NBD Epi Jack Casady Blue Royale

[tzohn]

You mean during that time when Jack was continually chasing tone that he never really found during that time? That apogee?

His current sig model is based on his early 70s Les Paul bass , which had, wait for it...one pickup in the sweet spot.

Most successful J.A. albums and live performances were from 66 to 69 which was before H.T. and also, wait for it... before early 70's! I did not offend anybody with my posts, cannot understand why you have sarcastic attitude.
I just say that he is mostly known as the bassist of J.A. and you cannot argue that, neither you can argue that J.A. was not more successful than H.T. Chasing a tone, maybe, but always with a pup right next to the neck,
even with a jazz bass.

 

[godofthunder59]

I had a 99 gold top, great bass wish I never sold it. I saw a blue sparkle in person, pictures don't do it justice.

 

[StatesideRambler]

JC is mostly known from J.A. and not Hot Tuna. And I really I don't care about his or any other artist's career choices, this was not what I was trying to say. My comment was about his basses during the period of his career apogee.

I really believe that more people today know him from HT than from JA simply because so much more time has passed and so many more live audiences have seen them. But that's just my belief. I disagree about Casady's three years with Jefferson Airplane being anything like an apogee versus the nearly fifty years he and Jorma have recorded and performed as Hot Tuna but I don't object to your seeing it so. We all have our 'druthers.

 

[StatesideRambler]

I'm gonna have some fun now!

Indeed I am! It's been several weeks since the Big Blue Sparkle (neighbor's nickname for it) showed up on my doorstep and I've had time to play and grow accustomed to it in my "studio" setting. I'll take it to my first post-surgery jam on Saturday next.

There's no disappointment to be had, believe me! The setup out of the box was entirely playable and the factory rounds, whatever they may be, are helping me refine my playing. (You may recall I said that I hadn't played rounds for over three decades.) I like the shape and feel of the neck and the broad, slim body takes some getting used to but I will. I'll have to take and compare photos of myself with each of my basses to find out if a difference I sense is real or imagined. That difference is the sensation that the bass hangs further to my left, making for a longer reach to the lowest frets. It may just feel that way as an effect of my shoulder surgery and the physical differences between basses. Recovery is going well, thanks.

I had to get a longer strap because with the strap button on the backside of the neck, a standard length strap holds the bass way up high on me. As far as the sounds, I've found it to have a really wide range from sparkling trebles to throaty Memphis Mississippi mud. There's real flexibility here. I'm thinking I may stay with rounds on this bass. The Saturday jam will tell. So far I'm playing only through my Markbass CMD121P. I should mooch an Ampeg Bass Scrambler or a VT pedal for a night to check it out with more dirt.

 

[MrBassman17]

. I'm thinking I may stay with rounds on this bass.

I don't know what Epiphone uses for the strings, but I can tell you that Jack recommends Dean Markley Blue Steel's. I've had flat's on mine, and now use the Blue Steels, and that's all I'll use going forward! Other than HipShot Ultralite tuners, no other mods are really necessary! Good luck with your gorgeous pre JC!

 

[12BitSlab]

BTW, Happy Birthday to Jack!!!

 

[StatesideRambler]

A belated congrats on your retirement, 12BitSlab. Make playing music a big part of your retirement! (Good luck selling Mrs. 12BitSlab on the JCB as a retirement gift.)

So, it's time for an update on my new JCB. I played the Easter weekend jam I mentioned above and three things came out: it feels great to stand and play it; the sound got lots of attention and compliments (the looks did as well); I need a pedal to get some of that SVT dirt. But I hate pedals. I wonder how I can get an Ampeg Micro VR without occupying floor space.

Anyway, I've definitely warmed up to round wound strings. I may load a set of flats for a month or two for the experience but it sounds so-o-o good with rounds. One thing I'm thoroughly impressed with is how well it stays in tune. I check it everytime I play but I've rarely had to adjust it even a tiny bit. The dreaded neck dive is a mouse nuts sized problem. Perhaps as time passes I may give it another look but my 4" wide Italia strap keeps it in place unless I wear a silk shirt. No biggie. I will say that playing while sitting is awkward with the widest part of the lower bout making positioning difficult. A bit of that may be because I'm still recovering from left rotator cuff surgery three months ago. Old guys recover slower. I may use my Ibanez for serious woodshedding and the Jack more for other practice and performing.

 

[MrBassman17]

Rotator cuff recovery is the pitts! Took me almost a year to get back to near 100%! I could still play, no problem, though! The 'neck-dive' issue I solved with a set of Hipshot ultra lite tuners and a 4" strap, your Italia should be just fine! Enjoy your retirement - I don't know how I had time to work! I'm very busy these days, mostly music related stuff! Enjoy the JC; I just love that color, and I understand that there is a red trans forthcoming! Like an anniversary edition, I think!

 

[StatesideRambler]

It's coming up on twenty years (in 2018) of the JC Signature bass. That's an amazing run that has really pleased Jack himself!

I just looked at a message I'd posted elsewhere saying that I'd immediately replace pots, jack and bridge. Now that it's in hand and being played I don't have the need. If those should trouble me in time I'll replace them when needed.