Jack Casady epiphone bass or Fender Vintera 60's?

The Hermit96

The Hermit96

Jun 5, 2022
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#1
Hi, i'm thinking about upgrading to one of these basses. I like the Jazz bass (i currently own a Squier jb vintage modified 70's) but i've been watching videos about the Jack Casady's signature Epiphone bass, and i love it's tones! but i wonder if the quality could match the Fender's, in fact i'm looking for ONE bass that can do it all or almost everything. I'm planning on playing it with flatwounds and mostly for classic rock. I'm looking for a long lasting mid-range bass with some versatility that can serve me to play my beloved classics, i love the Epiphone's tone but a Fender is a Fender even if MIM, so... Any recommendations?
 
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#5
Another vote for Jack. It’s a standalone instrument that neither Gibson nor Epiphone has a higher level version of. In my experience the Vintera is not as nice as a Player and, in the end, Fender would rather you buy a pro or originals so it is not going to be the best they can do.

The only reason I don’t have a Jack Casady is that I don’t have a place for it at this time. I’m tempted every time I see one though. And if you want another competitor at that price range take a look at the Yamaha BB. It’s a well built versatile bass that gets a lot of respect here.
 
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#6
The Hermit96 said:
Hi, i'm thinking about upgrading to one of these basses. I like the Jazz bass (i currently own a Squier jb vintage modified 70's) but i've been watching videos about the Jack Casady's signature Epiphone bass, and i love it's tones! but i wonder if the quality could match the Fender's, in fact i'm looking for ONE bass that can do it all or almost everything. I'm planning on playing it with flatwounds and mostly for classic rock. I'm looking for a long lasting mid-range bass with some versatility that can serve me to play my beloved classics, i love the Epiphone's tone but a Fender is a Fender even if MIM, so... Any recommendations?
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My Vote goes for the jack Cassidy.

you can tell that a lot of labor goes into making them - I’d even go as far as to say that they are a steal at the price they sell new.

Also , when you say “a fender is a fender “ , I’ll bet that 99% of the audience will prefer to look at a JC on stage , than a fender. People listen with their eyes , and I’ll tell you right now a JC is one of the nicest looking basses around.
 
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#8
The Hermit96 said:
Hi, i'm thinking about upgrading to one of these basses. I like the Jazz bass (i currently own a Squier jb vintage modified 70's) but i've been watching videos about the Jack Casady's signature Epiphone bass, and i love it's tones! but i wonder if the quality could match the Fender's, in fact i'm looking for ONE bass that can do it all or almost everything. I'm planning on playing it with flatwounds and mostly for classic rock. I'm looking for a long lasting mid-range bass with some versatility that can serve me to play my beloved classics, i love the Epiphone's tone but a Fender is a Fender even if MIM, so... Any recommendations?
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I've been a jazz bass user for 25+ years but also own and play the Casady bass. The Fender is far more practical; it's much easier to carry around, more comfortable when strapped on, and always sounds good within the mix. The Casady bass requires a bulky hard case, the Fender can easily fit into a gig bag. The Casady isa set neck design with a tilt-back headstock so you have to be pretty careful with it. The Fender you can literally throw down the stairs and it won't even so much go out of tune. The Casady has a really cool/unique tone. But it is prone to low-end feedback. It also neck-dives when playing standing up.

I really love the Casady bass, but the Fender is just a better overall choice for everyday use and will fit in just about any gigging situation. The Casady is a little more specialized and that's a totally good thing.
 
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#10
The Hermit96 said:
...i'm looking for ONE bass that can do it all or almost everything. I'm planning on playing it with flatwounds and mostly for classic rock. I'm looking for a long lasting mid-range bass with some versatility that can serve me to play my beloved classics...
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I gotta be "that guy" here - I think you might wanna consider a good Pbass. It's precisely what you've described here.
 
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#11
ToddB1963 said:
Keep the Squire and get the Casady
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I agree (assuming there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the Squire, like a bad neck).

I have a (fretless Frankenstein) Jazz and a Casady, love 'em both. Yes, the ergonomics of the Casady took a little getting used to - the first time I tried one I was, like, "nope, no way." But when I finally broke down and bought mine I got used to it pretty quickly.

Get a nice used one, if you decide you don't like it you can probably get back what you paid for it. I bought mine a couple years ago, now you can't touch one for the price I paid then.
 
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#12
For what you talked about, the Jack Casady all day. I'm not even a big old school tones kind of player and I LOVED it. I LOVE Js, but I think for your kind of music you don't need all the versatility a J is capable of. Why not branch out and get a bass that's less common then? I'm personally eyeing a JC as my go-to old school tones bass and I'm typically more of a modern, active bass kind of player.

In terms of neck dive, I've read that Gotoh makes lightweight tuners that drop right in. I put lightweight Gotohs on my main bass; the install was 10 mins and they do make a noticeable difference in comfort. Hipshot also makes a bridge for Gibsons and Epiphones if you wanna get even more modern conveniences.
 
#13
jd56hawk said:
Jack Casady, all the way...one of the most versatile and expressive basses out there.
Black tapewounds on this one.
Better price, too...even at $899 I'd go with the Epiphone.
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Is that the hipshot bridge? I've read some people saying they're a little finicky to install on the JC, but I don't know if that's people exaggerating or not.
 
#14
6-3-2 said:
Is that the hipshot bridge? I've read some people saying they're a little finicky to install on the JC, but I don't know if that's people exaggerating or not.
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I had no problem installing the Hipshot bridge on my JC. There is a very slight curve to the top where the bridge goes (vs the flat bottom on the bridge). I just screwed it down tight and it was absolutely stable - and a huge improvement over messing with that awful Gibson/Epi three point menace.
 
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#15
Been a primarily JB guy for 47 years, with some EBMM added in. Recently got a used JCB - great decision. Ergonomics were fixed for me by moving that strap pin to the upper bout (epoxy fix).

Bandmates love the tone and looks. Just a fun bass to play, and sits in the pocket with some attitude.
 
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#16
I've tried out the Casady in stores once or twice and I'd like to ask the owners about the neck -- isn't it a non-standard, almost Hofner-y length and/or width? Or did I imagine that? Thanks.
 
#17
I’ve got a MIM Jazz and a JC. If I had to sell one, the Jazz would go first. I love the tone of the JC. It’s more versatile than the Jazz. A very experienced BL friend told me that my JC is the best sounding bass he’s ever heard.
 
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