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Epiphone Jack Casady Really is All That
- Thread starter ThuzzleFump
- Start date
Even though mine is not an Epi I can confidently agree with OP, as the Peerless Bassmaster is still essentially the same as the JC (they used to build them). I've only used it in rehearsal so far, but it's been most effective and favorably received by the band. It's true that it hangs more naturally against your hip than against your belly, but that hasn't been a problem at all.
Bassist4Eris
Frat-Pack Sympathizer
I noticed that Wyclef Jean played one on his NPR Tiny Desk Concert (first song)
And here's a photo of Dave Grohl rocking one:
And here's a photo of Dave Grohl rocking one:
Ductapeman
Ringmaster and Resident Geriatric
- Feb 7, 2016
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Freight Train
Earth-based Alternative Scientist, Sex Researcher
Got my JC Epi 5 years ago and it's a stunner. Since the late 60's I've basically played nothing but variations on the Precision theme - Type I Telecaster, Music Man Stingray, G&L L-10000 - so I wanted to add a different flavor. I thought the Epi would have maybe a mellow vintage kinda vibe. Wow was I wrong. It is the most aggressive, gnarly, rude bass I've ever played! It can be pretty but I love it when it's ugly! Paired with my Bassman 100T/410 Neo rig I think it's a match made in heaven. Still using it all stock and no problem with that at all. Have used Jack's recommended Dean Markley's and loved, but a few months ago I strung it with flats and now it's totally different beast. Can't decide which I like best. May have to get another one so I can have both on call.
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If you just turned it upside down and adjusted some hardware you'd have a lefty that nobody would notice is different unlike Jimi Hendrex and Mondo Neon who's upside down instruments are noticeable.Yeah, well... they'd be a whole bunch more wonderful if Epiphone would get their finger out, and make some leftys!!!!
Just kidding.
After my safari into semi hollow-bodies, I'm left with a 34" DePinto, and never had the same stability of low end on a short scale...although I love the DanElectro Longhorn, it can sort of manage with a more boomy low end. Something good happens at 34" & 35" scale, my 5s are all 35". I also prefer the DePinto's 2 p.u. sound and smaller body, otherwise I'd probably have a JC. The sound I look for just isn't on it though.
Yeah it's pretty good. I have had some scratchy pots from mine. The VariTone switch also seems to have minimal effects. I also really need to replace the tuners one of these days. The bridge also gives some concern about intonation. As you can see, I'm a bit suspect of the build quality, but mine also has a signature of a bassist very close to me so it will definitely not be sold.
I do appreciate this bass more now though since I've parted with my Squier VM P and have a 5 string now.
I do appreciate this bass more now though since I've parted with my Squier VM P and have a 5 string now.
This bass has the best tone of any I have played. You can get three awesome and different sounds just by hand placement. It was, however, just physically too large for me to play sitting or standing comfortably, and I wound up trading it for another.
I find it kinda weird how what is essentially originally a Gibson Les Paul Signature has become so closely associated with someone else's signature.
I wouldn't want to wreck a vintage Gibson with my mad mods — I really liked an Epi JC I got to try with flats so...
So give me a black Epiphone Jack Casady Les Paul Signature, then I'll yank out the frets and position markers and replace both with black pearloid; replace all chrome hardware with black hardware, black speed knobs, remove the pickguard and associated hardware, replace the binding with black pearloid, oh yeah almost forgot the black Graphtech nut and garnish it with black-tape flatwounds...
A completely blacked out JC fretless.
Or Peerless. I wasn't aware of the Peerless 'til I saw it in this thread.
Oh yeah, some more mods...
Then maybe a Darkstar pup, hotrod the varitone...
Does the Peerless come in black?
I wouldn't want to wreck a vintage Gibson with my mad mods — I really liked an Epi JC I got to try with flats so...
So give me a black Epiphone Jack Casady Les Paul Signature, then I'll yank out the frets and position markers and replace both with black pearloid; replace all chrome hardware with black hardware, black speed knobs, remove the pickguard and associated hardware, replace the binding with black pearloid, oh yeah almost forgot the black Graphtech nut and garnish it with black-tape flatwounds...
A completely blacked out JC fretless.
Or Peerless. I wasn't aware of the Peerless 'til I saw it in this thread.
Oh yeah, some more mods...
Then maybe a Darkstar pup, hotrod the varitone...
Does the Peerless come in black?
Yeh, as far as I can tell, a big diff between them is about $4,000 US. I was reading about the EJC's development and they acknowledge that the LP Sig was a big influence. Is the LP a shortscale? Looks like it from the pic to me. Regardless, the EJC is a sweet bass and as others have pointed out, the Korean ones are made by Peerless, who make superb stuff. I have a Gretsch made by them, too, and it is flawless.
Well, Jack did approach Gibson with his own ideas for modification, but there was apparently no interest. Epiphone took him up, and did a great job. Jack gets the credit for reviving an all but forgotten design, and Epi for making it a pretty successful proposition at an affordable price, working first with Peerless in Korea, and now with some trusted manufacturer in China.
No, AFAIK they only do the gold finish. I guess they've been building it mainly to use up hardware they had stocked as OEM for Epi. The original bridge says [Epiphone] on the underside.
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Too funny! I was thinking about getting another one to run roundwounds, but I'm running out of room - think I'll just swap strings.
These JCE's look heavy? Are they? What is average weight? Also does the strap attach at the heel of the neck? Does the head tend to go south? Just curious. I have never played one but they look cool.
Does not seem heavy to me. Strap at heel. My guess would be just oh the high side of 8 lb 3.5 kg, but have not weighed. It's a bit heavy for a semi hollow, but that's because it's a big bass. I think it dives a little but not enough to bother me. I have other semis that hang down when unsupported. Not like that in my experience.
High side of 8 lbs is not at all heavy, at least for me. Anything under 10 lbs. is great IMHO.
I am definitely going to investigate one of these. I have always liked semi-hollow.
Thanks.
I picked up a JCE AVRI in wine flame a few months back from Sweetwater. Weighs in around 8 lbs. Quality is first class! it's a tone monster!
Strap attaches at the heel. I use a Franklin 3" suede strap adjusted to its longest so it sits at my hip, like others have mentioned. No neck dive, doesn't rock forward.
Apparently, Peerless guitars do make a lefty version. Now it's just a question of where to find them...Yeah, well... they'd be a whole bunch more wonderful if Epiphone would get their finger out, and make some leftys!!!!