Epiphone vs Fender

[SpanishDave]

Hey, this is a very specific question.

I have the chance to buy either a Epiphone Jack Casady bass OR a 2005 Mexican Fender Jazz.

I had been looking at buying a jazz and a Jack Casady bass hadn't even entered my head but they are exactly the same price but the Casady comes with the fitted case.

I am currently playing in a cover band doing rock,(Hendrix, smashing pumpkins, foo fighters, the doors, QOTSA, Muse, stereophonics) but next year will be getting back together with my old band that was much more modern rock sound.

I am playing through a Hartke LH500 with a 112 Hydrive cab (soon to be 2).

If I hadn't seen the jack casady bass, I would have bought the jazz already but I did see.
I can't try either out, two concerns I have about the Casady, strap button placement. I have a '98 Les Paul bass that is sweet but just a touch neck heavy. Also, the casady is Gold. Not sure how long I will like that for.


Thanks

 

[Jamesray740]

The Fender will cover more genres. Good choice on the Hartke LH! I also have a LP bass, Think mines like an 04 model.

 

[Guinness20]

Difficult to compare the two, they're almost polar opposites! Go with the jazz.

 

[hhirbe]

I've heard some good things about the JC epi, but to cover a breadth of genres like you seem to need to do you can't go wrong with a jazz bass.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I own both Casady and Jazz basses. The Casady is definitely a 'specialty' bass; in other words, you can't really use it on every type of gig....especially loud rock stuff. It can feed back if you're not careful at high SPLs. It works great for mellow/acoustic duo/lighter fare gigs. It does sit kinda funny due to the strap button placement. But the sound is great and it's such a cool bass. I have flats on mine. Love it.

 

[SpanishDave]

I own both Casady and Jazz basses. The Casady is definitely a 'specialty' bass; in other words, you can't really use it on every type of gig....especially loud rock stuff. It can feed back if you're not careful at high SPLs. It works great for mellow/acoustic duo/lighter fare gigs. It does sit kinda funny due to the strap button placement. But the sound is great and it's such a cool bass. I have flats on mine. Love it.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies!
Yup, i think you are all right, for what I am gonna be doing with it the Jazz covers more basses. Like I said, the JC wouldn't even have been an option other than the fact that it is the same price (very cheap) plus it has a case.

 

[SpanishDave]

The Fender will cover more genres. Good choice on the Hartke LH! I also have a LP bass, Think mines like an 04 model.View attachment 426657

Nice, I got the chance to play one of the newer models a while back, put it this way, I wouldn't swap!

 

[Jamesray740]

Nice, I got the chance to play one of the newer models a while back, put it this way, I wouldn't swap!

Cool. yeah the Korean Epi Lp's from the 90's are pretty awesome. They are getting harder to get ahold of.

 

[walldaja]

The Jack Casady bass seemed to work OK for Jack Casady.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You can't find a place where the jazz WON'T work. You make love a hollow body, you may not. Try before you buy.

 

[rimmry]

I would go with the Jack Casady. I think it sounds better,and so as the design. besides, its more unique. There are many many people play a jazz bass, and way less people play a Jack Casady.

 

[soflbass]

Owning both a jazz and a p bass pretty much covers the gamut of rock genre. Get the jazz IMHO. The LP can cover you for that p bass sound.

 

[SpanishDave]

Thats The Epi, if the Casady was in black I definitely go for it but in gold........
I can't see the jazz not working for everything but Casady keeps sneaking in!

 

[mattpbass]

Jazz bass works everywhere!

 

[TeeZeeMee90]

Get Jazzy on it.

 

[dalkowski]

I would buy the Jazz for what you play, without hesitation. That would leave the Jack for me.

 

[Guinness20]

I want this Jack Casady!

Link Removed

 

[1stnamebassist]

Casady with stainless rounds is a powerful aggressive bass. It's my favorite bass currently. But the jazz with its slightly thinner neck profile may be a bit more comfortable to play.

 

[SpanishDave]

Typical! You wait ages for one then four come along at once!
So...... I now live in rural northern Spain and music shops and the second hand market is very sparse, but!!!
I now have four options! It goes like this...
1) Epiphone Jack Casady bass 350€
2) Fender Mexican Jazz 350€
3) Ibanez ATK300 200€
4) Squier vintage modified 70's bass 180€



So?

 

[inate_hex]

I'd go with the jazz bass. Fits into almost any genre.