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Sudden GAS attack! Help! Jack Cassidy Bass?

#21
CORBS said:
joe vegas, how did the hipshot change the sound?
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The Hipshot is a bit heavier, has more mass which also helps a bit with the slight neck dive. It seems (to my ears) to add a degree of clarity and sustain, and a more focused tone (which was especially noticeable acoustically). The original bridge sounds slightly thinner by comparison- it's also a thinner piece of shaped metal, as opposed to the nice big block of the Hipshot.
I also went with it after hearing about all the problems with saddle drop-out and the pressed-in pins of the original.
It also has the great advantage of quick fine-tuning of each string's height, and more accurate intonation.
it certainly doesn't impact the intended sound of the bass or its cool electronics- it just brings the tone out more.
 
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#22
I play one (Black with white guard) strung with La Bella flats for country and blues numbers. Nice comfortable neck. Pleasure to play. Not as comfortable gigging due to neck dive and non contoured body but the light weight compensates a bit. Good looking instrument too. I love mine.
 
#23
sugarsand said:
I love Jack, he's awesome, I used to see him play in Berkeley in the late 70s or early 80's with a punk band called SVT, they were incredible, and he was super cool, zero ego, played with a thumb pick!
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Saw SVT in NYC in the late '70s when a friend was doing some electronic tech work for them. Went into the dressing room with them all after the set but Jack was very subdued and I was too scared to say anything to one of my "bass heroes". During the set, when Jack tossed one of his worn plastic thumb picks away, I scrambled to retrieve it for a souvenir.
 
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#24
You need to try one out. It is bulky and a bit awkward to get your right arm around. It weighs about 8.3 lbs and will neck dive without a good quality 3" wide strap with a coarse underside. It is very well made with excellent fit and finish. It sounds great with the stock Dean Markey Blue Steel strings and the neck is very comfortable. Intonation is very sensitive and you can get a lot of different tones just by shifting your plucking hand around. I had a white JC bass for about a year. I never was able to get used the the big bulky body so I sold it and got a solid body Pbass. I miss the neck but the solid body is much more comfortable for me to play. If you are used to a semi hollow body style guitar or bass then this is a definite must have. :);):thumbsup:
 
#26
bholder said:
Yeah, it's very wide bodied, but not really very thick, though the edges are square and not contoured. Definitely requires a different positioning than some players are used to - play it on the diagonal, off the right hip, like Jack:
JackCasadySignatureBass4.jpg
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That's almost precisely how I hold my Woody (, Allen) -- resting my thumb on the fretboard. Comfy and looks kinda cool. The square edges do require adapting if you're used to contoured bodies.

For $500, I'd def be on that IF I still played long scales. Enjoy.
 
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#28
I bought a white Casady last year, and it has made the "keeper" list. Here are my thoughts:
  • Very light (8.3 pounds)
  • Get at least a 53" strap (I use a Mono Betty)
  • Watch those bridge anchor bushings
  • I do miss the contoured upper shoulder
  • I love the sound, but the volume and tone pots need to be better
  • I bought mine used with OHC for $500
  • I went with DR Sunbeams on mine (lights), and love them
  • I don't use an amp with mine, I run direct most of the time
  • The Fender Metro Semi-Hollow Bass gig bag will work
  • Tone kind of reminds me of a P bass
Overall. bass plays out very well, and is quite versatile.
 
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#30
I too tried one in GC and found it does have neck dive but not to enough to deter a purchase. I didn't mind the wide body and it did have some unique sounding pups, I could hear it easily cutting through the mix in a band situation I remember the tone switch having numbers on it which wasn't your position simple 1,2,3 it had I don't remember exactly 20,200,400 or 500? not sure what that was about someone enlighten me thanks
RTS
 
#33
I love my JC but honestly, I took a little crap from people I know about the whole Epiphone deal when I first got it. But, a little explanation about the lineage and about how Jack actually uses these out of the box with no upgrades, it got a chance. I get a lot of compliments on its sound and of course the looks. My 15 year old son has given it his thumbs up as the coolest looking bass that I own, quite a compliment.:D Having said that, I am not sure that I could play it all night as my only bass. Even with it set up well, it is not the best playing bass I own, but it has tough competition from my Musicman and my Pedullas. I would not hesitate to recommend one to anyone, it is extremely cool and has some really awesome unique tones!!!
 
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#34
mdogs said:
I love my JC but honestly, I took a little crap from people I know about the whole Epiphone deal when I first got it. But, a little explanation about the lineage and about how Jack actually uses these out of the box with no upgrades, it got a chance. I get a lot of compliments on its sound and of course the looks. My 15 year old son has given it his thumbs up as the coolest looking bass that I own, quite a compliment.:D Having said that, I am not sure that I could play it all night as my only bass. Even with it set up well, it is not the best playing bass I own, but it has tough competition from my Musicman and my Pedullas. I would not hesitate to recommend one to anyone, it is extremely cool and has some really awesome unique tones!!!
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I've said this before in other contexts, but again, given the price differential, I'd say the JC is hangin' with some pretty tough competition there. :)
 
#37
Got mine used a while back, maybe 2005. Sunburst.

Later I got a Lakland Hollowbody before they had the chi-sonics. Very nice. When it came time to pair down, the JC stayed.

I brought the JC to a band rehearsal 2 years ago. My 2nd guitarist, who has a very good tonal ear, remarked, "Where the **** you been hiding that thing! That sounds great!"

+1 on the good strap. I use it with an Italia strap, the longer version as I am tall, and the suede inside on the 2" strap works fine. In previous threads there have been members who weighed in that replacing the tuners with lightweight hipshots cured all the neckdive.

I saw Ringo last winter, his bassist, Richard Page used a JC for the whole show and sounded terrific.

One guy i know added a SS rod with six string holes drilled that tucks up under the bridge. The strings go thru it, adding mass to the bridge. He loves it and swears by it. I haven't done the bridge replacement, but should I have any issues with the bushings, I will.

This one stays in the permanent collection. Get the case if it is available

. 65_1_b.jpg 6d_1_b.jpg f8_1_b.jpg photo.JPG
Oh yeah, the last pic is not stock, but JC was nice enough to sign it and Fur Peace Ranch mailed it back to me. That one will go in a frame, and maybe at some point I'll find one to put back on the bass.
 
#38
Thor said:
One guy i know added a SS rod with six string holes drilled that tucks up under the bridge. The strings go thru it, adding mass to the bridge. He loves it and swears by it. I haven't done the bridge replacement, but should I have any issues with the bushings, I will.
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Thats called a modbar. A gentleman on the bay sells them from time to time for about 30.00. Way overpriced for what it is, but if you don't have a lathe and or drill press or milling machine to make one that's the only option. The only drawback is you have to remove all the strings at the same time to use it.
 
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#39
Biggbass said:
What your take on the Epiphone Jack Cassidy? Gassing for gold today.
is it worth the $500 or so bucks or will the honeymoon be over before I pay my credit card bill
at the end of the month?
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There's a black one at Guitar Center in Palm Desert, California with a mark-down price of $399. It could be new, or maybe used, but it looks really clean. I already have a gold top one and I really don't need another. But if I didn't already have one, I would snap that one up.
 
#40
I have a mod bar on mine, it makes the bass have a clearer sound, probably by adding mass to the bridge. It also helps strings with long silk wrappings to clear the bridge saddles.
 

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