SX Jazz - gigging?
 

Uh... so I've read and heard people write/say 'Nobody is really gigging an SX, don't be ridiculous' and I struggle to understand why. My ash/maple/rosewood jazz with 70s spacing is killer in every aspect (it's had a fret dress, a setup and got some new strings). What's the problem here, why would one NOT gig an SX when it is actually solidly built, dependable and great sounding (at least my 70s jazz is)? Thanks for clarification.

Style vs. Substance, IMO. To me, a good bass is a good bass, period.

I gig mine when I need a 5stringer.

I use mine a lot in the summer. My band plays several outdoor concerts every summer and there are times when I have to leave my gear in the car trunk all day. I bought a SX just for that purpose - if it gets stolen or damaged from heat it won't cost much to replace. The nice thing is that is a good sounding and playing bass so I enjoy using it on gigs.

Rick B.

I have brought my SX as a backup bass to maybe 20
Gigs but never plugged it in- my main bass is too awesome.

Go for it. There's nothing wrong with gigging an SX if it sounds great. Your skill and technique have more to do with the sound being produced than the cost of the instrument anyway. I gig a $300 Epiphone Thunderbird all the time even though I have more expensive basses.

Nothing wrong with gigging a SX IME.

They can be hit or miss quality wise, but they are amazingly inexpensive. I have owned a couple and one SX needed a $60 PU upgrade and it was perfectly giggable.

I gigged with a SX Jazz 5 (high C) fretless once, that was the one and only bass I brought with me that night. I could have brought way more fancy basses, but the SX was definitely the right bass for that jazz gig. The instrument is not a brand, it is a voice... Choose the right instrument for the right gig and then forget about it.

>> The instrument is not a brand, it is a voice

There should be a sticky for memorable quotes.another one of my favorites was "bling don't sing".

you certainly didnt read or hear that on talkbass.

Nothing wrong with gigging with an SX. Ash, maple, rosewood = good wood for a bass.

Nothing wrong with gigging with anything. Seen one band where the dude had a bass with 3 strings. Another band where the bass player used an electric guitar. Another band with a DiPinto 6 string bass like the Fender Bass VI.

Saw a band with a wash tub, broom handle and piece of rope for a bass.

What ever works, eh?

I have an SX ss P-bass. I swapped the guts with US guts, and would not hesitate to gig with it. that is, of course, if I had a gig.

i had a SX fretless jazz that i gigged a few times. it played great and sounded just as good as any american fender i have ever had. i was gassing for something new so i sold it and made a profit. but i was totally happy with the bass in every way. just was ready for a change.

My SX hasn't been gigged yet, but I've got an outdoor show coming up and it will be my main player. Attachment 325817
My main bass is an MIA Fender P, and the SX holds it own very well. My band actually prefers it to the P. Go figure.

So yeah, I'm planning on gigging my SX. I've leveled the frets, did a really good setup, installed a Hipshot 3-string retainer (fixes the buzz on the open A), and gave her some fancy knobs. It plays just as well as my other basses. Actually, it plays BETTER than my third in line, which I paid three times as much for.

I still need to do more updates to my SJB before I
gig it or at least bring it as a back up.

I should add that I will NOT be modifying the headstock or removing the logo.

Why even own a bass that wasn't gig worthy?

My SX P is my go-to bass for low-paying bar/club gigs.

+1

I wouldn't say "low-paying" as much as it would be shady bar/club gigs. If I don't feel safe taking my more expensive basses, the SX is my main player for the evening.

Very true. I buy basses to play them. It doesn't matter to me the cost, if I see a bass that makes me want to play it, I'll buy it.

Buying a $169 bass you MUST understand that you're not buying a slick MIA Fender. Be realistic.

That said, if you don't mind taking the time and putting a bit of work into them, SX can be a fantastic instrument. There are duds in ANY mass-produces instrument, no matter the name on the headstock. But SX's are made with some great wood if you find a good one, and with a little effort can be turned into a very nice workhorse.

It's still a $169 bass. Accept it.