Just some first impressions on my newest acquisition. First off, I was really worried that I wouldn't like this. I've gone through two SX basses that I liked just fine, but I'd only played cheaper basses then and now I own a MIA Fender, which I can honestly say utterly destroys everything I've owned quality wise in every single way. So yeah, I was worried that what I had known to be a decent beater bass just wasn't gonna cut it for me anymore. Anyways...
I need not have worried. This bass does NOT make me feel silly for having bought my four digit Fender, but it DOES deliver. Not for the price, or for what it is, it just flat out delivers. Having learned from two SX basses, I had a different set of strings ready to go right off the bat, tuned it up, plugged some headphones into my amp, and bam. Instant great tone.
The out-of-box set up is very good. I didn't feel the need to make any adjustments and I don't feel a high fret until the 17th fret. This will be rectified soon. The fret ends are 100% smooth ( a pleasant surprise) and the intonation is great (another pleasant surprise). In fact, the only shortcoming of this instrument's set up are those high frets way up on the neck where I rarely play (but occasionally do, so yeah). My other two SX basses where not as forgiving.
The cons: There is some roughly done work on here. The nut will need to be replaced I'm sure and the truss rod access looks like it was done with the crudest tool you could possibly use. Like, maybe a step above trying to chip something into shape with a pair of sharp rocks or something. The bridge has an odd bend to it, I'm actually really surprised this doesn't affect the intonation. Oh, and the least of my worries, the pickguard and the control plate do not match up. No big deal really.
Something I thought was a con but turned out not to be: When I removed the plastic on the pickguard the SX tort was still ugly as sin, but to my surprise I realized it was double coated with the removable plastic (huh). With the second layer removed, it looks MUCH better.
Pros: Aside from what I said above, this thing's color is awesome. The coolest color I've had on a bass. It's whole aesthetic is great actually. (if only Kurt would order some in shell pink
)) Also, it's worth mentioning that with the jaguar body shape, the SX headstock looks great. I may even prefer it to more traditional designs (old sx headstock, fender headstock) because it just fits the theme. Very streamlined and modern looking. Nice.
EDIT: It's worth adding that with a 2-inch six dollar ernie ball strap, this balances perfectly. I've never had a jaguar bass balance so well.
POOOOORN(quick, poorly shot porn at that):
