots with flats. the GHS BFs pair very well with the Jack bass.
Thanks for the info! Glad you are happy with the bass. Looks great, too.
Factory tuners are terrible (at least in my bass) and I'd like to replace them. Do you have to drill new screw holes with these Gotoh or are they just like the OEM spacing?
I just got a Jack in gold for $300 Canadian, with the hard shell case. It's in really good condition, not excellent. Just restrung with Chromes and set up nicely. It might make my ES335 expendable. I will post a pic this weekend.
Great deal! I paid $350 US for my first JC, used in excellent condition, still feel like the seller could've gotten more..
If they were a direct fit, I'd do the job myself. The set I got, Invalid Link Removed , have a different shaft size, as well as a different footprint, hence the reason for bringing them in to get the job done professionally. I am also going to have them drop a bone nut in there while they have it, cause why not.
That's a very good deal, 4-fingers.
I think you will love the Jackbass.
Bholder, you paid $350 for your first one? How many do you have?
Mike
Here a thread regarding tuners.
Hipshot ultralites for jack casady bass?
I do know that Bill at Hipshot will turn bushings to the exact size needed so you don't have to drill the holes larger. He did it for a Hamer of mine a while back. He actually turned them and sent them to me for free before I even ordered the tuners, and when I ordered the tuners, the supplied ones just went into my parts drawer.
As mentioned, the Franklin 3" suede straps are great, didn't get much neck dive.
To me, the selector switch provides huge differences.
I'm using Optima Black Label Flats. It sounded great with the stock strings as well!
I moved the top strap button to the top horn like a conventional bass. (I added a piece of wood inside) I plan on putting on some Grolsch gaskets (as soon as there's a party I can bring some to)
Hipshot ultralites for jack casady bass?
I do know that Bill at Hipshot will turn bushings to the exact size needed so you don't have to drill the holes larger. He did it for a Hamer of mine a while back. He actually turned them and sent them to me for free before I even ordered the tuners, and when I ordered the tuners, the supplied ones just went into my parts drawer.
As mentioned, the Franklin 3" suede straps are great, didn't get much neck dive.
To me, the selector switch provides huge differences.
I'm using Optima Black Label Flats. It sounded great with the stock strings as well!
I moved the top strap button to the top horn like a conventional bass. (I added a piece of wood inside) I plan on putting on some Grolsch gaskets (as soon as there's a party I can bring some to)
Last edited:
3 JCs and one original Gibson Les Paul Signature (the proto-Jack):That's a very good deal, 4-fingers.
I think you will love the Jackbass.
Bholder, you paid $350 for your first one? How many do you have?
Mike
Torn between the gold and the white. The white's also much harder to find. If I get a gold one I'll likely get it new, white would have to be found used and the only ones I can find at the moment are on Ebay for absurd prices. Even if they were both equally available I go back and forth on which look I prefer.
I wanted a white one from the start but being they were a limited edition, as you said, they don't show up very often. And when they do they don't last more than a day or two. I missed out on two of them by lagging in pulling the trigger. The one I got had been posted only four hours before I grabbed it. Yeah, that $1,800 one from Japan on Ebay. Wow. Triple the going price. No wonder it isn't selling.
My second choice would have been a 20th Anniv. red one. Man those are beautiful!
