Epiphone Jack Casady bass VS. Starfire bass

[Hangman]

I have had two Casadys, foolishly sold my sunburst to help fund a double bass, I now have a goldtop, as well as 3 Starfires. The bridge bushings on the sunburst came out, but I just glued them back in, after that no problems. A common problem, I understand.
The goldtop I bought used and needed a good setup. I replace the bridge with Hipshot replacement, and plan on replacing the pots with Switchcraft, and maybe the tuners to Ultralites.
Deck-dive exits, but it's not a show-stopper.
They really are two different animals in terms of sound and 'playability'.

Sorry you had a bad experience, Mellowgerman. Quality control at Epiphone can be spotty, and I would recommend never buy a bass from Guitar Center without first putting my hands on it. It really is a good bass for the coin.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I have had two Casadys, foolishly sold my sunburst to help fund a double bass, I now have a goldtop, as well as 3 Starfires. The bridge bushings on the sunburst came out, but I just glued them back in, after that no problems. A common problem, I understand.
The goldtop I bought used and needed a good setup. I replace the bridge with Hipshot replacement, and plan on replacing the pots with Switchcraft, and maybe the tuners to Ultralites.
Deck-dive exits, but it's not a show-stopper.
They really are two different animals in terms of sound and 'playability'.

Sorry you had a bad experience, Mellowgerman. Quality control at Epiphone can be spotty, and I would recommend never buy a bass from Guitar Center without first putting my hands on it. It really is a good bass for the coin.

I, too foolishly sold my sunburst - then serendipity intervened & a few years later, I stumbled upon it on consignment at a shop & bought it back!

I've had 5 Casadys (if you count the prototype I never should have sold) - one of them had the bridge post pull - a bit of glue & no problem. I now have 2 - a sunburst & a silverburst. I haven't experienced the neck problems enumerated here.

I've also had several iterations of the Starfire & indeed "They really are two different animals in terms of sound and 'playability'." - you really need both.

 

[mavuser]

I went to the Midnight Ramble at Levon's barn the other night. Kind of weird without him. last time I was there was Levon's last public show (on my birthday), and this past Sat was one of the first without him.

anyway some of the guest musicians have been playing recently with members of the Grateful Dead, so the band decided to devote about half the set to GD songs. I thought it was interesting that as soon as they started the GD songs, the bass player broke out the Cassady Epiphone hollow bass. it sounded awesome! a lot like Phil Lesh, but not necessarily his Starfire. I suppose that is credit to the player and not the bass. but the bass sounded fantastic. I have also heard Jack play one of his at Hot Tuna shows. obviously that one sounded amazing...it shook all of Hunter Mountain during the intro to "Bowlegged Woman."

here is a link to a video of the Ramble the other night. just a quick clip. not sure if this link will work but the video is "sugaree" it pans over to the bass player. http://www.telly.com/AQK5B?fromtwitvid=1

Also another bass that is out there is the Harmony H-22 hollow body. I know someone that has one from the 60's and they play out with it all the time. it rumbles! he also just recently got a brand new re-issue of that bass which i havn't heard yet. but ive heard good things about the re-issue sound, however they say the neck is much wider than the original version, and there are a few small differences in the bridge/switches. here's a vid of Jake's old, and new H-22. in the one video u can see him at first but then he's hidden, but u can really hear the 60's bass. the other video you can see the re-issue pretty good but not hear it as well.

60s-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEeLGNwzLPw&list=PL389158B801B49688&index=6&feature=plpp_video

2011/2012-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69454nWJWI

cheers

 

[Mungi]

I think the JC bass is an amazing bass. I never had any issues with mine (it's from the late '90s). The pickup sounds amazing. Some people says it does not sound nearly as good as the Gibson LP Sig, but I doubt that. The mojo of a vintage instrument will twist your ears. Anyways, whatever the difference in sound will not justify the difference in price tag. The JC bass is probably the most value for money out there. A 2nd hand costs next to nothing. My only issue is with the neck. As far as I know, Jack does not have very big hands or long fingers. But I guess when you are a more competent player than I am these things don't matter as much. I read somewhere that there where prototypes made with a more jazz bass style of neck. I would love one of those.

 

[MARICOPAA]

Interesting that it has a Hagstrom single coil up against the neck pickup!

Just got back from a 4hr jam with some amazing musicians and I've got to say, there's a VERY good chance this thunderbird bass just became my new #1. And oh yeah, I should probably mention... well, you guys know how I have a hard time keeping instruments stock when there's a chance at some tone experimentation... well... presenting, THE MELLOBIRD! :mrgreen: