Great overview of this wonderful bass. For anyone that owns this bass, it's well worth spending the bucks on a set of Thomastik-Infeld Jf344 Jazz Flatwound strings. They are the perfect match for this instrument.
Ya the semi-hollow thing is brilliant for synth sounds. Those basses give a stronger fundamental frequency without a lot of overtones ands thats why they play so well with FX. Discovered that myself by accident but then saw Ian Alison doing it and explaining why that is so . Great editing on this video btw made me laugh
I thought the purpose of semi-acoustic anything was to increase the overtones by the vibration of the thin wood adding extra frequency distributions. Ask a violinist.
Man when I first saw these epiphones come out I loved them, but after hearing it I REALLY love them. You did a very good job of making me want this bass! Great playing and video!
Great review, I'd say one of your best ones so far (as in, now I want this bass!). It'd be great if you can do a review of the Harley Benton one for humans on a budget like me haha
I have been playing this bass for 5 months with some Flats on it. Love the sound, the sustain, the color and size of it. I need to change out the bridge. Also the case fits like a glove and has held up very well with transporting and having small children that stand on it lol
Great video!! I love the editing and humor you have in your videos you definitely put a lot of work in how do you not have more subs!!! We’ll get ya there!!
I just bought myself a Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster, semi-hollowbody. It's so light. And, with a couple of mods, will be the Perfect Telecaster for me. All my Basses are solid-body, at the moment. 🎼🎼🎵🎵🎸🎸
I bought a goldtop one in 2009, and at that time the sides back and necks were all black, so I was a bit jealous when they released the models with the mahogany natural finish. Apart from that, I'm more of a guitarist but I love Jack Casady (I had the chance to see Hot Tuna live in France near where I live) and I love this bass. Even its shape which can seem imposing, I like it. The bass vibrates in the hands, it has a real presence and on stage it's gorgeous in any color (except black maybe, buts the's been others colors like green and silverbust depending on the years). The only problem I had was the neck diving. Not that I have trouble playing with it standing up, but two people to whom I had lent it dropped the neck an it hit the ground. For me, holding the neck in my hand is instinctive without even thinking about it, but apparently this is not the case for everyone. So I put some strap locks in and here it is being repaired. I hope to get it back quickly. What should be noted is that this bass was originally a Gibson model stamped "Les Paul". Adam Clayton has one, and Brian Ray often uses the Epiphone model with Paul McCartney on stage. You can see it on his Wikipedia page.
You probably know that way back when Jack Cassady found a gold finished mid 1970's Gibson Les Paul Signature bass & fell in love with it. He bought back-ups in pawn shops any where he went. Then he got Epiphone to reissue as a JC signiture model. Not kicking about that & glad to see the reissue.for the whole world's sake. Not bragging, but I found an original Gibson LP Signature roughly the same time Jack found his -- I LOVE IT (as well as Jack's playing) and still use it to this day.
I watched several videos on this bass... everyone seems to complain about the neck dive. I held it in playing position while talking to the guy, I admit, it got heavy. But when I got home and installed the strap, no neck dive. It's the zero gravity strap but it holds it in position. Man this is a great sounding bass. My first hollow body.
You will also find Casady playing with Hendrix and Winwood on the Voodoo Chile track of Electric Ladyland. The Casady bass is a hollow body but with a center block under the bridge only. So it is an unusual hybrid in that respect. If you watch videos of the early British Invasion many bassists are playing Gibson EB2s in various configurations. My favorite of those had neck and bridge pickups. A built-in mute pad. Each pickup had its own volume and tone controls. Of course a three-way selector switch. The bridge pickup was a mini humbucker. The neck looked like an oversized humbucker. It was what they called the Sidewinder. It was mostly wired as a humbucker but the sides were wired as a P90. Jealous Fender bassists called it the mudbucker but it was much more than that. If you can find one used (no longer made) check out the Gibson EB2db. Thanks for this review Johnny.
Both the Gibson EB2 and EB2-D are also semi hollow with a centre block to reduce feedback (a design from the late 1950’s just like it’s guitar cousins) so hardly a hybrid but more common place
Sorry if I was not clear. The Gibsons have a center block running all the way through the body as do most semi-hollow basses and guitars. The Casady is hollow except for a short block under the bridge to better anchor the bridge. So from the bridge to the neck there is no block. Hence, it is a hybrid. And if I recall correctly, from the bridge to the tail, or the bottom of the instrument, there is also no block. Again, hybrid. The short block under the bridge is there to give bridge added stability against the forces of tension tending to pull the bridge up. There may have been instruments like this as early as the ‘50s but they too would have to be called hybrid. Again, no center block running the length of the body. This design has a single chamber, not two hollow chambers divided by the center block. I hope this clears things up for you.
Bro, found your channel five Ich ago and i was immediatly hooked. Your humor is a must and you know enough, to present a bass, in a very entertaining way. Cool video.
I have been playing electric bass since 1970. Have an Epiphone Les Paul Special bass, a Fender Jazz and a Jack Cassady Gold top. To me the JC when muted and plucked up the neck is the closest you can get to an upright bass, plus you can play any style. The jazz almost plays itself and the LPS is like a really heavy piece of mahogany.
£629 for a Korean made bass is pretty reasonable tbh. The original bass was part of the Les Paul range of the 70s and the electronics were designed by Les for his own guitars
A semi hollowbody is simply a must for every bassist. Mine a a gorgeous 1974 MIJ Yamaha SA-75, 30.5 scale strung with TI flats and does it all but slapping one is really pointless. Jazz, blues, blue grass, rock and acoustic jams(with amp) are this Yamaha's territory.
I've got a Schecter Corsiar semi-hollow, with two EMG Tbird pickups and a two band EQ, and an exteemely playable neck. I just find myself reaching for it more and more. There's something visceral about feeling the bass resonate against your body.. I can't speak to other hollow bodies, this is the only one I've owned, but count me a fan.
Hi Jonny ,this is the first time I see this bass, I really like it...so ,thanks dude...You are a guarantee regarding the reviews...nice job ...yeah!!!👍👍✌✌
This has been a really nice review, Jonny. It seems as though this bass has inspired your playing in some alternative directions. I also want one these, but I cannot justify another purchase right now. Thanks for putting this one up thoughg, and thanks to your friend for lending you the instrument for the video.
The 250 and 500 settings sounded best to my ear, but the 50 could come in handy if you need to thin out the sound a bit. My brain has been conditioned to visually accept the pickguard, but THE FADED PELHAM BLUE LOOKS MAGNIFICENT WITHOUT IT!!! MY YELLING CAN ONLY BE CURED BY GETTING ONE OF THESE NOW.
I've been wanting that bass for a while now..I'm playing a 74 Sivertone ( last 6 years ) & it sounds & plays fantastic, and I've owned many to compare from Fender Ps to Les Paul bass..Who knew.
I got one in ebony earlier this year and it is exactly as great of an instrument as you expect it to be. the sound was punchier and louder than a lot of the videos on YT show it (they don't completely capture the sound). definitely worth the money, great instrument , versatile sound and beautiful finish
The swich impedance changes the caracteristics to input amp. The gain in the amp change. Cassady is a authentic and specially bassist. For exemple, he use sat/drive/disto I don't know how but I thinks that the swich impedance/gain of the bass have an utilitie for the sat/disto/drive of the amp.
Normally, I'm not a big fan of those three point bridges, but it looks really nice on this bass. I also think swapping it to a modern Hipshot might not be easy since the top surface is curved. Great video!
@@AirChurch - I watched a review of the new KISS Thunderbird bass yesterday that also had a Hipshot bridge, and apparently it's much lighter than it looks! It also only uses two of the three screw holes. Definitely seemed like a great replacement bridge! 😀👍
@@mightyV444 Oh, it is! I can vouch for that. I used to own an Epiphone EB-3 and replaced the bridge on it with one by Hipshot. It was a great improvement in terms of sustain and stability/adjustability, and it was also an easy mod. Then I got rid of that bass because I wanted to get something better. I still miss the growl from that massive humbucker, but I don't miss the terrible neck dive.
I bought one of these in gold top finish a couple of months ago and have just removed the pick guard after watching your video. I’m playing ti on 50 ohm with tone below 50% and finger-style. Love its kwerky unusual sound compared to my P/J Jazz bass. I read somewhere that they are being discontinued so get in quick if you want one. Love it so far!
I've always liked the look and sound of these, but the long scale kind of puts me off. Does it feel overly long? I've tried an Epiphone EB-3 which felt awful to me because the neck join is so close to the end of the body.
When Jack went to Gibson to make this bass they sent him to their other company Epiphone which I bet they regret now because it's a good bass & very good seller. Casady always sounded great using a semi-hollow body bass even back in the Airplane when he used a Guild Starfire. Casady's tone is 1 of his key features throughout his playing. It's not only what he plays but that key tone to his sound you can always tell it's him playing. Casady has the 1st Alembic bass also which can been seen here on Stanley Clarke Bass Nation ruclips.net/video/3eBDOLpIRX0/видео.html
I have a les Paul standard bass that I gig with it every show I meaning to buy this for almost 20 years and now the blue color I'm getting one soon I recommend fender nylon coated strings it gives a warm to it and if I get a jack I'll put them on them
This is the only bass model I've bought twice. I used to have a gold top which I loved, but money got tight and after a few years, I picked up the Pelham blue model
Lovely review clear explanation ,thank you! You want a suggestion for another hollow body ? How about a Cort B4 FL MHPZ, to my knowledge the only HB Bass designed as a fretless Bass … For sure would like to hear your opinion on that one ..
@@JonnyDibble Sorry, used HB to indicate Hollow Body, my request is really about the “ Cort B4 FL MHPZ” which is a fretless hollow body that also is designed as a hollow body, and for which there is no fretted version at all ..( sorry if my English is not so good, it is not my mother tongue ..) .
There’s an old epiphone ea-260 semi hollow bass out there with two pickups great sounding bass. if you find one for cheap you won’t regret it. Made in 1970’s and goes for about 500 used.
I just got one - in black! I want to switch out to flatwounds, and lower the action a tad. The previous owner plays in an acoustic hard rock band, and used an aggressive picking style, while I'm more into folk-rock, finger picking with clean warm tones. I'll probably use the 50K setting most of the time.
The Cure's Simon Gallup (also a pick player) had used semi-acoustic basses for quite a long time, before switching to the Gibson Thunderbird and his rather similar Schecter signature bass, and one of them was the Jack Casady; Being one of my main influences (along with J.J. Burnel, Adam Clayton and Geddy Lee), I've always wanted to try one out but it hasn't happened yet. A friend of mine from the opposite side of the Earth had sold a lovely black one some time ago, and I would've bought it too, had the potential shipping costs been lower. Thank you for bringing it back onto my 📡 with your video, Johnny! 😀
@@JonnyDibble - Oh I totally wanted a Thunderbird in the very early 90's! It was only when I went out to possibly buy one when I found out how freakin' expensive they are!! 😆 At least the Gibson ones (I can't remember now if the Epiphones were already around?!) But I came across a used Hamer 'Blitz' bass from the early 80's on that same day, US-made and also all-mahogany, with the fairly similar Explorer shape and high-quality Schaller hardware, and it even *sounded* a lot like a Thunderbird! So that's what I bought instead! 😁 Not so great: Its hardcase was massive and could easily be used as a coffee table 😄 Good luck with *your* Thunderbird dream! 😇👍
I don’t recall you mentioning the scale length at all? It looks short? Which makes it something even more different. These basses have been around a long time, maybe the one your friend lent you has a rosewood board? Being made in Korea suggests it’s a slightly older Epiphone, from before the time of the restrictions on rosewood?
I had an Epiphone Woody Allen Signature Bass but ended up trading it in for a Hagstrom Viking Bass. You should review one of those. It has a six way switch which changes the coils used for the output using two double coil humbuckers. Crazy amount of different tones
I've played both this and the Harley Benton HB 60 and found the Harley to be far superior. Both are visually stunning, but the HB has better tone & feel for only £210 new. Unfortunately, it only comes in one finish. A glossy red maple roast. No complaints.
That dark HB-60 looks and sounds awesome online, but I'm not too sure about that floating bridge. I like the look and sound of the Ibanez AGB200 too, I want to try one out in real life soon. Being on the lookout for a second bass, I recently went to try out a Fender P-bass. I really, really wanted to like it, but was utterly disappointed tonewise. Intriguing though how you say you found the Harley Benton superior to the Epiphone. Maybe I should take a leap of faith and buy one online without ever having played one...
@@brunocyclist Fender & Squier have released p/j configuration Precision basses that might be a option for you. I picked up the Squier version (Affinity) for £207 and I'm quite happy with it's tonal variations. Classic P bass, Jazz or hybrid mix (my favourite). As for the hollow body basses, I felt the HB outshined the Epiphone in regards to my personal preferences. Ergo, the HB ticked more boxes than the Epi at a third of the price. Nothing is better than massive amounts research, especially when buying anything you can't test drive beforehand. That being said, Thomann does have a reputable return service if the HB 60 isn't to your liking.
The Guild Starfire I blows this out of my mind, but I'm probably going for the Ibanez AFB/AGB-200 or - solid body Sire U5 Marcus Miller (if I can find one).
I have the Sparkling Burgundy version & love it,but the sticker on it says it was made in China,not Korea. Doesn’t bother me one way or another it’s a well made bass.
Honestly I never heard about semi hollow bass guitar. I thought only guitars have that kind of body. I never saw one too whenever I visit music store in my country. Now I know!
The Hofner Verythin range would be an interesting one to try out. They are not super expensive but probably hard to find. Great vid as always Jonny. 👍🏻
*THANK GOD FOR THE BIG ARROW IN THE THUMBNAIL TO SHOW ME WHERE THE BASS IS.* Nope, arrows & bright letters haven't been overdone since 2002 by every channel. *Ohwaityestheyhave*
JOHNNY!!! Love your reviews! Have you ever considered , say liked at the end of your videos, have a band playing with you! Yes?….No? The Epiphone Rumblekat bass is semi hollow without any opening. Plus, it’s a short scale and the late Woody Allen who played with the Allman Bros. Band & Government Mule was a BIG MAN! Check out this bass too!!! If you’re ever in Nebraska, say the Omaha area, Well text me as soon as you know you’ll and I’ll buy you some ☕️ coffee! Okay, then lunch or dinner depending what time it is . Okay? Okay!!
PATRICK! Thanks so much dude. I've heard nothing but great things about the Rumblecat. Would love to check one out if I can! If I'm ever in the states, I shall let you know! 😝 Thanks so much
I have a Jack Casady in gold. Got it for looks but it's amazing! The 3 sounds it does are limited but it's just the exact 3 sounds you need to do pretty much everything on bass! The awful bridge is the only issue. Setting it up is a bit of a nightmare. There's aftermarket solutions for that. One of my favorite guitars, it's the one that I have visible the most at all times because it's so cool that I just wanna pick it up all the time. Edit: I do also keep old strings on it, it suits the bass. Not exactly like flats, but the shine of a new set just didn't fit with this bass to me.
By the way, you remind me a lot of a work mate I had during my printer apprenticeship, now many many years ago 😀 Only that he had a punky style going on, with loads of rings in his ears and stuff 😄 *And* he even also played bass! 😀👍
@@JonnyDibble - Hey by the way: According to the title of a YT video recommendation, there are also China-made Jack Casady basses! I assume they'd be cheaper than the Korean ones, but are they as good, I wonder?!
Jonny... Why ´d you always come with basses I want, but don´t really need. I´m sure your demo will make it hard again to resist. I´ll have to be strong to not give in.
Cheers. Great video. Not a fan of semi-hollow, why can’t we just call them hollow-bodies, I mean we don’t call acoustic basses or guitars hollow-bodies (well..not any more…i guess someone does…but really, that shouldn’t mean we have to now refer to these as “semi-hollow”), how-a-bout…”hollow-enough-bodies”, or “way-more-hollow-than-regular-bodies-bodies”, it sounds like the luthier just got lazy, “hey did you hollow out that bass?” “….well, I ‘semi’ hollowed it…” it just sounds unfinished. Awesome video regardless, and I really like the “semi” song at the end.
they are different kind of instruments: the hollow-body has the body completely hollow (like Hofner), and has the bridge not screwed. Semi hollow has a center block, and it’s hollow only on the sides (“wings”). the Casady has an hollow body BUT with a block under the bridge.
Great top colour and this softness sound is great, hear the semi hollow sound in 1970s Italian police soundtrack film or in if you know Calibro35 group. Great review.
Tone 50% and 100% with impedence 250 sounded the most balanced. Tone 50% and 100% with impedence 500 sounds too muddy and tone 0% sounds too muffled. Impedence at 50 sounds thin, it needs more punch.
Awesome! Just the other day I saw Jay Bentley (raddest guy ever in the best band ever, Bad Religion) talk about his Jack Casady bass. You can see him talk about his experiences here, around 34:32 ruclips.net/video/bk7iYQYNmqo/видео.html - how he refined it and how the experience was. If you're into punk/rock, and you're a gear nerd, you could check it out. Oh and here's him playing it! ruclips.net/video/7AHxDUKUdxQ/видео.html
I've been looking at the Eastwood Classic 4 semi hollow for some time now. I might need to grab it one of these days. Looks so cool. It is a short scale though and I'm more into long scale basses. I've always wanted a semi hollow.
Aww man, picking a Cassidy bass through an SVT simulator and you didn't crank up the drive? Y'all young'uns should check out some Airplane, seriously, like Crown of Creation or Eskimo Blue Day. P. S. Hipshot makes an excellent upgrade bridge for the Gibson 3-bolt.
Strangely, I feel like using a sewing machine after watching this. Are you sending us subliminal messages? (You have a few frames of a stock image of a sewing machine right after your opening). On another note...this bass looks sweet. I'm excited to try it!
Semi’s rule! The Casady is heavy and a bit cumbersome though, as well as expensive. I’m really digging my Hofner Club, which is a compact, 2-pickup masterpiece…
I have both, the Pelham Blue as in this demo (the bridge is fine, same as on my 1970’s Gibson Ripper and my Gibson Thunderbird) and Hofner Club, both are great and totally different style, feel and sounding basses that can’t be compared to one or the other
100% tone everytime ...I don't want to like this bass, it's just not my thing but i kind of do. It looks quite classy, especially like the colour and the sound is sort of ok, sort of flat but punchy.
Owned the Harley Benton HB-60 semi hollow for just over a year now, and I CANNOT get enough of it. Love the hell out of it
Great overview of this wonderful bass. For anyone that owns this bass, it's well worth spending the bucks on a set of Thomastik-Infeld Jf344 Jazz Flatwound strings. They are the perfect match for this instrument.
Amazing! Thanks very much
Ya the semi-hollow thing is brilliant for synth sounds. Those basses give a stronger fundamental frequency without a lot of overtones ands thats why they play so well with FX. Discovered that myself by accident but then saw Ian Alison doing it and explaining why that is so . Great editing on this video btw made me laugh
Ah that's cool! He always explains thing sin the BEST way 👌 Cheers me dears!
Soon as I read this I thought about Ian lol
I thought the purpose of semi-acoustic anything was to increase the overtones by the vibration of the thin wood adding extra frequency distributions. Ask a violinist.
Where did Ian demo this as/with synth bass ?
Finally, a review where I can actually hear the difference between the 50, 250, and 500 settings! Vewy well done, Mr. Woss.
Yeah, a bit more punch at 250 and some lower heft at 500 🤘
Man when I first saw these epiphones come out I loved them, but after hearing it I REALLY love them. You did a very good job of making me want this bass! Great playing and video!
I really want one too now! 🤪 Thanks very much 😊
Great review, I'd say one of your best ones so far (as in, now I want this bass!). It'd be great if you can do a review of the Harley Benton one for humans on a budget like me haha
Thanks very much! I am always on a budget haha
Yes please! 😄
I have been playing this bass for 5 months with some Flats on it. Love the sound, the sustain, the color and size of it. I need to change out the bridge. Also the case fits like a glove and has held up very well with transporting and having small children that stand on it lol
Oh yeah, the case fits perfectly. Great bonus
Leave the bridge alone, keep it traditional.
Great video!! I love the editing and humor you have in your videos you definitely put a lot of work in how do you not have more subs!!! We’ll get ya there!!
Thanks very much! 😄
I have a JC in white… which I play as badly as all my other basses… I love it
The main thing is that you *do* play! 😀👍
Loving it is all that matters 😍
I just bought myself a Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster, semi-hollowbody.
It's so light.
And, with a couple of mods, will be the Perfect Telecaster for me.
All my Basses are solid-body, at the moment.
🎼🎼🎵🎵🎸🎸
Awesome! Such a beautiful resonance
Had my squier thinline tele for 6 years now. Love it! Wonder if this semi-hollow bass will feedback on stage?
I bought a goldtop one in 2009, and at that time the sides back and necks were all black, so I was a bit jealous when they released the models with the mahogany natural finish.
Apart from that, I'm more of a guitarist but I love Jack Casady (I had the chance to see Hot Tuna live in France near where I live) and I love this bass. Even its shape which can seem imposing, I like it. The bass vibrates in the hands, it has a real presence and on stage it's gorgeous in any color (except black maybe, buts the's been others colors like green and silverbust depending on the years).
The only problem I had was the neck diving. Not that I have trouble playing with it standing up, but two people to whom I had lent it dropped the neck an it hit the ground. For me, holding the neck in my hand is instinctive without even thinking about it, but apparently this is not the case for everyone. So I put some strap locks in and here it is being repaired. I hope to get it back quickly.
What should be noted is that this bass was originally a Gibson model stamped "Les Paul". Adam Clayton has one, and Brian Ray often uses the Epiphone model with Paul McCartney on stage. You can see it on his Wikipedia page.
You probably know that way back when Jack Cassady found a gold finished mid 1970's Gibson Les Paul Signature bass & fell in love with it. He bought back-ups in pawn shops any where he went. Then he got Epiphone to reissue as a JC signiture model. Not kicking about that & glad to see the reissue.for the whole world's sake. Not bragging, but I found an original Gibson LP Signature roughly the same time Jack found his -- I LOVE IT (as well as Jack's playing) and still use it to this day.
yeah that one just hits it out of the park on every setting
I watched several videos on this bass... everyone seems to complain about the neck dive. I held it in playing position while talking to the guy, I admit, it got heavy. But when I got home and installed the strap, no neck dive. It's the zero gravity strap but it holds it in position. Man this is a great sounding bass. My first hollow body.
You will also find Casady playing with Hendrix and Winwood on the Voodoo Chile track of Electric Ladyland.
The Casady bass is a hollow body but with a center block under the bridge only. So it is an unusual hybrid in that respect.
If you watch videos of the early British Invasion many bassists are playing Gibson EB2s in various configurations. My favorite of those had neck and bridge pickups. A built-in mute pad. Each pickup had its own volume and tone controls. Of course a three-way selector switch.
The bridge pickup was a mini humbucker.
The neck looked like an oversized humbucker. It was what they called the Sidewinder. It was mostly wired as a humbucker but the sides were wired as a P90. Jealous Fender bassists called it the mudbucker but it was much more than that.
If you can find one used (no longer made) check out the Gibson EB2db.
Thanks for this review Johnny.
Thanks for the insight! 😄 Cheers
Both the Gibson EB2 and EB2-D are also semi hollow with a centre block to reduce feedback (a design from the late 1950’s just like it’s guitar cousins) so hardly a hybrid but more common place
Sorry if I was not clear.
The Gibsons have a center block running all the way through the body as do most semi-hollow basses and guitars.
The Casady is hollow except for a short block under the bridge to better anchor the bridge. So from the bridge to the neck there is no block. Hence, it is a hybrid.
And if I recall correctly, from the bridge to the tail, or the bottom of the instrument, there is also no block. Again, hybrid.
The short block under the bridge is there to give bridge added stability against the forces of tension tending to pull the bridge up.
There may have been instruments like this as early as the ‘50s but they too would have to be called hybrid. Again, no center block running the length of the body. This design has a single chamber, not two hollow chambers divided by the center block.
I hope this clears things up for you.
Bro, found your channel five Ich ago and i was immediatly hooked.
Your humor is a must and you know enough, to present a bass, in a very entertaining way.
Cool video.
I have been playing electric bass since 1970.
Have an Epiphone Les Paul Special bass, a Fender Jazz and a Jack Cassady Gold top.
To me the JC when muted and plucked up the neck is the closest you can get to an upright bass,
plus you can play any style.
The jazz almost plays itself and the LPS is like a really heavy piece of mahogany.
Well done! I've been looking for a in depth review like this. I loved messing with the tone and impedance and showing us each one!
Thanks! It's so nice
Man I was looking for a review of this beautiful bass because i want it, I search on your channel a week ago and finally you upload this thank you!
What are the odds!? No worries, hope it was useful 👍
£629 for a Korean made bass is pretty reasonable tbh. The original bass was part of the Les Paul range of the 70s and the electronics were designed by Les for his own guitars
I think it definitely earns it!
A semi hollowbody is simply a must for every bassist. Mine a a gorgeous 1974 MIJ Yamaha SA-75, 30.5 scale strung with TI flats and does it all but slapping one is really pointless. Jazz, blues, blue grass, rock and acoustic jams(with amp) are this Yamaha's territory.
Love mine. Really versatile and sings with a set of flats. Also, the switch has more impact at higher volumes.
I've got a Schecter Corsiar semi-hollow, with two EMG Tbird pickups and a two band EQ, and an exteemely playable neck. I just find myself reaching for it more and more. There's something visceral about feeling the bass resonate against your body.. I can't speak to other hollow bodies, this is the only one I've owned, but count me a fan.
SO jealous. Schecter are nothing but quality
I cannot believe how thorough this is
Hi Jonny ,this is the first time I see this bass, I really like it...so ,thanks dude...You are a guarantee regarding the reviews...nice job ...yeah!!!👍👍✌✌
Thanks very much Grabriele 😄
This has been a really nice review, Jonny. It seems as though this bass has inspired your playing in some alternative directions. I also want one these, but I cannot justify another purchase right now. Thanks for putting this one up thoughg, and thanks to your friend for lending you the instrument for the video.
This has been a really nice comment, Alan. Thank-you! 😄
@@JonnyDibble Not a problem, old chap. I like togive credit where it's due.
I’ve always wanted one of these they give me such 60s vibes I love them plus Mani from Stone Roses 🌹
I used one in a Stone Roses tribute for years...the perfect bass for that sound...
I tried one of these while I was guitar center with my new band! They were very light and felts comfy to play
The 250 and 500 settings sounded best to my ear, but the 50 could come in handy if you need to thin out the sound a bit. My brain has been conditioned to visually accept the pickguard, but THE FADED PELHAM BLUE LOOKS MAGNIFICENT WITHOUT IT!!! MY YELLING CAN ONLY BE CURED BY GETTING ONE OF THESE NOW.
RIGHT?! When I first saw it I didn't even realise it was missing
The bassist in my band has been looking for a new bass and after seeing this vid I’m gonna send it to him!
Better make sure he subscribes! Haha awesome!
I recommend the D'angelico semi hollows. Under the radar greatness.
Oooh, I'll check it out! Cheers
I've been wanting that bass for a while now..I'm playing a 74 Sivertone ( last 6 years ) & it sounds & plays fantastic, and I've owned many to compare from Fender Ps to Les Paul bass..Who knew.
I got one in ebony earlier this year and it is exactly as great of an instrument as you expect it to be. the sound was punchier and louder than a lot of the videos on YT show it (they don't completely capture the sound). definitely worth the money, great instrument , versatile sound and beautiful finish
The swich impedance changes the caracteristics to input amp. The gain in the amp change. Cassady is a authentic and specially bassist. For exemple, he use sat/drive/disto I don't know how but I thinks that the swich impedance/gain of the bass have an utilitie for the sat/disto/drive of the amp.
Normally, I'm not a big fan of those three point bridges, but it looks really nice on this bass. I also think swapping it to a modern Hipshot might not be easy since the top surface is curved. Great video!
Agree! Cheers mate 😊
Switched mine to a Hipshot 2 years ago, not a single problem here and much better stability so go for it!
@@aswinvandongen5944 Oh! That's good to know. Thanks.
@@AirChurch - I watched a review of the new KISS Thunderbird bass yesterday that also had a Hipshot bridge, and apparently it's much lighter than it looks! It also only uses two of the three screw holes. Definitely seemed like a great replacement bridge! 😀👍
@@mightyV444 Oh, it is! I can vouch for that. I used to own an Epiphone EB-3 and replaced the bridge on it with one by Hipshot. It was a great improvement in terms of sustain and stability/adjustability, and it was also an easy mod. Then I got rid of that bass because I wanted to get something better. I still miss the growl from that massive humbucker, but I don't miss the terrible neck dive.
I bought one of these in gold top finish a couple of months ago and have just removed the pick guard after watching your video. I’m playing ti on 50 ohm with tone below 50% and finger-style. Love its kwerky unusual sound compared to my P/J Jazz bass. I read somewhere that they are being discontinued so get in quick if you want one. Love it so far!
Amazing 😄 Oooh good shout, their value will explode on the used market in a few years!
i kinda wanna see a comparison between this and the ibanez semi hollow. great content :)
I've always liked the look and sound of these, but the long scale kind of puts me off. Does it feel overly long? I've tried an Epiphone EB-3 which felt awful to me because the neck join is so close to the end of the body.
The EB-3 was also awful because of the worst neck dive ever.
Doesn't feel overly long to me! I do think the longer scales helps add some more note definition and string tension. Feels great 😊
When Jack went to Gibson to make this bass they sent him to their other company Epiphone which I bet they regret now because it's a good bass & very good seller. Casady always sounded great using a semi-hollow body bass even back in the Airplane when he used a Guild Starfire. Casady's tone is 1 of his key features throughout his playing. It's not only what he plays but that key tone to his sound you can always tell it's him playing. Casady has the 1st Alembic bass also which can been seen here on Stanley Clarke Bass Nation ruclips.net/video/3eBDOLpIRX0/видео.html
I have a les Paul standard bass that I gig with it every show I meaning to buy this for almost 20 years and now the blue color I'm getting one soon I recommend fender nylon coated strings it gives a warm to it and if I get a jack I'll put them on them
Beautiful bass Epiphone makes really good stuff. Love my Accu Bass! Also, you play really well dude
They really do! I need a thunderbird next haha. Thanks very much!
This is the only bass model I've bought twice. I used to have a gold top which I loved, but money got tight and after a few years, I picked up the Pelham blue model
Great review - thanks!
Lovely review clear explanation ,thank you!
You want a suggestion for another hollow body ?
How about a Cort B4 FL MHPZ, to my knowledge the only HB Bass designed as a fretless Bass … For sure would like to hear your opinion on that one ..
Thanks! I'll check that out 😊 HB have a fretless and a hollow body, the hollow body is fretted though. I've got the fretless atm and it's great
@@JonnyDibble Sorry, used HB to indicate Hollow Body, my request is really about the “ Cort B4 FL MHPZ” which is a fretless hollow body that also is designed as a hollow body, and for which there is no fretted version at all ..( sorry if my English is not so good, it is not my mother tongue ..) .
Excellent review. Thanks. Subscribed
Thank-you! 😄
As Soon as I saw this bass I’ve been wanting it so bad specially the gold one that court my eye the first time I saw it
It is a STUNNER!
Just bought this bass because of this reviews demos. Sounds exactly the same as the video. This is definitely the best review of this bass.
@@ballisticbassist thanks so much and congrats on an incredible new bass!! 😍
There’s an old epiphone ea-260 semi hollow bass out there with two pickups great sounding bass. if you find one for cheap you won’t regret it. Made in 1970’s and goes for about 500 used.
Sounds amazing! Would love to try one
I just got one - in black! I want to switch out to flatwounds, and lower the action a tad. The previous owner plays in an acoustic hard rock band, and used an aggressive picking style, while I'm more into folk-rock, finger picking with clean warm tones. I'll probably use the 50K setting most of the time.
Awesome! I saw a used Black one recently and was VERY tempted
The Cure's Simon Gallup (also a pick player) had used semi-acoustic basses for quite a long time, before switching to the Gibson Thunderbird and his rather similar Schecter signature bass, and one of them was the Jack Casady; Being one of my main influences (along with J.J. Burnel, Adam Clayton and Geddy Lee), I've always wanted to try one out but it hasn't happened yet. A friend of mine from the opposite side of the Earth had sold a lovely black one some time ago, and I would've bought it too, had the potential shipping costs been lower. Thank you for bringing it back onto my 📡 with your video, Johnny! 😀
Sounds like an incredible library of basses!! I currently have GAS for a thunderbird haha. Cheers!
@@JonnyDibble - Oh I totally wanted a Thunderbird in the very early 90's! It was only when I went out to possibly buy one when I found out how freakin' expensive they are!! 😆 At least the Gibson ones (I can't remember now if the Epiphones were already around?!) But I came across a used Hamer 'Blitz' bass from the early 80's on that same day, US-made and also all-mahogany, with the fairly similar Explorer shape and high-quality Schaller hardware, and it even *sounded* a lot like a Thunderbird! So that's what I bought instead! 😁 Not so great: Its hardcase was massive and could easily be used as a coffee table 😄 Good luck with *your* Thunderbird dream! 😇👍
I don’t recall you mentioning the scale length at all? It looks short? Which makes it something even more different.
These basses have been around a long time, maybe the one your friend lent you has a rosewood board? Being made in Korea suggests it’s a slightly older Epiphone, from before the time of the restrictions on rosewood?
A lot of semi hollows are short scale, this one is actually a long scale!
I need one of these. Love that old/vintage tone. Imagine with some flats. Bet sounds awesome. What's the price range?
Would sound stunning! They're about £750 new but hard to get hold of now
Great review. Is it possible to make a video review of Hofner?
Cheers! I'd love to check out a Club 😍
I had an Epiphone Woody Allen Signature Bass but ended up trading it in for a Hagstrom Viking Bass. You should review one of those. It has a six way switch which changes the coils used for the output using two double coil humbuckers. Crazy amount of different tones
Hear nothing but good things! Would love to try one
Do you mean Allen Woody?
@@markhunter8554 of course he does
@@tiltil9442 You never know; maybe the comedian/writer/actor/director played bass in his spare time.
I've played both this and the Harley Benton HB 60 and found the Harley to be far superior.
Both are visually stunning, but the HB has better tone & feel for only £210 new.
Unfortunately, it only comes in one finish. A glossy red maple roast. No complaints.
Wow! I'm super hyped to play the HB now 😍
@@JonnyDibble Patrick Hunter seems to really like his.
@@TenFalconsMusic I very much trust that opinion
That dark HB-60 looks and sounds awesome online, but I'm not too sure about that floating bridge.
I like the look and sound of the Ibanez AGB200 too, I want to try one out in real life soon.
Being on the lookout for a second bass, I recently went to try out a Fender P-bass.
I really, really wanted to like it, but was utterly disappointed tonewise.
Intriguing though how you say you found the Harley Benton superior to the Epiphone.
Maybe I should take a leap of faith and buy one online without ever having played one...
@@brunocyclist Fender & Squier have released p/j configuration Precision basses that might be a option for you. I picked up the Squier version (Affinity) for £207 and I'm quite happy with it's tonal variations. Classic P bass, Jazz or hybrid mix (my favourite).
As for the hollow body basses, I felt the HB outshined the Epiphone in regards to my personal preferences. Ergo, the HB ticked more boxes than the Epi at a third of the price.
Nothing is better than massive amounts research, especially when buying anything you can't test drive beforehand.
That being said, Thomann does have a reputable return service if the HB 60 isn't to your liking.
Does it have any acoustic volume without any amplification? Enough to hear it while just playing alone practicing?
Yes, it has enough acoustic volume to practice without an amp. I do it all the time. I’ve had a Pelham Blue one for 1-1/2 yrs.
Great video Jonny. Totally agree with you on the impedance switch. Sounds great though. Almost got a semi!
Wahey! Cheers mate 😄
Many complaint about the NECK DIVE in this model , but anything else seems to be perfect .
How is the balance on this bass? Does it balance ok when sitting down or is there a lot of neck dive?
Look at all of the reviews. Almost everyone is sitting down. I wonder what that says about neck dive…
Damn Jonny your editing has gotten really good
Thanks very much! 😄
The Guild Starfire I blows this out of my mind, but I'm probably going for the Ibanez AFB/AGB-200 or - solid body Sire U5 Marcus Miller (if I can find one).
Guild review coming soon 😇
I have the Sparkling Burgundy version & love it,but the sticker on it says it was made in China,not Korea.
Doesn’t bother me one way or another it’s a well made bass.
Honestly I never heard about semi hollow bass guitar. I thought only guitars have that kind of body. I never saw one too whenever I visit music store in my country. Now I know!
as usual very helpful
My pleasure! Cheers
If i could I would play either a Warwick Star Bass or a Hagstrom Viking :))
I've not seen the viking before!
@@JonnyDibble +also fender starcasters look extra sexy and breedable if you ask me 😏😂
The Hofner Verythin range would be an interesting one to try out. They are not super expensive but probably hard to find. Great vid as always Jonny. 👍🏻
Ooooh they look great! Cheers Dave ☺️
@@JonnyDibble obviously that should have said Hofner. Auto spell correct is bitch, right! 😂
Arent Hofners semi-hollow or are F-holes requred? Good stuff as always.
I believe they are semis! Cheers 😄
How’s the acoustic aspect of the bass (without being plugged in)?
Feels great! It's not like a proper acoustic so there's not loads of volume when unplugged. It resonates super well though 👏
*THANK GOD FOR THE BIG ARROW IN THE THUMBNAIL TO SHOW ME WHERE THE BASS IS.*
Nope, arrows & bright letters haven't been overdone since 2002 by every channel.
*Ohwaityestheyhave*
Good ol RUclips algorithms eh?
I think this in pelham blue would be number one on the list I'd I ever get a semi hollow
It is beautiful!
I’m in love with the red one
So classy 👌
JOHNNY!!!
Love your reviews! Have you ever considered , say liked at the end of your videos, have a band playing with you! Yes?….No?
The Epiphone Rumblekat bass is semi hollow without any opening. Plus, it’s a short scale and the late Woody Allen who played with the Allman Bros. Band & Government Mule was a BIG MAN! Check out this bass too!!!
If you’re ever in Nebraska, say the Omaha area, Well text me as soon as you know you’ll and I’ll buy you some ☕️ coffee! Okay, then lunch or dinner depending what time it is . Okay? Okay!!
PATRICK! Thanks so much dude. I've heard nothing but great things about the Rumblecat. Would love to check one out if I can! If I'm ever in the states, I shall let you know! 😝 Thanks so much
@@JonnyDibble That would be great Johnny. Just Great!!!
What strings? Flats? Did you buy it used?
Rounds! This was borrowed from a friend
I have a Jack Casady in gold. Got it for looks but it's amazing! The 3 sounds it does are limited but it's just the exact 3 sounds you need to do pretty much everything on bass! The awful bridge is the only issue. Setting it up is a bit of a nightmare. There's aftermarket solutions for that. One of my favorite guitars, it's the one that I have visible the most at all times because it's so cool that I just wanna pick it up all the time. Edit: I do also keep old strings on it, it suits the bass. Not exactly like flats, but the shine of a new set just didn't fit with this bass to me.
Want8ng to pick it up all the time is the main ingredient of a great bass! Glad you're loving it mate 😁
Leave the bridge alone
I love semi Hollows so much 🤩
I GET IT now 😍
By the way, you remind me a lot of a work mate I had during my printer apprenticeship, now many many years ago 😀 Only that he had a punky style going on, with loads of rings in his ears and stuff 😄 *And* he even also played bass! 😀👍
I feel honoured
@@JonnyDibble - 😄
@@JonnyDibble - Hey by the way: According to the title of a YT video recommendation, there are also China-made Jack Casady basses! I assume they'd be cheaper than the Korean ones, but are they as good, I wonder?!
To my ears the 250 impedance sounded the best. Would love to have one!
Would fully recommend!
Jonny... Why ´d you always come with basses I want, but don´t really need. I´m sure your demo will make it hard again to resist. I´ll have to be strong to not give in.
You must have great taste! You may need to be VERY strong
Cheers. Great video. Not a fan of semi-hollow, why can’t we just call them hollow-bodies, I mean we don’t call acoustic basses or guitars hollow-bodies (well..not any more…i guess someone does…but really, that shouldn’t mean we have to now refer to these as “semi-hollow”), how-a-bout…”hollow-enough-bodies”, or “way-more-hollow-than-regular-bodies-bodies”, it sounds like the luthier just got lazy, “hey did you hollow out that bass?” “….well, I ‘semi’ hollowed it…” it just sounds unfinished.
Awesome video regardless, and I really like the “semi” song at the end.
😆 Not as deep as a full acoustic I suppose! Cheers Tommy!
@@JonnyDibble you are awesome Jonny. I absolutely love your content. You are doing it right!!! Have a brilliant weekend.
they are different kind of instruments: the hollow-body has the body completely hollow (like Hofner), and has the bridge not screwed.
Semi hollow has a center block, and it’s hollow only on the sides (“wings”).
the Casady has an hollow body BUT with a block under the bridge.
Great top colour and this softness sound is great, hear the semi hollow sound in 1970s Italian police soundtrack film or in if you know Calibro35 group.
Great review.
It's surprising how diverse this bass can be in terms of genre! Cheers 😊
The Gibson 3 point bridge keeps me from buying one. I know their are replacements, but not going spend money modding an Epi
Tone 50% and 100% with impedence 250 sounded the most balanced. Tone 50% and 100% with impedence 500 sounds too muddy and tone 0% sounds too muffled. Impedence at 50 sounds thin, it needs more punch.
own JC and love it.
My favorite is the 500 impedance & 50% tone.
Semi-Hollows are the sh*t! I own two and they're incredible.
I need one.
@@JonnyDibble You do.
IMHO, the 250 setting sounded the most balanced and toneful
Making me miss having this bass haha
Awesome!
Just the other day I saw Jay Bentley (raddest guy ever in the best band ever, Bad Religion) talk about his Jack Casady bass. You can see him talk about his experiences here, around 34:32 ruclips.net/video/bk7iYQYNmqo/видео.html - how he refined it and how the experience was. If you're into punk/rock, and you're a gear nerd, you could check it out.
Oh and here's him playing it!
ruclips.net/video/7AHxDUKUdxQ/видео.html
Such a different take conventionally, but works SO well!
I've been looking at the Eastwood Classic 4 semi hollow for some time now. I might need to grab it one of these days. Looks so cool. It is a short scale though and I'm more into long scale basses. I've always wanted a semi hollow.
Most semihollows seem to be short scale, but this is a long scale! 😁
@@JonnyDibble Hofner do a long scale semi hollow in cherry!
この動画見て、このベース買いました～！
I'm debating between this and a P-Bass
Both differently instruments, the P bass is more versatile but in time I’d recommend owning both
Would love to see how it compares to Harley Benton HB60 :D
Sadly this one isn't mine, but I am SUPER tempted to get thw HB for my collection 😊
@@JonnyDibble Same, almost bought it a few times, just don't see where I'd use it :/
Sounds like how i imagine a tube sock sounding
Aww man, picking a Cassidy bass through an SVT simulator and you didn't crank up the drive? Y'all young'uns should check out some Airplane, seriously, like Crown of Creation or Eskimo Blue Day.
P. S. Hipshot makes an excellent upgrade bridge for the Gibson 3-bolt.
And nah, that "distortion" didn't cut the mustard. SVT overdrive, man...
Sadly my wisdom does not stretch so far 😔
Strangely, I feel like using a sewing machine after watching this. Are you sending us subliminal messages? (You have a few frames of a stock image of a sewing machine right after your opening). On another note...this bass looks sweet. I'm excited to try it!
Might start showing single frames of subscribe buttons!
@@JonnyDibble That just might work!
Semi’s rule! The Casady is heavy and a bit cumbersome though, as well as expensive. I’m really digging my Hofner Club, which is a compact, 2-pickup masterpiece…
It's a full scale too so it is a big boy! Didn't find it too uncomfortable though
Those clubs look incredible 😍
I have both, the Pelham Blue as in this demo (the bridge is fine, same as on my 1970’s Gibson Ripper and my Gibson Thunderbird) and Hofner Club, both are great and totally different style, feel and sounding basses that can’t be compared to one or the other
Aye! Lovely
Bloody lovely
100% tone everytime ...I don't want to like this bass, it's just not my thing but i kind of do. It looks quite classy, especially like the colour and the sound is sort of ok, sort of flat but punchy.
Feels so wrong it's right.
If you wanna hear one of these things in action, check out the Carly Rae Jepsen Tiny Desk!
I ❤️ CRJ
Bit of constructive criticism, I think the edits with the mispronunciations are too frequent. The rest of the video is great
I just mess up, A LOT 😆 Appreciate it 🙏
Hot Tuna!