Essex Bass Club - Part 14 - Page 26

gjbassist · #**501** 02-22-2013, 11:03 AM

I had an LP blue SX fretless P bass a couple years ago. It was traditional LP blue. This new blue really should be called something else by Rondo. It's nice but not the same thing!

Diesel Kilgore · #**502** 02-22-2013, 11:05 AM

Here is a Mystic Blue strat. Pretty close.

Rip Topaz · #**503** 02-22-2013, 06:45 PM

Got to spend some quality time this evening setting up my Ursa 2, and I've finally got it dialed in really nice. Action is low with just the right amount of buzz (very little), and now that the pickup mystery is solved, I can move on and make some noise.

I use an iOS based DI setup with my band. My stage amp is an Acoustic B200 combo, and it gets a feed from the DI box which also sends my iOS signal to the FOH.

I use Jamup XT, with the bass expansion. My main amp is usually the Blueline (Ampeg fridge sim), with some compression after the amp sim to level everything out for the PA. I'm able to get a really punchy tone through a mid sized system, and my stage amp provides my stage monitor.

The SX sounds awesome through this rig, really gives that Jazz bass sound I hear in my head. Can't wait for next band practice to hear it with a loud drummer.

SBsoundguy · #**504** 02-24-2013, 11:18 AM

Woah the V2s are back. They must've been hidden somewhere in the warehouse.
http://www.rondomusic.com/V26tribalred.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/v26tribalblue.html

**Ric5** · #**505** 02-24-2013, 11:30 AM

I have owned 6 or so sx basses ... I usually end up modding them and then selling them. A lot of them I don't like the tone of the wood in the body makes ... They are not awful I just end up not liking them.

But I have one SX bass that I really like. They made these for a very short time until Ernie Ball and musicman shut them down. The SX stingray. The original 21 fret neck was badly s-curved and the original preamp buzzed badly. So I put on a 20 fret SX replacement neck that was 1/2" shorter so I also had to move the bridge back 1/2" as well. Then I put a Seymour Duncan 3 band preamp. After the mods the SX stingray is now an excellent bass with a really good low B string.

Rip Topaz · #**506** 02-24-2013, 03:26 PM

I used the SX at practice today. It was a good day to try it out since our guitarist was out today, and I could really crank it up and hear it.

I think the pickups are staying. Running through my iOS rig with an Ampeg sim and some compression, it sounded amazing. Not at all like a $169 bass.

I did end up taking the pickup cover off. It was just in the way, so I'll keep it for photos and leave it off for playing.

My drummer played it for a few, then took the info down so he can order his own!! I think I may need to get a second one.

Diesel Kilgore · #**507** 02-24-2013, 04:07 PM

Yeah Rip. I put flats on mine. Lowered the pickups and the action. Wow does it sound good now. It has a few little flaws for being a cheap bass. Little quirks. But definitely not in the sound and feel. I am very well pleased.

Rip Topaz · #**508** 02-24-2013, 04:09 PM

Yeah, there are definitely a few little things that define it as a cheaper instrument, but after the work I've put into it, it plays great. No complaints.

CBNJ · #**509** 02-24-2013, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Yeah, there are definitely a few little things that define it as a cheaper instrument, but after the work I've put into it, it plays great. No complaints.

How do you connect with Jamup - iRig? How does it sound? I looked at some pictures and reviews, seems like they have a ton of amp choices. Is it worth the $?

rfslick · #**510** 02-24-2013, 04:45 PM

Well, I've had my Ursa II ($155.60 delivered to the west coast) since early Feb. and played out with it several times. I've adjusted the setup and installed a Rondo high mass bridge, ($19) a set of Dunlop Nickle plated round wounds, and all I can say is what an incredible value. It certainly didn't need the bridge, I just did it because. I'll probably order a tort pg, and that will be it. Just play it!!
So, can I join this outfit?

Rip Topaz · #**511** 02-24-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBNJ

How do you connect with Jamup - iRig? How does it sound? I looked at some pictures and reviews, seems like they have a ton of amp choices. Is it worth the $?

I connect with an Apogee Jam. I use my iPhone 4S.

Yes, Jamup is TOTALLY worth the money. It is by far the best FOH sound I've ever had.

Rip Topaz · #**512** 02-24-2013, 06:20 PM

One other thing that stuck with me today, is that I really like the sound of the Ursa 2 with a pick.

I'm normally a fingerstyle player, but I'm finding that with this bass I'm using a pick more often.

CBNJ · #**513** 02-24-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I connect with an Apogee Jam. I use my iPhone 4S.

Yes, Jamup is TOTALLY worth the money. It is by far the best FOH sound I've ever had.

How do you hook it up to your amp? Definitely interested in this as an alternative.

Rip Topaz · #**514** 02-24-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBNJ

How do you hook it up to your amp? Definitely interested in this as an alternative.

I run an 1/8" cable from the headphone jack. It's 1/8" on one end, dual RCA with 1/4" adapters on the other. I only use the left side, into a DI box. From the DI box I go to my amp and the FOH.

--------------
On a side note, I also noticed today that the Ursa 2 felt lighter than my P-basses. My lightest P is 9.5 pounds.

I weighed the Ursa 2, 8.5 pounds!!! Much lighter than the 10 pounds that the site claims. Definite bonus.

Rip Topaz · #**515** 02-24-2013, 09:37 PM

Here's a quick demo clip I did this evening with my Ursa 2 MN Ash. Nothing special as far as the playing is concerned, I kept it simple to focus on the tones.

http://soundcloud.com/rip_topaz/sx-ursa-2-demo

The first part is both pickups on full, tone wide open.
The second part is the bridge pickup, tone wide open.
The last part is the neck pickup, tone wide open.

I absolutely LOVE the bridge pickup tone. I'm not a jazz guy and I can't play anything by Jaco, but when I think that sort of music, this is the tone in my head.

With such a cool tone and a light weight, I can see this bass is gonna get a ton of playtime. I was going to do the scotchbrite deglossing of the body, but I don't think I'll be able to stop playing it long enough to do it!!

Einherjar · #**516** 02-25-2013, 11:16 AM

So, I'm contemplating buying an Ursa 2 MN Ash as sort of a project platform for modification to keep me occupied and alleviate GAS pains for pricier instruments.

I'm assuming I'm probably gonna want to upgrade the hardware. And eventually the pickups and everything. I just wanted to know if the sizes of the tuners and bridge are fairly standard. Does anyone have experience with any specific set of hardware not properly fitting in the holes already there? Or am I going to be looking at doing drilling of my own no matter what?

Thanks for the help.

Rip Topaz · #**517** 02-25-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einherjar

So, I'm contemplating buying an Ursa 2 MN Ash as sort of a project platform for modification to keep me occupied and alleviate GAS pains for pricier instruments.

I'm assuming I'm probably gonna want to upgrade the hardware. And eventually the pickups and everything. I just wanted to know if the sizes of the tuners and bridge are fairly standard. Does anyone have experience with any specific set of hardware not properly fitting in the holes already there? Or am I going to be looking at doing drilling of my own no matter what?

Thanks for the help.

I have that bass (the one with the blocks and binding), and the only hardware that I'm planning on replacing is the tuners. They're a little too cheap feeling to me, but they're probably ok.

I did add a Hipshot 3 string retainer, which eliminated the buzz on the open A string (I'm putting them on all my basses).

Yes, it's on there a little crooked. I may fix it later but it works just fine at a slight angle.
The bridge and pickups are just fine. I've got a replacement bridge in the shop but I think I'm just gonna go with the one that's on it.

The pickups had a weird noise when I first got it, but with the help of the people in this thread (sorry, my memory sucks) we were able to trace it to the strings hitting the pickup poles. I put a strip of electrical tape across them and now the bass sounds phenomenal. The pickups sound just like you would expect a jazz to sound.

Here's a quick family photo:

The funny thing is that I bought this bass with the plans of modding the hell out of it, but it turns out that it is pretty great as is.

Einherjar · #**518** 02-25-2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I have that bass (the one with the blocks and binding), and the only hardware that I'm planning on replacing is the tuners. They're a little too cheap feeling to me, but they're probably ok.

I did add a Hipshot 3 string retainer, which eliminated the buzz on the open A string (I'm putting them on all my basses).

Yes, it's on there a little crooked. I may fix it later but it works just fine at a slight angle.
The bridge and pickups are just fine. I've got a replacement bridge in the shop but I think I'm just gonna go with the one that's on it.

The pickups had a weird noise when I first got it, but with the help of the people in this thread (sorry, my memory sucks) we were able to trace it to the strings hitting the pickup poles. I put a strip of electrical tape across them and now the bass sounds phenomenal. The pickups sound just like you would expect a jazz to sound.

Here's a quick family photo:

The funny thing is that I bought this bass with the plans of modding the hell out of it, but it turns out that it is pretty great as is.

Noted. I guess I will order it and check it out before I go crazy buying parts

planning on getting the CAR finish and thought it would look pretty sweet with some black hardware. Almost hoping it's not up to par so I have an excuse to buy the stuff. We will see. Lol.

VincentGrim · #**519** 02-25-2013, 11:58 AM

Soon I'll be rejoining this club with this:

I'm very excited, because I love the jaguar shape and a passive jazz bass pickup set-up, which there is no Fender offering for at the moment(yes, I know the deluxe jag can be switched to passive, but I feel weird having a million nobs and switches, yet not using any of them). Plus, I actually like the headstock with this body shape. Very streamlined and slick looking!

Now if only it came in shell pink....

Mastermold · #**520** 02-25-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

...
The funny thing is that I bought this bass with the plans of modding the hell out of it, but it turns out that it is pretty great as is.

Same story here, the two SX basses I kept (jazz like yours and a 5-string jazz in natural with white blocks/binding) play and sound great stock, and there's a certain satsifaction in getting a gem from something so cheap that I just left them alone. Both are gig worthy as is.