Tragedy strikes my Jack Casady... Any thoughts?

[Koshchei]

Wow, what a crazy cool electronics design! Totally different than most basses.... something that one doesn't come across often (unique electronics, I mean).

That totally sucks though. Hope you can solve it. I'd definitely work with the product you have - there must be a way to remove epoxy? just don't go too deep or rip the wire out from deeper inside during the procedure! (Well, try not to LoL).

One thing - I REALLY doubt they make their own parts. They MUST have bought that thing from somewhere... right? I mean, do they seriously build those parts themselves??

LOL no. If you can't repair it and it's prone to failure, it's a terrible design.

That Epiphone isn't prepared to stand behind their own product is total ******** too - we're dealing with century-old technology, not a super-secret proprietary innovation that industry spies would pay a huge bounty for - the bass is still in production and the part is still made. It's insane that they wouldn't sell you one so that you can fix your instrument.

#(don't)playAuthentic

 

[Coolhandjjl]

... If I had to do it over again, I'd get the replacement p/u and ditch the awkward electronics.

The Jack Casady has a unique low impedance pickup, hence the need for the transformer and low value pots. Part of the Jack Casady's signature tone is that low impedance pup, it's very dynamic, responds highly to playing style. There are folks who go on a quest for low impedance pickups, they really are something special. Sure, you could ditch the pup and electronics and get a Curtis Novak Darkstar, a TV Jones pickup, or one of the other pickups seen in hollow/semi hollow basses, but then it wouldn't sound like a Jack Casady anymore.

But I have read posts here before from people looking for original replacement pickup, transformer, or rotary switch. Good luck. You'll need it.

 

[Koshchei]

The Jack Casady has a unique low impedance pickup, hence the need for the transformer and low value pots. Part of the Jack Casady's signature tone is that low impedance pup, it's very dynamic, responds highly to playing style. There are folks who go on a quest for low impedance pickups, they really are something special. Sure, you could ditch the pup and electronics and get a Curtis Novak Darkstar, a TV Jones pickup, or one of the other pickups seen in hollow/semi hollow basses, but then it wouldn't sound like a Jack Casady anymore.

But I have read posts here before from people looking for original replacement pickup, transformer, or rotary switch. Good luck. You'll need it.

We should start a community "Buyer Beware" thread about shady stuff like this. Per the Business and Professions Code:

(a) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than ninety-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents ($99.99), shall make available to service and repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the repair of a product for at least three years after the date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the three-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.

(b) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, shall make available to service and repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the repair of a product for at least seven years after the date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the seven-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.

An electric bass with specialty electronics seems to clearly fall under b).

 

[Coolhandjjl]

The pup is sourced from Italy. Sure, consumer laws state this and that. Some people buy new Ricks from authorized dealers with expired finish warranties. But in the real world, what're you gonna do?

I supposed if one wanted to stick it to the man, one could buy a new one, swap out the electronics, and send the new one back stating it's defective. I couldn't do that, but I know there are people who do. Happens on eBay a lot with vintage h-fi gear. People buy a piece of gear like the one they already own but is broken, swap out the unobtanium parts they need for theirs, and return the one they just bought stating it doesn't work.

 

[Koshchei]

The pup is sourced from Italy. Sure, consumer laws state this and that. Some people buy new Ricks from authorized dealers with expired finish warranties. But in the real world, what're you gonna do?

It's true that musicians don't have the money to litigate, and why would you over a $3 part?

However, the court of public opinion is a cheap way to get noticed: Post a thread on an authority site warning people that if they buy product A, B, or C, that this is what they can expect down the road. Rickenbacker's warranty should definitely be called out, for example.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

It's true that musicians don't have the money to litigate, which is what a mid-tier manufacturer is probably counting on.

However, the court of public opinion is a cheap way to get noticed: Post a thread on an authority site warning people that if they buy product A, B, or C, that this is what they can expect down the road. Rickenbacker's warranty should definitely be called out, for example.

What's an authority site? These days, people disregard factual information and believe propaganda sites. So no way to tell anymore.

This site is pretty factual, but not all buyers of music gear check in here first. I'd even venture to surmise that most buyers of bass gear never heard of TB. When most people want to buy something, they buy it. Consumers who read review sites are in the minority.

 

[Verner]

So you can't just take the bass to an epiphone dealer and work through them?

Also, goes without saying leaving a personal instrument in the hands of H.S. kids is a really bad idea. Heck...there are grown adults that have asked to borrow my instruments and the answer is always "no". No one, and I mean no one is going to care for, or about your instrument as much as you do.

I know the risks, and it is a bummer when things get damaged. I should clarify that I don't give free reign with my personal instruments, they are supervised and trusted, and pretty much only my upright bassists learning the other half of the trade. Normally this kind of sustained wear on a wire wouldn't be a big deal, I would just have to solder a wire and tighten a jack, it is the unique components that make this more of a challenge. It is worth it though. After 18 years I still have many ex-students playing bass and they often say they got hooked in my class. For a music teacher there are few more satisfying moments than seeing a kid hit a low E and watching their world change.

 

[Koshchei]

What's an authority site? These days, people disregard factual information and believe propaganda sites. So no way to tell anymore.

This site is pretty factual, but not all buyers of music gear check in here first. I'd even venture to surmise that most buyers of bass gear never heard of TB. When most people want to buy something, they buy it. Consumers who read review sites are in the minority.

TB is an authoritative site... while people might not consult it, it is providing a public good to warn potential consumers about the issues that they'll likely experience.

For the others, both Gibson and Epiphone have a social media presence. I'd treat it like a swimming pool, and jump in with a full bladder and do what comes naturally. If you cost them one sale, they've probably lost more in profit than it would cost to mail you the part to shut you up -- based on what you can get out of China these days, I'm guessing that an Epiphone JC costs less than $100 to make.

 

[Verner]

What's an authority site? These days, people disregard factual information and believe propaganda sites. So no way to tell anymore.

This site is pretty factual, but not all buyers of music gear check in here first. I'd even venture to surmise that most buyers of bass gear never heard of TB. When most people want to buy something, they buy it. Consumers who read review sites are in the minority.

The Jack Casady has a unique low impedance pickup, hence the need for the transformer and low value pots. Part of the Jack Casady's signature tone is that low impedance pup, it's very dynamic, responds highly to playing style. There are folks who go on a quest for low impedance pickups, they really are something special. Sure, you could ditch the pup and electronics and get a Curtis Novak Darkstar, a TV Jones pickup, or one of the other pickups seen in hollow/semi hollow basses, but then it wouldn't sound like a Jack Casady anymore.

But I have read posts here before from people looking for original replacement pickup, transformer, or rotary switch. Good luck. You'll need it.

I agree, the allure of this particular instrument is the look and the unique circuit.

 

[Reedt2000]

So... have you tried to repair it yet?

 

[brianrost]

Time to start posting nastygrams on Epiphone and Gibson social media pages. I have done this a few times when I was given runarounds by customer service departments. Simply state the issue that the mfr will not supply spare parts even while continuing to sell the instrument and recommend other to not buy the product. You might be surprised how quickly you hear back from GibEpi.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

TB is an authoritative site... while people might not consult it, it is providing a public good to warn potential consumers about the issues that they'll likely experience.

For the others, both Gibson and Epiphone have a social media presence. I'd treat it like a swimming pool, and jump in with a full bladder and do what comes naturally. If you cost them one sale, they've probably lost more in profit than it would cost to mail you the part to shut you up -- based on what you can get out of China these days, I'm guessing that an Epiphone JC costs less than $100 to make.

People will still buy even knowing the risks. It seems every week there's a post from someone buying a new Rick, despite all the posts about finish issues around the bridge/tailpiece (which may be fixed with their new bridge/tailpiece design). People still buy them despite all the posts about their cold solder joints, fret sprouts, wood-bound truss rod nuts, poor customer service, etc., etc. When people get an idea about wanting something locked into their head, all the info from an authority site can't sway them from their position, it's just human nature.

 

[Verner]

So... have you tried to repair it yet?

Going to try a pin later today, my wife is an ER nurse and I have three small kids. Got to get the morning chores done...

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Time to start posting nastygrams on Epiphone and Gibson social media pages. I have done this a few times when I was given runarounds by customer service departments. Simply state the issue that the mfr will not supply spare parts even while continuing to sell the instrument and recommend other to not buy the product. You might be surprised how quickly you hear back from GibEpi.

Why not. I guess I'd give that a shot too.

 

[SubHuman]

Just throwing out some ideas but contact these manufacturers with your xfrmer specs and see if they can match?

Core Components LE14300 / EMSC-454 Transformer

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Lobster11]

From what I have read, the pickup, transformer and rotary switch for the Jack Casady are pretty much unobtanium. It's like they installed every single one in a bass with none left over for parts inventory.

I thought of that.... but then why wouldn't they just tell you they don't have any instead of giving you the runaround?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I thought of that.... but then why wouldn't they just tell you they don't have any instead of giving you the runaround?

I called the dealer to get a replacement pickup bezel and it took over two weeks for the dealer to hear back from Epi. And the only one available was an ivory one like the original model had, not a black one like what's on the 20th Anniversary edition which is the model I have.

 

[SubHuman]

I think the Epiphone EB3 has a similar choke or transformer. This website makes a replacement assembly. Contact him about your dilemma! He might have a suggestion.

Prewired EB-3 Assembly (Passive)

I have an original 1972 Gibson EB3 and it has a chicken head knob selector for the choke too so this is an ancient circuit design! Hard to believe it is so hard to find a replacement. Good luck!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I think the Epiphone EB3 has a similar choke or transformer. This website makes a replacement assembly. Contact him about your dilemma! He might have a suggestion.

Prewired EB-3 Assembly (Passive)

I have an original 1972 Gibson EB3 and it has a chicken head knob selector for the choke too so this is an ancient circuit design! Hard to believe it is so hard to find a replacement. Good luck!

The transformer on the Jack Casady is about a 1" cube shape IIRC.

 

[6Bass101]

I fixed my 1973 motorcycle coil (moulded in wire, broken copper) by Hogging out plastic until I saw copper, pushing a finish nail in as far as I could. It was a tight fit and that holds it in place.

Seems to me you could use a fine steel push pin (packaged shirts from offshore have really thin pins) the same way and even get the soldering iron on it and wick a bit of solder in. Solder on a wire.

I like this idea.