The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Chris P. on August 07, 2024, 01:30:17 AM

Title: JCS Fretless
Post by: Chris P. on August 07, 2024, 01:30:17 AM
Epiphone just anounced a fretless JCS. It has a nice burst too. Would be cool to see that colour fretted too.


https://www.guitarworld.com/news/epiphone-jack-casady-fretless-bass
https://www.epiphone.com/nl-NL/p/Electric-Bass/Jack-Casady-Fretless-Bass/Aged-Royal-Tan
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: Basvarken on August 07, 2024, 04:47:19 AM
Love it. Looks awesome
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: Grog on August 07, 2024, 06:34:21 AM
Nice! A friend has an Epiphone fretless EB-1 (short scale), it was fun to play. It will be interesting to try this one.....
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: Ken on August 07, 2024, 07:27:18 AM
I wonder what strings they're using.  The Epiphone site say .050, .075, .085, .105.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: gearHed289 on August 07, 2024, 08:36:22 AM
Huh. I saw one on Reverb, but didn't click on it. I figured someone replaced the fingerboard. Apparently, Epiphone is now Gibson's bass division. They come out with a lot of cool stuff. I'm still waiting for an Epi Gene Simmons EB0.  :-*
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: uwe on August 07, 2024, 10:44:54 AM
That's a nice and sensible alternative to put out. I could see it work well with the core JCS sound, especially if they retain a maho neck.

The Epi JCS is now a more enduring and commercially successful bass than the Gibson LPS, a niche model, ever was - I guess it has become a modern classic and is often played by people who could actually afford a more expensive bass, but simply love the Epi's look, sound and general vibe. Well-done by Epi!

Nice that they have retained the moderate price-tag too.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: ilan on August 07, 2024, 02:21:02 PM
I guess they've done their market research but I'm pretty convinced that almost all fretless playes need a bridge pickup. This bass is a bit like a Flying V with just a neck pickup.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: uwe on August 07, 2024, 02:45:11 PM
I never use just the bridge pup on my fretless basses (I might dial it in a little) - yikes! Jaco was an innovator and a gifted technician, but let's move on, he's been dead for 37 years now.

Besides, for Gibson/Epi standards, the pup positioning of the JCS is "almost bridge"  :mrgreen:, it's all relative.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: Alanko on August 07, 2024, 03:05:16 PM
This appeals! Not the right time in my life to be buying any instruments, but in a virtually acoustic band this would be a nicer alternative to a small format electric upright bass.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: godofthunder on November 07, 2024, 04:10:42 AM
 Missed you guys! I had a chance to try out the Epi fretless Jack Casady and man do I love it, it's high on my want list. Here's my thoughts on it. https://youtu.be/oZvk-wkM8fY?si=FebENSkRMdRI_GNN
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: uwe on November 18, 2024, 05:44:59 PM
Trust Scott to get an overdriven/distorted sound even out of a fretless hollow-body!  :mrgreen:

I might not be in his kiss,


but it's certainly in his hands!
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: godofthunder on November 30, 2024, 05:15:30 AM
Quote from: uwe on November 18, 2024, 05:44:59 PMTrust Scott to get an overdriven/distorted sound even out of a fretless hollow-body!  :mrgreen:

I might not be in his kiss,


but it's certainly in his hands!
I am what I am!
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: uwe on November 30, 2024, 02:52:49 PM
And we wouldn't want you any other way, you Gloria of Overdrive/Scott of Thunder!

Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: hieronymous on December 08, 2024, 05:49:16 PM
I had to go to Tokyo to finally see one in person!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54192177633_d18db11357_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54192180953_290b160162_z.jpg)

Shoulda taken a pic of the upper side of the neck - I did go back and it looks like 3-5-7-9-12 etc. markers where the fret would be, though I didn't play it so can't confirm 100%
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: Dave W on December 08, 2024, 10:32:28 PM
That two-tone sunburst is really nice, and I'm not usually a fan of sunbursts.
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: copacetic on December 09, 2024, 02:32:11 PM
I first saw the info on these back in July. When I enquired on several different sites, the reply was not is stores s of today I have not been notified of it's availability. I think a few had hit some stores on a very limited run. I saw God of Thunder's review and from what I understand it was in store...or?
Title: Re: JCS Fretless
Post by: hieronymous on December 09, 2024, 06:01:59 PM
Quote from: Dave W on December 08, 2024, 10:32:28 PMThat two-tone sunburst is really nice, and I'm not usually a fan of sunbursts.

Agreed!