First Project: Relic SX Bass

jp58 · #1 06-22-2010, 02:44 AM

I've decided I'm soon to do a project, namely an SX mod and relic. It most likely will be the P triburst, but I'm not sure if I want a maple or rosewood fretboard.:

I've heard several good things about the playability of SX basses, and of some minor flaws: action is high, pick-ups need shielding, etc. So I figure this is a great bass to take apart and re-assemble, relic, learn/practice shielding and learn the ins and outs of the diagrams, etc.

My intentions are for this to be a gateway project to more and more complicated ones (and more expensive) leading eventually to a scratch build.

What do you guys think? And what are you're feelings toward SX basses?

Nic. · #2 06-22-2010, 04:03 AM

I did a project on an sx jazz. It turned out well. Go for it! They make good platforms.

jp58 · #3 06-22-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic.

I did a project on an sx jazz. It turned out well. Go for it! They make good platforms.

That's what I've heard.

jp58 · #4 06-23-2010, 04:07 AM

Would you guys recommend getting replacement pickups for it, or waiting until I'm finishing "vintaging" it first?

oerk · #5 06-23-2010, 04:40 AM

Subscribed.

I recently got a used SX P in vintage white. The previous owner already started an awful relicing job, so I'm trying to remedy that.

I like it very much so far. The neck feels nice. Playability is good with medium-to-low action. The pickup sounds decent.

5string5fingers · #6 06-24-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

Would you guys recommend getting replacement pickups for it, or waiting until I'm finishing "vintaging" it first?

I'd wait til after. But I'd say if you get the money,buy some seymour duncan antiquity pickups

jp58 · #7 07-25-2010, 08:05 PM

Will be picking out an SX off of Rondo in the next week or so. Its going to be my main bass for a bit, so I may or not jump head first into the relic project, but pics and info will be up asap.

gjbassist · #8 07-25-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

Would you guys recommend getting replacement pickups for it, or waiting until I'm finishing "vintaging" it first?

The stock pickups are surprisingly good. You may decide you want to keep them for a while. I would however switch out the pots and jack with something of higher quality. You can get a wiring kit from Bass Parts Resource for under $20

http://www.basspartsresource.com/bas...wiringkits.htm

jp58 · #9 07-25-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

The stock pickups are surprisingly good. You may decide you want to keep them for a while. I would however switch out the pots and jack with something of higher quality. You can get a wiring kit from Bass Parts Resource for under $20

http://www.basspartsresource.com/bas...wiringkits.htm

Thanks for the tip.

becker4567 · #10 07-25-2010, 08:20 PM

The SX is a good, solid bass, and like gjbassist said, the pickups are quite good. The bass is also quite good on it's own, but makes a terrific platform to practice mods on. As far as the action being high, I've owned 3 SX's, and none were perfectly set up for me, but that is where learning to do your own set-ups come in. I'm planning a SX PJ mod project for this winter. Also try Buzzards Bass Gear (buzzardsbass.com) for all kinds of parts and tips. He specializes in modding SX's.

jp58 · #11 07-25-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becker4567

The SX is a good, solid bass, and like gjbassist said, the pickups are quite good. The bass is also quite good on it's own, but makes a terrific platform to practice mods on. As far as the action being high, I've owned 3 SX's, and none were perfectly set up for me, but that is where learning to do your own set-ups come in. I'm planning a SX PJ mod project for this winter. Also try Buzzards Bass Gear (buzzardsbass.com) for all kinds of parts and tips. He specializes in modding SX's.

I'm not opposed to doing a little tinkering, that's really the main reason I'm wanting to do a project.

Also, poll is up.

jp58 · #12 07-26-2010, 12:59 PM

Leaving for an out of town trip today, I will order the bass wither while I'm out of town, or as soon as I get back. Either way, this should begin to materialize within a week or 2.

gjbassist, will the electronics (pots, jack, cables) make that much of a difference?

jp58 · #13 07-30-2010, 12:14 PM

Home from vacation. Have some business engagements for most of next week, but a new bass day is somewhere in the near future, and this project will follow that shortly.