So, I found this beauty on local market, sold for just about 200 US$. It's a steal deal, as it's not usually popped up here in Indonesia. The seller said all part original except the pickup. And, he said that there's no varitone knob. Is it a real deal? Because I found the Epiphone Jack Casidy still priced twice from that. I can't identify is it true or not because I never play them before. I'll include some picture, please help me so everyone who own this can help me.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Epiphone Jack Cassidy Question for Anyone Who Own It
- Thread starter tyohars
- Start date
Looks like the real deal, and the reason it's so cheap is those "upgrades". But yeah, at that price, I'd hit it. Hard and fast. 
Looks like it could be real but the point of the Cassidy, to me, is the electronics so, up to you. I’m sure it would be a good playing bass as is. Hopefully, whoever opened her up did a decent job on replacing the electronics.
Incidentally, the original setup doesn’t have a Varitone, strictly speaking. It’s a step up transformer to convert the low impedance pickup to high impedance and the transformer has three different output taps. That’s what is being selected with the rotary switch.
Incidentally, the original setup doesn’t have a Varitone, strictly speaking. It’s a step up transformer to convert the low impedance pickup to high impedance and the transformer has three different output taps. That’s what is being selected with the rotary switch.
Without the Varitone knob it's not a Jack Casady bass.
However, it just might be a Jack Cassidy bass.
People know that his son David played guitar, but few knew he played bass.
However, it just might be a Jack Cassidy bass.
People know that his son David played guitar, but few knew he played bass.
Looks like the real deal, and the reason it's so cheap is those "upgrades". But yeah, at that price, I'd hit it. Hard and fast.
Thanks for the input man!
The seller said Epiphone the one that change the pickup. It's stamp with 2nd on the back. He said the varitone know missing but I can attached a knob because the only one missing is just the varitone knob. He said the pickup similar to the original. And, can I attached knob replacement for the varitone?
The next step...play it and see how it sounds and feels.
Some people aren't comfortable with that body style, but it might fit you just fine.
Some people aren't comfortable with that body style, but it might fit you just fine.
Well it's more than just the knob it's the switch and electronics behind it but yes it is possible to restore it though finding parts can be a problem.
It might be possible to reinstall original electronics. At one point, I believe you could only get replacements from Epiphone by sending in damaged units, which would possibly be why someone removed the pickup and transformer from this one. Also, the potentiometers are a different value then “standard” although I can’t remember what the number is at the moment. Lower then 250K though.
And, yes, Cassady. Spell check got me and I forgot to proofread before I posted.
Oh yeah, any knob that matches the shaft will work, but a black chickenhead would be perfect. More interesting is how the electronics designed for the low impedance JC pickup will affect the "who knows what it is" replacement pickup...
FWIW, JC pickups and electronics do show up on ebay and reverb from time to time - either scavenged, parted out, or someone else decided on similar "upgrades". I have a couple of spare set.
I would say that it is a real Casidy but they had some problems going through quality control. They were very strict with these and there were quite a few seconds and I have seen this pickup used in other seconds. I don't know if they had enough pickups to go around so if they did find a problem with the electronics they used this pick up. Now on the flip side I have heard of some people removing the stock electronics, all of it, and replacing it with better pots, wiring and using a Guild Bisonic pickup, or Darkstar pickup, which was Jacks former favorite pickup. I hope that this helps! I love mine.
Sooooo.... are you saying I can’t spell Jack’s last name with or without spell check?
Because, apparently, I can’t. I’m just checking to see if that’s what you’re saying.
Nope, not saying you can't spell Jack's last name. Just noticing that you and Epiphone spell it differently, so that must mean that at least one of you got it wrong.Sooooo.... are you saying I can’t spell Jack’s last name with or without spell check?
Because, apparently, I can’t. I’m just checking to see if that’s what you’re saying.
