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NBD Modded Bronco Bass w/ Jack Casady Pickup

Nov 25, 2007
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Pennsylvania
So I've actually been using this bass for a month or 2 now, but I'm getting around to posting a NBD about it, and I want to start another thread which will reference this one, so its time.

So a few years ago I had been gassing for a Jack Casady signature hard. Everyone posted great reviews, so I got one, and I thought it sounded amazing, but after playing it for a few gigs, I started to realize it just doesn't fit me ergonomically. I always thought I'd love to try a solid body bass with the same electronics.

So in November I posted a wanted thread searching for electronics, and I got a hit right away, and I started working on this.

I got a Bronco Bass from guitar center's black friday sale, (Why are used bronco's the same price as new broncos?) and I got to work chewing up the insides of the bronco. I'll post a routing shot. The shielding paint makes it look way better than it is.

The Jack Casady electronics are HUGE. They had a giant hollow bass to fill, and they didn't bother making anything smaller than it had to be. The connection terminals for the pickup are on the bottom, and stick straight down, I actually had to bend them over to get it to fit at all.

I tried my hand at cutting the pickguard to fit the Casady pickup, but I did a pretty bad job, and I didn't really want white anyway, so I found a guy on reverb making bronco replacement pickguards, and I messaged him about doing a custom job, and he agreed. I had to send him the mounting ring, and he made the pickguard. Perfect fit. I'm super happy with the job this guy did.

I got a bridge from amazon, which was not completely drop in, but I liked the look of, the 2 neck-side bridge mounting holes are close to the corresponding bronco bridge mounting holes, close enough that I could use them, and drilled new holes for the back. I'm not 100% sure if the bridge doesn't have enough adjustability, or if I don't have it mounted in the right place, but I had to cut the intonation adjustment screws for the E and A strings down. Still pretty satisfied with it overall.

I also put sperzal locking tuners on it. They were the only tuner I could find that was close to a drop in fit. I had to wrap some tape around them because they are actually a little bit smaller than the bronco tuners. I'm actually a really big fan of these tuners, and will use them again in the future, when possible.

So as far as I know, I'm done with it for now. (maybe think about a bassmute in the future)

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One of the reasons I've been holding off the NBD post is that I was hoping to record a sound sample to post with it, but I haven't been able to. It sounds pretty great to me though.
 
Neat little project, seems to have come out looking pretty solid! Never really been a tort-on-red kinda fellow, but it somehow works in this instance.

Sound clips would be quite interesting. Does it sound more like the JC bass, or the Bronco? The pickup positioning doesn't seem too far off from one to the other, but the different scale length, and body type would probably have an impact
 
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I get it. The JCB may not fit everyone. It took me a while to figure the right strap length, where to hang it etc. That’s probably the toughest selling point of hollow/semi-hollow bodies.

But that pickup is weird. I guess it’s a super low impedance design that gives great dynamics and touch response. I’ve had my JC apart for mods. Did you keep the transformer in the circuit?
 
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Very nice mod!!!
I love the PG choice you made.
I bet it would look even cooler with cream Jazz knobs that match the PUP.

057912
I've thought about getting cream knobs and switch, but I like the gold ones too.
Looks like a cool idea! Bet it sounds nice, too. The Casady bass and pickup are great sounding.

The color-matching vol/tone knobs are a very nice complementary choice.
They are the original knobs from the Jack Casady

I get it. The JCB may not fit everyone. It took me a while to figure the right strap length, where to hang it etc. That’s probably the toughest selling point of hollow/semi-hollow bodies.

But that pickup is weird. I guess it’s a super low impedance design that gives great dynamics and touch response. I’ve had my JC apart for mods. Did you keep the transformer in the circuit?
Completely intact electronics from the Jack Casady. Its hard to see the impedance selector switch because its black, and the pickguard is dark in that area. Its on the lower horn.
 
Neat little project, seems to have come out looking pretty solid! Never really been a tort-on-red kinda fellow, but it somehow works in this instance.

Sound clips would be quite interesting. Does it sound more like the JC bass, or the Bronco? The pickup positioning doesn't seem too far off from one to the other, but the different scale length, and body type would probably have an impact

I haven't played a Jack Casady bass in years, and I didn't even plug the bronco in before I started gutting it, but it sounds much warmer than I would guess the bronco would sound. Hopefully closer to the Jack Casady, that's what I was going for anyway.
 
Very cool, Meyatch.

This idea had passed through my mind about five years ago; not using a Bronco, but using a Warmoth Dinky P body.

I even posted a thread about it, but most opinions were to leave the Jack Casady bass intact, which I did, and I'm glad I did.

Congrats to you; it looks great! :hyper:

If you could get a sound clip up, that would be great.

I wonder how many Jack Casady basses have been modded world-wide, and how many other basses have received Jack Casady transplants such as yours.

Much good luck with it. :thumbsup:

Mike
 
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...I wonder how many Jack Casady basses have been modded world-wide...

The only thing I can think of to do with a JC is swap in a Curtis Novak Darkstar pup. Might need a bezel or escutcheon if the hole is too big, but it may just cover it by itself.

But recycling that Electar pup and it’s electronics into another bass seems like a herculean task. Great job!
 
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