Epiphone Jack Casady Really is All That

#62
Looks great. Did you notice any tone changes when you swapped in the Hipshot bridge? Also, is it a two or three-point model? Have read other threads where it sounds like people are using two-point. Thanks!
 
#63
ThuzzleFump said:
Looks great. Did you notice any tone changes when you swapped in the Hipshot bridge? Also, is it a two or three-point model? Have read other threads where it sounds like people are using two-point. Thanks!
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Thanks. It's a 3 point, I installed felt pads to compensate for the curvature of the top, I find it much more resonant, with sustain for days. Love the ease of adjustment on it too. Waiting on one to be delivered for my epi Tbird classic pro iv.
 
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#65
Axstar said:
The Varitone is a 3-way rotary switch that selects between taps on either side of the transformer within the Casady bass. All you are doing is altering the impedance. The pickup in a Casady is low-impedance, and the varitone and transformer are the last two components before the output jack. From what I understand it basically bolsters the impedance of the pickup so that you can use the bass with normal amplification.

The Bisonic pickup is a high impedance pickup, so doesn't need the additional circuitry to work.
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Thanks.

I thought the varitone was just a bunch of different cap values to select from. Will have to explore the onboard transformer more.
 
#66
Feral Feline said:
Thanks.

I thought the varitone was just a bunch of different cap values to select from. Will have to explore the onboard transformer more.
Click to expand...

You've described the function of a Varitone used in Gibson guitars. I don't know if Gibson use the phrase liberally across their product range or not. The Casady bass is a semi-accurate reproduction of the Les Paul Signature bass, and in the advert I can find it is simply called a 'tone switch'. I think a true Varitone is the switch and capacitors, paired with an inductor. If you just have the switch and caps it is a 'decade switch', though I don't know who coined this phrase.
 
#67
Feral Feline said:
Thanks.

I thought the varitone was just a bunch of different cap values to select from. Will have to explore the onboard transformer more.
Click to expand...
As mentioned above, a true varitone has switchable caps and an inductor, which cuts midrange frequencies. The vernacular for varitone often just refers to switchable treble cut caps (like a Tonestyler). The JC has neither of these--it has an impedance switch, allowing the pickup to go from low to high(er) impedance. This results in different tones because the amp 'sees' the bass differently, depending on the pickup impedance.
 
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#69
Here's a schematic that I downloaded from ... somewhere ... on TB. Search function didn't find it easily, so instead of referencing the post where I found it, I'll just upload another copy.
jcbschematic.gif
 
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#75
StatesideRambler said:
That anniversary red really has my eye! I have a blue royale but I haven't yet convinced my wife that I should have that red one and a white one so I have a patriotic complete set.
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I agree with you that the red one is really beautiful. A patriotic set would be neat, tho it would only make "sense" if, say, they were strung differently, e.g. one rounds, one flats, one tapes.
 
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#77
StatesideRambler said:
This is TB! What's "sense" got to do with anything? I hadn't played rounds in more than thirty years when I got my JCB last March and I'm loving them on this mighty fine bass! But, yeah, I would definitely want three JCBs strung as you say.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of how to explain it to the spouse, that's all. I have thirty five or so basses and have kept the same wife for almost twenty years, so I may be doing something right. ;)
 
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#78
PS, I just noticed in your sig that you and I both have a Minimark. I love that little amp. I think it's not appreciated for how great it actually is. IMO the unusual form factor throws a lot of people off.
 
#79
I got the Minimark from a guy who used it with double bass. He's got a music PhD and is now the director of a conservatory somewhere. I figured that an amp that would work for him would work for me and mamma mia, it sure does! It works very nicely with the JCB, too. Since I have the CMD121P for jams and gigs I may sell the Minimark, though, and get a Micromark 801 to use in my home office. I really can't justify it but I love the notion of putting it on the shelf among the books! Can't do that with a Minimark, eh?

Oh, my Mrs. and I are forty years together and still like each others' company. She's OK with my assertion that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. WINNER!!
 
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#80
Thanks Axstar & Fermata for the info as well as Rickdog & Cdef for schematic and diagram respectively.

Decade switch term comes from the solder-sniffers' decade box:
Decade box - Wikipedia

"Decade" — I think because you get 10 different values to each knob (though there are other rotary switches that have more/less discrete settings).

You can buy them, but I think it's more interesting to make one myself to better meet my own needs.



Build a Resistor/Capacitor Selection Box

Make a Variable Resistor With 1 Million Settings

Project: DIY Resistor Substitution Decade Box | KJ6CQC Missoula, MT

13006-04.jpg


Then again, not sure what my needs are just yet...
Might just get Parasit Studio's PCB:

rcbox04_orig.jpg


or a kit:
NEW KIT - Silicon Chip Resistor/Capacitor Decade Box

resistor-capacitor-decade-box-kit-from-tronixlabs-australia-500.jpg





I'm sure there's other kits or DIY ideas out there.
 
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