Epiphone Jack Casady Signature

2008 Ebony jack Casady Signature bass made in Korea.
34" neck and large body semi acoustic with a three point bridge.
Simple but very effective features on this bass as described below.

I play in a band that plays a mixture of Americana, rock, Alt. country and I decided that not only would it potentially sound great but it would also look the part. The sound on this bass is fantastic across all settings and fits extremely well into these styles of music. The frequency of the pick up can be altered but I never needed to move it off 50hz to get the sound that I am after. As mentioned before, I bought this bass to use on some songs instead of my precision, although I now use this bass more and more. It's also been a big hit with the band.

The action was high when I purchased this from the shop. I tried it at rehearsals and I have since lowered it from the bridge and re-strung and it is now more to my likening. I don't think it will go as low as my P-bass but it's close enough.
The binding on the body and the overall finish is extremely good and everytime that I have used it, it always gets a mention from the audience.
This is the first bass that I've ever used where it is neck heavy. I would second the fact that you need to be careful on your choice of strap with this bass. It took me three straps to get truly comfortable.

So far so good. I also bought the tailored hard case for this bass which although expensive, it is also well made and worthy of the investment.

No need so far but I am impressed by the overall quality of this bass.

I've used a number of P'Bass' and Musicman Stingrays and this is my first move into semi-acoustic. Before I purchased it, I tried this bass out against the Ibanex Artcore series and in my opinion, it stood head and tails above these and was worthy of the price difference. As mentioned before, this is becoming more and more my favourite 'go to' bass.

Epiphone Jack Casady Bass. Made in Korea, 34" scale set-in neck, trapezoid pearloid inlays, 2+2 headstock, maple semi-hollow bodied guitar, gold top, mahagony back, single low impedance passive elektar pickup, single volume, single tone, and varitone control.
Supertone 3 pt. bridge.

I've played for over 40 years, including mostly blues, jazz, R&B, classic, country and funk. I use this guitar with a 1967 Fender Bassman with 2X15" Emminence speakers and an Ampeg SVT. This bass delivers a solid, articulate sound that suits my style. This bass is whisper quiet for studio work. This bass can rumble low tones with the best of them. I am simply amazed at the tone of this guitar. Every band member is amazed at the sound of this guitar. They love it when I play this. At this time, I play a '64 Fender Jazz Bass, an Ibanez SRX model and I'm having a hard time remembering I have them. I have been playing this Epiphone much more than the others I've been playing for years. I'm amazed at that fact.

SET-UP: When I accepted delivery of this guitar, the action was acceptable, but I thought it could be better. Upon measuring the flatness of the neck, it could use a slight adjustment. I opened up the truss rod nut at the headstock and discovered it was completely loose, so I gave it a turn and it began to grip the wood. I gave it another 1/2 turn, waited a day and restrung the instrument. Now, the action is not just good, but incredible. I do not have any issues with high frets. I also adjusted the pickup to within 1/8" of the strings and I now have even more performance.

I can play with a pick and I can do fingerstyle, but I can't do any funky slappin' on this guitar.

I just love the way the neck feels on this guitar. It takes just a soft touch to complete the note. The neck is fast, solid and easy to move.

FIT: When I strapped this guitar on, I couldn't decide whether to wear it high or to sling it low. I went about mid way and now my playing hand falls right between the pickup and the end of the neck.

One thing I discovered is that this guitar is neck heavy and a wide strap is essential to keep neck dive to a minimum.

Overall, this guitar was set up wonderfully and the finish was flawless, especially the back and the neck. The edge binding is beautiful and I get many comments on this guitar. Everytime I take it out of the case, someone goes, Oooooooooo..

I play live with this bass for every gig. This is not a backup bass, it's one of my main gig axes. I can't believe it. I'm playing an Epiphone as my main axe.

I am having a minor issue with maintaining the snugness of the input jack. About every third gig, it becomes loose. I have to remember to carry a small tool to tighten if it is needed. I just hope it doesn't short out or hollow out the wood where it sits. so for this, I'm taking a point away.

The strap buttons seem solid, but I use heavy leather straps and I haven't had an issue.

As far as the finish, I keep it polished every time I use it. I make it a point to clean off sweat and fingerprints before it's put to bed in it's case.

I haven't had to contact them.

If this bass were lost, I would have to get another one. I love it. I love it's looks, it playabiilty, it's sound, it's weight and the tone it gives me. I've played Fender J-basses, P-basses, Tele-bass, Ibanez SRX and BTB, Rickenbacker 4003, Gibson EB-3, an old Ampeg open headstock (heavy), Spector, and a Schecter Elite.

I really like this guitar. For the niche I've given it, I rank it higher in bass tone that the Fender Tele-bass and the P-bass. It's sound it vintage and very pleasing. It's not the funkiest guitar I've played or the grittiest/growling guitar I've played, but I really like this guitar.

I recently received my Jack Casady Bass and it came in flawless condition with an absolute perfect set-up. I really enjoy this bass and it's fun to play. That being said, I feel that too many of these reviews are not thinking serious when giving a rating. A 7/10 is a good bass. An 8/10 bass would be a USA Fender P Bass or a Ricky or Gibson. 9/10 basses would be a Gretch G6136B White Falcon with TV Jones pickups and a B7G Bigsby or a G6128B Thunder Jet with same set up. 10/10 is saved for those vintage guitars that make you drool (like the 1968 USA made Gretsch White Falcon or an original 1958 Gold Top Les Paul in mint condition). Having said that, I would defintely recommend that any bass player add a Jack Casady to his/her collection.

Mine is a late '90s model -one of the first of these basses shipped. Gold color, single pickup, and varitone.

It is one of my main go-to basses for recording work because it has a warm, sweet, and solid tone. I ussally set it on the lowest varitone impedance setting -50ohms (I think it is). The 50ohm setting, with the tone control backed off just a little bit, yields a sound that suits ballads and tunes that need a warm, present, and expressive bass sound --I use this setting ALOT. The middle varitone setting is also nice when turned up and overdriving preamps for rock tunes. Very versatile with the varitone switch --it just gets puffier and louder with each higher setting. The JCB can get one of the warmest and silkiest P-style tones at the lowest varitone setting, and sound like a thundering Gibson Bass on the highest varitone setting.

It came with a nice case, ok setup, and roundwounds. I had to replace the volume pot (a 2.5kohm I believe) because it was intermittent. Don't shy away because of a pot problem/easy fix. They sent me another soon.

Dependable/solid build.

Got the pot quickly.

I've played bass for a living for 30 years. I'm lucky in that I own some of the nicest vintage and modern recording basses available. Of all of them, this JCB, my James Tyler Bass, and my vintage stock P Bass get the most use. IMHO the JCB is the best sounding production bass to come out in many, many years. The great design and feel of the JCB is so strong that the sound is not overtly affected by the odd high fret or control pot issue typical of a mass produced bass -which it is. I'm going to have mine Plekked because it is truly a fine bass and deserves the best attention to details like pro fret-work. Importantly, the Jack Casady Bass sounds best with LaBella flatwounds--trust me, don't use roundwounds on this bass -you won't realize the potential tone of the bass if you use rounds. The LaBella light-gauge 104-43 set is best or the 105-45 set works, too. The heavier 109 or 110 LaBella set doesn't sound as rich as the lighter LaBella sets on my bass.

For feature details see other reviews. This is a simple bass in the sense that it has one pick-up and two controls. Nice feature is the three-way impedance switch, which gives you tonal variation (bright -> thunderous) that would otherwise require fuddling with your amp settings.
If you're into hollow bodied basses: the looks are great. I have the gold top.

The sound is warm and deep, but the main reason I bought it was its articulateness. If you are a melodic or virtuoso bass player then you will find that your efforts come through better / easier than, for instance, on a P-bass. The downside, of course, is that if you're not (yet) a skilled bass player, you'll probably find this a merciless instrument: there is just no soggyness to hide behind;-)
I don't know how the clarity was achieved technically, but soundwise it seems a combination of some mid-tone emphasis and general 'cleannes': no humming, rattling, buzzing etc.
I think this bass especially suites blues, rock and probably also jazz(rock). If you are a slapper or play anything beyond hardrock, you might want to look for something else.

The frets buzzed because the neck was too straight and the action too low. After some adjustment by the shop owener tghe bass was fine. Another Jack Casady I tried (the black one was on store as well) had a rattling pick guard, and sounded less good.
Instrument quality seems somewhat of an issue: I thought of buying online but I'm glad I went to a shop. The owner told me that Epiphone's current (Korean) manufacturer of the Jack Casady bass is much better than previous ones: before he had occassional quality complaints (also see other reviews), but lately he received none.

The deep, articulate sound is what makes this bass excellent; in its price range, the Jack Casady bass really stands out. However, there is some inconsistency between the excellent design and sound quality on the one hand, and instrument quality on the other. Just check your purchase well and you'll have great value for money.
I have about 23 years of experience as a bass player; I play in a blues band. If we get old school or jazzy, I use a fretless Gretsch Broadkaster (also reviewed in Harmony central). The Jack Casady replaces a Tokai Hard Puncher P-bass (also reviewed in Harmony central). I'm very happy with this bass and can recommend it to anyone.

jack cassady semi hollow body bass, passive electronics.

i play this bass through an all tube ampeg svt classic and it sounds awesome. it sound cuts through the mix nicely and really pushes the tubes well without losing any of the bassy undertones.

i bought this bass used and from the other reviews i have read i am lucky to only have one fret that buzzes. it seems to me like buying used is the way to go that way someone else has to deal with the set-up. when i bought it the volume pot was shot so i got it replaced and the new one just doesnt adjust the volume at all( seriously its like an on off switch). other than that it is a fine bass.

i toured with this bass for a month without a back up and it never gave me a single problem. once you get all the initial bugs worked out you will never have to worry about it again.

never dealt with them

when i bought this bass at a pawn shop i knew virtually nothing about it and had only been playing for about 6 months.the bass i had before it was a schecter 004 which it blew away as far as sound and looks. i love everything about hollow body basses and this is a great one to start out with, its affordable and reliable and it kicks ass.

jack cassady signature bass gold in colour. laminated body, spliced neck that is set.

this bass has just as the manufacture says a deep and articulate sound. but just not the sound i like. Its not warm and fat its more horn like and dark and it articulates this well but dose not sit well in a mix full of vocals and harmonys. Its feels nice to play but to me sounds pretty much the same what ever the inpedence setting and definately needs flat wound strings to even start to overcome the problems metioned obove. My late 80's squire p bass leaves this bass behind for warmth and punch which is why i thought i wanted a hollow bass to start with.

the action on this bass is very good , feels fantastic to play. It wasn't untill i got this bass home that i realised after shining the neck under my desk lamp that it had a spliced neck, cheep and nasty like a cheep guitar but its not all that cheep to purchase, hard to believe after they put a set neck on it. however its strong point is its action and nice neck feel.

I have been playing drums for thirty years or so and taken to puting down my own bass tracks in the last decade or so. I purchased this bass to replace a 1972 gibson less paul signature bass of the same type that was stolen and the cassady bass did not fill that gap This is a cheep sounding bass that i would describe as mutton dressed as lamb. I have since found happness in standard p basses made of ash that give me fat warm punch that just sits well in my mixes.

I got this on ebay after waiting quite a while for the gold one. All standard features. I put Fender Flat wounds on it. It is a very good looking instrument.

I bought the hard shell case. Very nice.

I've had this bass for about six months. It is really fabulous. I'm a P bass kinda guy, and I've tried a variety of active basses over the years, including Music Man. I never really got the hang of active circuitry, even though I dig the versatilty.

The JC gives me the versatilty, but at a more easy to tame level for recording and playing lives. The flat wounds sound really good when played with a pick. Although this bass also shines finger style.

Seems fine.

Seems fine.

I've been looking at this bass for a long time as I really dig Jack Casady. This bass is a keeper. I love it.

I bought this new in 2007. Made in Korea, four string hollow body bass with a 20 fret 34 inch scale neck. Controls include a three way tone selector and volume and tone pots. The bass has one high output humbucker pup.

The body has a gold metallic finish on the top, with white binding on top and back. The sides and back of the body and back of the neck are finished in a dark burgundy lacquer.

The bridge is that gawd-awful three point abhomination that Gibson insists on using. The tuners are nickel-finish Kluson style. I bought the optional hard case, which weighs a ton but is nicely made.

Despite the pup configuration, this is not a one-trick pony. Rolling off the tone control adds warmth, and the three position selector 50/100/250 settings ranges from vintage to modern to very bright and aggressive. The output on this pup is HOT. It almost sounds like and active pup.

I play classic rock, and this is a very usable bass. I'm running it through a Traynor YBA 200 tube head and Avatar 2x10 and 1x15 Neo cabs. With the stock round wound strings, it sounds bright and round, but without the boominess that can come with a hollow body bass.

The bass came from with a decent set up. I needed to raise the action a bit, as I hit the strings pretty hard. Adjusting the bridge is a trick until you get used to it. I raised the front bolts and lowered the rear two to increase the break angle of the strings passing over the saddles. This really helps the sustain.

Overall fit and finish is nice. I'm not madly in love with the burgundy finish on the back, sides and neck, as it shows smudges easily. The metallic gold top is a classy touch.

I've played the bass live and have no worries about taking it on stage. It's well-made and should stand up well to normal wear and tear. I replaced the stock strap buttons with Schaller strap locks, as I do with all my basses. The truss rod is stable since my first adjustment.

I'm sure the bass is reliable enough to gig on it's own, but I always bring a back-up bass.

I haven't had any issues yet, so N/A.

I've been playing since 1977. The Epi is rubbing elbows with a T-bird, '62 Jazz reissue, '79 Franken-P/J, Ric 4001, and MIJ semi-hollow fretless P-bass and a recent '51 P-bass reissue. It's not my favorite, but I'm quite fond of it.

I've had other hollow body basses before (Harmony H-22, Lyle, German Hohner fretless) and this is the most playable and versatile.

I love the tone and the looks. This is a sharp bass. The long 34 inch scale is nice to find in a hollow body. I hate the bridge. I mean, I really hate it and would swap it out but I really try to keep my basses stock.

Mine is a metallic gold. It has basic features as everyone has stated, but it has got all you need. I've seen the bass advertised as having a mahogany neck and as having a maple neck. I emailed Epiphone/Gibson to ask if the neck was mahogany or maple and I never got a definate answer. I like Gibson necks so whatever the neck is made out of I like it anyway. The variable impedence pickup is this bass' unique feature and selling point. I thought the strings that came with it were fine but I wanted flats so I put on a set of TI Jazz Flats. I think these strings are the best for this bass. I bought a case too.

I absolutely love this bass. I prefer the pickup switch to be on 50 for a rich full bodied tone. At 250 the tone gets a little thinner and at 500 the tone is a bit overdriven. I had the bass for four months now and I've almost always kept the pickup on 50. I play original Americana/folk rock/alt country stuff through tube heads (Univox and Traynor YBA200) or my recently purchased Yamaha BBT500H. There is a little variety with the varible impedence switch but mostly this bass is a thumpin machine not a slapper. This is my favorite bass of the different ones I owned - Fender 51 reissue, 62 American Vintage Jazz, American Precision, Gibson - 68 EB0 and Thunderbird, and Jerry Jones Longhorn.

Factory set up for the neck and strings was fine. The variable switch was loose and the tone knob is on a little crooked. There are flaws in the paint job, with some globs on the f holes and overspray on the binding. The frets are OK with no buzz. Pickup was set OK. I don't like how the gold paint spreads up on the neck around the joint, but oh well. The USA inspection could have been better IMO.

I think the bass should be durable. I don't move around much on stage and I'm very careful with my investments. I wipe the bass down after I play. It is a hollowbody so as long as I'm careful it should last a good long time.

The emailed me back the same day in response to my neck question. Their response was "I'm not sure" and "I'll get back to you." They never got back to me. At least they acknowledged me.

This bass is fantastic. I absolutely love it and I am neglecting all of my other basses. Its basic and gets the job done with a heavenly tone. It looks cool too. I highly recommend this bass.