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Solid-Body Jack Casady Project

Michael Jewels

Michael Jewels

Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2000
11,462
9,925
Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
#1
Hey, all.

As some of you know, I've had an Epiphone Jack Casady bass for over 6 years now, and love its tone. My only complaint about this bass is that the body shape can become a little uncomfortable after playing it for a while.

So, I've been thinking about taking the guts out of my Jackbass (pickup, 3 way switch and pots) and putting them in a Warmoth body, either a dinky P-bass or hollow J-bass body.

I've been wanting to build my own P-bass for a while now, and couldn't decide which pups to go with, then I thought of cannibalizing my Jackbass. The tone isn't quite the same as a P-bass, but it's in that neighborhood.

I'd probably go with the Jack's pup in the middle position as it is on the Jackbass, and the body would probably be alder/with a tobacco burst finish. I also like the look of Warmoth's 2+2 angled headstock.

It's not definite, but the idea is growing on me.

So...

What do you think?

Has anyone heard of anyone doing this before?

If anyone has any suggestions to add, such as other pickup or wood combinations, I'd be interested in hearing them.

Mike
 
#2
The key to the "jackbass" is the electronics package and the pickup placement. Having a body routed so the pickup distance from the bridge is the trick. The rest is gravy.

Remember, Jack's first bass with Airplane was a Jazzbass, then the Guild and the Alembicized Guild. He sounded pretty similar on a bunch of different instruments.
 
#3
jgsbass said:
The key to the "jackbass" is the electronics package and the pickup placement. Having a body routed so the pickup distance from the bridge is the trick. The rest is gravy.

Remember, Jack's first bass with Airplane was a Jazzbass, then the Guild and the Alembicized Guild. He sounded pretty similar on a bunch of different instruments.
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Well, he only stated that he was trying to get the tone of the Epiphone Jack Casedy bass in a more comfortable package, not the tone of Jack Casady the player.

Personally, I'd say go for it. But then again, I'd also say buy a new Jack, gut that one, put it in a new body, and keep your original. That way you don't permantly scar your baby.
 
#6
SnakeAnthony said:
Personally, I'd say go for it. But then again, I'd also say buy a new Jack, gut that one, put it in a new body, and keep your original. That way you don't permantly scar your baby.
Click to expand...

If I do this, I'm going to take the electronics out very carefully so that I can replace everything later on if I want to.

But knowing myself, if I deceide to do this, it'll be for good.

I imagine I'd have to e-mail Warmoth, explain what I wanted done, and then send them the pickup and switch so that they could route the body accordingly.

I was also considering a mahogany body, as it comes in as the warmest wood they sell on their tone-O-meter.
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Hmmm.

Mike
 
#11
Thor said:
Seriously.

Leave the JC alone, do a build with Darkstar pups from Fred Hammon.

http://www.hammoneng.com/
Click to expand...

Now that's a good idea, Thor! :cool:

I'm not going to do anything 'till after I think this through thoroughly, including doing as Snake Anthony suggested: buy a second Jackbass.

I'd really rather not gut my Jackbass; it'll be worthless then.

Besides, look at the 6th and 7th bodies on this page:
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That honeyburst body is so nice-looking, and I could just get it routed for a P/J setup which would be cheaper, and just drop Duncan Antiquity 2s in it.

I gots to think on this. ;)

Mike

P.S. I got your PM, Thor.
 
#12
Thor said:
Seriously.

Leave the JC alone, do a build with Darkstar pups from Fred Hammon.
Click to expand...

+1000!

First, the JC is such a fine instrument that it would just be a shame to sacrifice it. I use mine for everything, though I find it especially invaluable for the duo and/or acoustic context: If nothing else, you want to keep it around for those situations. If it isn't comfortable to play all night, just use it for a set and then switch to something else. Or even work on adjusting your playing position and mechanics so it isn't as uncomfortable. (For my part, I've been trying to train myself not to rest my arm on the body with my wrist bent downward, and instead holding my arm further out and keeping my wrist more straight. There are many good reasons to do this anyway, apart from preventing the body from digging into your lower arm.)

Second, I'm skeptical about how the electronics would sound in a different body, especially a solid one. Although I agree with a previous poster that the electronics package and pickup placement are "key" to the JC sound, I suspect that the body design is also crucial. Most important, the pickup and its placement were designed specifically with this particular body in mind, and so it seems doubtful to me that you would get anything like the same sound out of the electronics in a different body.
 
#13
Lobster11 said:
+1000!

First, the JC is such a fine instrument that it would just be a shame to sacrifice it. I use mine for everything, though I find it especially invaluable for the duo and/or acoustic context: If nothing else, you want to keep it around for those situations. If it isn't comfortable to play all night, just use it for a set and then switch to something else. Or even work on adjusting your playing position and mechanics so it isn't as uncomfortable. (For my part, I've been trying to train myself not to rest my arm on the body with my wrist bent downward, and instead holding my arm further out and keeping my wrist more straight. There are many good reasons to do this anyway, apart from preventing the body from digging into your lower arm.)

Second, I'm skeptical about how the electronics would sound in a different body, especially a solid one. Although I agree with a previous poster that the electronics package and pickup placement are "key" to the JC sound, I suspect that the body design is also crucial. Most important, the pickup and its placement were designed specifically with this particular body in mind, and so it seems doubtful to me that you would get anything like the same sound out of the electronics in a different body.
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This is a very good argument for me not to butcher my Jackbass! :cool:

It seems most people with an opinion say to leave it alone, and I think I will.

Also, if I gut my Jackbass, I'd have to give up my membership in the Hollowbody Bass Club! :(

Maybe I'll build a Precision, a bass whose sound I love. :bassist:

Too bad I don't want to build a Jazz; I'd really consider the green dinky J body on page 3. I know it's a loud color, but it'd look good with an ebony fingerboard and black hardware, @ only $280 already painted. Invalid Link Removed

The voices of reason have prevailed. ;)

Mike
 
#14
Michael Jewels said:
Too bad I don't want to build a Jazz; I'd really consider the green dinky J body on page 3. I know it's a loud color, but it'd look good with an ebony fingerboard and black hardware, @ only $280 already painted. Invalid Link Removed

The voices of reason have prevailed. ;)

Mike
Click to expand...


Cant go wrong with the Green Mike !
 

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