Essex Bass Club - Part 14 - Page 15

Rip Topaz · #**281** 02-02-2013, 05:14 AM

What I really need Kurt to do is to put together a Larry Graham tribute J-bass.

White body without the vintage tint.
Maple fretboard without the orange glow.
Gold hardware.
White pickguard.

If that appears on the site (in a NON-3/4 sized model), I'm all over it.

Of course, I'll have to order a new white pickguard unrouted, so I can tilt the neck pickup like Larry's Moon bass.

BillyB_from_LZ · #**282** 02-02-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

What I really need Kurt to do is to put together a Larry Graham tribute J-bass.

...
Of course, I'll have to order a new white pickguard unrouted, so I can tilt the neck pickup like Larry's Moon bass.

That would be cool! Doesn't look like the Moon bass has a pickguard though...

You have the skills to build the body yourself though!

Rip Topaz · #**283** 02-02-2013, 10:50 AM

That's also a possibility. But then it wouldn't be an SX, though.

SBsoundguy · #**284** 02-03-2013, 12:28 AM

God I love those white fretboards.

OT:

When I was a young bass player 12 years ago, I thought SWR had white grills until I finally got to see one in person. I guess it was because of the way they were photographed in ads. I still think they'd look better white.

Rip Topaz · #**285** 02-03-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

God I love those white fretboards.

OT:

When I was a young bass player 12 years ago, I thought SWR had white grills until I finally got to see one in person. I guess it was because of the way they were photographed in ads. I still think they'd look better white.

If I thought I could pull it off without destroying the neck, I'd try a refin and paint the fretboard. But I've never painted a fretboard before, and I just smell disaster!!

Here's my plan so far: I'm going with the natural with blocks and binding, then for starters I'm going to Scotch-Brite the body to dull the shine. I'll live with that for awhile, then refinish the body in white.

rfslick · #**286** 02-03-2013, 07:33 AM

Well here it is, my Ursa! 2. Played well right out of the box. Installed a Rondo high mass bridge, Dunlop straplocks, and Dunlop 45 - 105 round wounds. Great fit and finish. Played out with it an hour after it arrived. Great neck, pickups, and controls.

Rip Topaz · #**287** 02-03-2013, 09:05 AM

Nice bass!!

I've gotten the wife's approval for my tax time Ursa 2, and she thinks the burst is the right one.

So the plan is for the Ursa 2, maple fretboard with blocks, in sunburst.

I'm planning a few mods for this one. I know people love to flame each other for this, but I will be relicing this bass. I'm planning on taking the gloss down on the body, then adding wear to certain areas (that coincide with my playing). How far I take it remains to be seen.

I may end up doing a full nitro refinish on the body. The neck will just get fret leveling and any tweaks it needs to make it the best it can be.

I'll be upgrading hardware as needed.

As with any bass, I do plan on playing it for awhile before making any mods, and who knows, I may end up keeping it stock. Time will tell.

fourstringbliss · #**288** 02-04-2013, 08:33 PM

In case you're interested I have this bass for sale in the classifieds (with the gig bag):

Rip Topaz · #**289** 02-04-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

In case you're interested I have this bass for sale in the classifieds (with the gig bag):

So soon?

fourstringbliss · #**290** 02-04-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

So soon?

Yeah, I'm headed a different direction so I need the cash.

tastybasslines · #**291** 02-04-2013, 09:39 PM

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade to the "Pro" Ursa's costing about $180-$200 are that much better than the $125 version? Are the pickups really improved like they say? Apparently they say the tuners are better and it comes with a hi mass bridge as well. Worth it or not? I'm not a big fan of the ash bodies on the higher priced ones as the only drawback. They are about a pound heavier than the "inferior" bodies with Alder.

Bueller?

CBNJ · #**292** 02-04-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade to the "Pro" Ursa's costing about $180-$200 are that much better than the $125 version? Are the pickups really improved like they say? Apparently they say the tuners are better and it comes with a hi mass bridge as well. Worth it or not? I'm not a big fan of the ash bodies on the higher priced ones as the only drawback. They are about a pound heavier than the "inferior" bodies with Alder.

Bueller?

Wondered this as well..

rfslick · #**293** 02-04-2013, 09:54 PM

The tuners, and pickups are upgraded and the high mass bridge, with a pearl pick guard.
I installed the high mass bridge and for $12 I'll get a tortoise pick guard. That's an additional $32. I'm completely happy with the tuners and pickups. So I'm in for $157. I like the Alder. The neck and body wood are beautiful. Maybe someday I'll think about tuners, but right now they're great.

bassbenj · #**294** 02-04-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade to the "Pro" Ursa's costing about $180-$200 are that much better than the $125 version? Are the pickups really improved like they say? Apparently they say the tuners are better and it comes with a hi mass bridge as well. Worth it or not? I'm not a big fan of the ash bodies on the higher priced ones as the only drawback. They are about a pound heavier than the "inferior" bodies with Alder.

Bueller?

Well, I always thought it was. I guess that's because most of mine aren't though are ash and I either did the mods myself or (more ususally) just struggle with the stiff tuners and prying on the cheap bridge and not bother with the upgrades because the bass does play fine enough without them.

I don't know that pickups are any better but the rest of the stuff just seems worth the extra few bux if only because you don't have deal with buying it and installing it. It also works for me because I prefer the slightly brighter ash bodies over the more mellow alder ones. But I'm sure you know both are great and some don't like the added weight.

It also works for me because I always upgrade the plain black/white pickguards so this saves some coin too because SX take a custom fit.

dabbler · #**295** 02-05-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade to the "Pro" Ursa's costing about $180-$200 are that much better than the $125 version? Are the pickups really improved like they say? Apparently they say the tuners are better and it comes with a hi mass bridge as well. Worth it or not? I'm not a big fan of the ash bodies on the higher priced ones as the only drawback. They are about a pound heavier than the "inferior" bodies with Alder.

Bueller?

I don't have a Pro. That said:

1. To do a an apples to apples comparison, you would have to compare it to an Ash Ursa. The price difference for what you get in a Pro over a regular ash is very probably worth it. I have one of the Pro bridges, it's going on a project I hope to finish up in the spring, but it is a NICE bridge.

2. If you don't care whether the body is Ash or not, a regular Ursa is quite servicable.

3. I have a handful of ashes and a dozen or so alder-bodied SJB/Ursas. My main players are ash with new pups and I have a pair of alderbodied ones where I replaced the neck pup. ANY SX Ursa is going to be more bass than you would expect for the price.

4. While I do not have a Pro Ursa I do have a hawk (strat) ultra, and I will say that the canadian maple neck and the amercian ash body is very resonant. Also, however, the newest 2 SX basses I have (most of mine are old headstock SJBs and SPBs), an Ursa 2 6 and an Ursa 2 HUM (which is ash-bodied, even though the spec said alder) are my most resonant SX basses, so perhaps all of their "new" wood is better.

My advice, get the Pro if you have zero desire to mod. Otherwise get a regular or ash Ursa NOW... and get the Pro later.

gjbassist · #**296** 02-05-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

Can anyone tell me if the upgrade to the "Pro" Ursa's costing about $180-$200 are that much better than the $125 version? Are the pickups really improved like they say? Apparently they say the tuners are better and it comes with a hi mass bridge as well. Worth it or not? I'm not a big fan of the ash bodies on the higher priced ones as the only drawback. They are about a pound heavier than the "inferior" bodies with Alder.

Bueller?

I can't speak for the "Pro" version but I will say without a doubt that the Ursa 2 MN jazz models that sell for $139 are absolutely worth the extra money. Better neck and body wood, better tuners and a better neck overall. The fretwork on mine was much better than the other standard SX basses I have owned. IMO they are the best deal out there on a jazz bass. Only downside is you only have two color choices.