Looking for Epiphone Jack Cassidy soundalike.

[jdjk7]

The simplest solution would be to install a JCB-1 humbucker with VariTone control at the same location on another 34" scale bass of your choice. Unfortunately, I don't see that that electronics setup available as an after-market package, so you may need to find a donor instrument. You may want to reach out to Epiphone directly.

Close, but it's not a Varitone switch. Varitone switches select between different capacitors to create a notch filter, while the JC bass has an output transformer that selects between three different output impedances.

Personally, I would do this, though. I love the sound of the JCB but I hate the ergonomics of the semi-hollow, and the Chinese versions I have been able to play in store don't hold a candle to the (rising in value) Korean ones. I'd rather just slap the electronics package in a solid body and be done with it, because it's really that aspect of the sound that I'm interested in.

 

[BTL]

@jdjk7 I copied the description of the circuit from the Guitar Center ad:

Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Faded Pelham Blue

 

[jdjk7]

@jdjk7 I copied the description of the circuit from the Guitar Center ad:

Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Faded Pelham Blue

Yeah, I think they just called it that because that's sort of a similar concept that people are familiar with. It might be that Epiphone also calls it that. But, "Varitone" also refers to a distinct type of circuit that happens to accomplish a similar thing in a different way. i.e., set-and-forget switch positions that let you vary the tone of the instrument.

 

[BTL]

@jdjk7 Understood. I knew the circuit was unique to the bass, so I wanted to be certain I described it correctly using the manufacturer's terminology. I assume that will be important if/when it comes time to order the parts from Epiphone. Thanks!

 

[fourstr00]

I would submit the Spectorcore could do the job. Similar build style, much better ergonomics.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Oh it's definitely mine.
My JC proof of price offer and receipt
Just as these are mine. No assuming necessary.
In order of Acquisition
All 4-string unless noted otherwise

So Anyway, B-Mac is my new go-to guy when Mrs. Hurricane asks why I need another bass.

 

[Acoop]

I'd imagine you'd get the same overall sound from any hollow body style bass. ... I'd look for the cheapest bass, that'll stay in tune, and send the money on the pickups and electronics. ... Just simple and clean. Plus, those basses always sounded better with a pick.

 

[semiprohooker]

@B-Mac Without getting into the tonewood debate, the JCB electronics package is unique. Putting the Casady electronics package in the same location on any 34" scale bass has the highest probability of success and the lowest risk of failure for @Evildrwallace achieving his overall goal. Using a cheapo body like the one below would be a good platform to start.

Precision Bass Guitar Body alder wood 3TS 4.85 IBS | eBay

How do the Epiphone Jack Casady electronics work?

From the thread linked above, you may need a serial number to get the parts, but that should be easy enough to snag from a recently ended auction listing somewhere. I don't think there's a big market in counterfeit JCBs.

Don't even bother man... That guy does nothing but disagree on here and then start talking about owning a hundred some odd basses.... Yadda yadda yadda.

I'm with you on transplanting that electronics package on something else. If it happens to be a semi hollow, even better.

 

[BTL]

@Evildrwallace If you move forward with getting the Epi electronics package and would like a semi-hollow body to mount it in, Rosser offers a couple of options that are pretty affordable. You could have Rosser route it for a single Filter'Tron, Dremel out the rout to fit the JCB pickup, and finish with the body with TruOil.

Rosser Guitars, LLC | eBay Stores

 

[ric4682]

I remember seeing someone that stuffed the JCB electronics into a Squier Bronco. I wonder if the bigger, looser low end of of short scales would make them a good candidate to help approximate the bigger, looser low end of the hollowbody?

 

[BTL]

I remember seeing someone that stuffed the JCB electronics into a Squier Bronco. I wonder if the bigger, looser low end of of short scales would make them a good candidate to help approximate the bigger, looser low end of the hollowbody?

Here it is:

NBD Modded Bronco Bass w/ Jack Casady Pickup

 

[GIBrat51]

I had a Jack Cassady for a while and loved the sound but never really liked the neck or the ergonomics. Now I listen back to a few recordings I did with that bass and would really like to get the sound again. My only current EBG is a Squire CV Jazz, which is lovely but very different. So - any suggestions on a bass that will give me something like the JC sound but with a narrower neck and less (i.e. - no) neck dive? And I'm talking Squire, Epiphone money please!

I'd also suggest, if you have the chance, to play one of these if at all possible. Past JC owners appear to really like these. Guild Starfire I. @FlyingPigSound has one and used to own a JC Sig.

I'll second this; I just happen to own both these basses. Low End Lobster reviewed the both of them, and he also commented on the similarity of their tone. While I like them both, I have to say that, sadly, the Guild also has some noticeable neck dive. Not quite as much as the JC - on the same strap - but, noticeable. I'm afraid that neck dive is simply a given with this kind of bass, since there's no solid upper horn sticking out to the 12th fret. There are ways to mount the upper strap pin to the upper horn on either of these basses, but it takes some work to make it a solid one. I have a bunch of hollow- and semi-hollow body basses, and the only one that doesn't have a neck dive problem (well, not much of one) is my '94 Gretsch Broadkaster. But, the body of that thing is so large, and the feedback-damping "waffle bracing" inside it so heavy, that it eliminates most of the dive problem. That, and the fact that Gretsch put the front strap pin out on the upper horn at the factory, to begin with... My Guild doesn't sound exactly like my JC, but... if that's the tone you want? It's plenty close - to my ears, anyhow. And, with the right strings and some amp-tweaking? You could get it even closer...

 

[leonard]

I sold my JC coz I found that it sounds very similar to my P-bass.

 

[Boneless]

Maybe the Eastwood Black Widow bass could be what you're looking for:

Black Widow Bass

Chambered mahogany body, pickup in a similar position (probably a P-90 like pickup, so a darkish single coil), slightly lower scale, strap button on the horn (although, judging by the position, it might still neck dive but not as badly). I think this is your best bet.

 

[Hevy T]

A P bass with a varitone switch added wit the same values as the
e Jack would work

 

[BigBigGuy44]

P bass is remarkably close, especially with a Lace Alumitone pickup. You can order a varitone harness from Kellingsound on eBay for a reasonable price.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Lots of basses get in the ballpark and lots of suggestions so far, most a bit more $ than you want. I have an alternative take:

let it go. I like my JC and can get along with its idiosyncrasies (try neck dive onna EB3L some time)! But I’m not using it as a main giggling bass.

so many cool sounds out there that you can live without obsessing over the JC that got away.

oh and thanks for gassing me up for the black widow….

 

[Koshchei]

The JC is pretty much in a class of its own, unfortunately - Full-scale semi-hollows are pretty uncommon. Add the impedance selector and strange pickup, and you've got something unique.

I'd suggest getting another, and then running the strap through your belt to counteract the neck dive.

 

[Evildrwallace]

Lots of basses get in the ballpark and lots of suggestions so far, most a bit more $ than you want. I have an alternative take:

let it go. I like my JC and can get along with its idiosyncrasies (try neck dive onna EB3L some time)! But I’m not using it as a main giggling bass.

so many cool sounds out there that you can live without obsessing over the JC that got away.

oh and thanks for gassing me up for the black widow….

You're right, of course, and I'm honestly not obsessing over it - just wondering how best to get that sound (or close to it) with a slimmer neck and, for preference, no neck dive. To be honest, if I had the JC now, I'd just keep it, I sold it when I thought I wouldn't be playing much bass for a while (covid etc.) and couldn't justify keeping it. So now, when I can possibly justify another bass, I'm reviewing my options.
@Boneless - And that Black Widow does look good...

 

[BTL]

@Evildrwallace Along the lines of posts 36 & 37, do you have access to a P bass? If so, borrow that for a bit and see if it gives you recording results that are closer to what you are looking for. If not, you'll know that pursuing a more complex solution is necessary.