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Epiphone Jack Casady Replacement Tuners and/or Bridge

abngourmet

abngourmet

In Memoriam
Nov 11, 2004
1,276
460
USA
#1
Folks,

I just picked up an Epiphone Jack Casady Limited Edition Bass in Alpine White. Love everything about it except the tuning machines and that awful Gibson three point bridge. I probably can't do much about the bridge as it is an arched top, but does anyone have recommendations for replacment tuners? The ones on the bass work, but they're cheap. Anyone know of any replacements?

Thanks!

Alan
 
#6
I plugged the headstock and installed Gotoh GB350 tuners and was completely satisfied. The nut and washer that holds the tuner on completely hid the plug on the front side. When I sold the bass I re-drilled and put the stock tuners back on leaving only a single screw hole on the back which was hidden by the tuner.

I investigated the Hipshot bridge but it requires shimming to seat on the arch top and the Babicz looks like it would too. I'd probably use a combination of stainless and nylon machine screw washers which are easy to find but I didn't have any real problems with the stock bridge so I left it.
 
#9
The bridge is fine, but if you must change, Babicz has a new bridge that is promising, and if you keep the stock bridge, there is a cylindrical adaptor that will add mass and get the ball end far enough off the bridge so there is no silk on the saddle.

Tuners: there is no reason why anybody should have to endure "vintage" style tuners with their weight and clunky feel, unless there are monetary reasons to keep a vintage instrument intact. Change them out to a set of Hipshots. There are light weight models which will fit the footprint of the stock tuners, and there are ultralites to cure neck dive.
 
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#15
an960_md.jpg
 
#16
SAE means "Society of Automotive Engineers," and I think "AN" means "American National," which are two systems of measurements and performance specifications for mechanical fasteners, including screws, bolts, nuts and washers, among other parts and design elements. "OD" means "outside diameter," or the external size of the part, and "ID" means internal diameter, or the size of the hole.

Oversimplified, yes, but explains the point in this context.
 
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#17
iiipopes said:
SAE means "Society of Automotive Engineers," and I think "AN" means "American National," which are two systems of measurements and performance specifications for mechanical fasteners, including screws, bolts, nuts and washers, among other parts and design elements. "OD" means "outside diameter," or the external size of the part, and "ID" means internal diameter, or the size of the hole.

Oversimplified, yes, but explains the point in this context.
Click to expand...

It would take an essay to explain fastener sizes it in detail......
 
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#19
Well ...

I installed the Hipshot Supertone bridge and 1/2" tuners on my Jack Casady in Arctic White ....

Pros: Big improvement in intonation, action and tone. The bridge is a huge improvement over the stock Gibson three point bridge. Why Gibson still uses it (other than for financial reasons) is beyond me. The tuners are ten times better than the stock tuners.

Cons: You have to tap out the ferrules for the original tuners. While doing this, the headstock finish cracked on one of the tuners on my bass. I was able to glue the cracked part back in, but it still sucks.

Bottom line: I love my Epi JC. I wish it came with another pickup near the bridge, but it is what it is, which is, in my view a P-Bass on steroids. I can get great P-Bass tones with it, as well as some less P-Bass-ish tones. For $700, it's a great bass.
 
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#20
I have a Silver Burst JC Limited Edition, and it came to me from a purchase (from a TB member) with the HipShot bridge and ultralite tuners already installed. I would have replaced the stock unite anyway, but I got a great deal from the seller, and saved me the effort! The HipShot tuners have solved the 'neck dive' issue that plagues the Jack Casady, and the bridge helps the tone and looks cool, as it is black against the silver of the body, as well as being a better quality bridge. IMHO, it doesn't need a second pickup, as it has the Varitone Switch, and you can get all kinds of great sound coming out of it! Also strung with La Bella flats. I have a P-Bass as well (with a Babicz bridge) and there is no comparison!
 

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