SX Ursa 6-string Jazz bass

[PrietoBass]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

As for that 6 string P remark, you took the words right out of my mouth. Even better, make it a P/J. Would be an instant SX purchase for me.

Buy the 6, route the neck pickup for a P, buy a custom P or wind your own, design a custom pickguard... That would be a great project!

[ghostly]

Hey all! Still pretty new around here. Love the forum! I just received my recent run SX Jazz 6 in the mail today. I must say, this thing is incredible for the price! I have owned other 6's in the past, but found them far too uncomfortable. This thing plays like a charm! (more years of experience, and better technique probably don't hurt either! LOL!)

One of the reasons I am posting, aside from having my 6 String Bass GAS completely satisfied atm, was due to lack of clear information on the Factory Bridge String Spacing on this bass. Seeing as I have an Ibanez SR305M, and the string spacing on that is around 16.5mm, I thought I would compare it with the newly arrived Ursa 2 -6. I was surprised to find out that the spacing differed by only about .5mm or so! So, good news if you are a fan of Ibanez SR String Spacing! It made the transition to this new bass quite seamless.

Seeing as the feeling, and also visual estimation of the two basses made the string spacing look nearly identical, I went ahead and measured it as accurately as (personally) possible.

What I measured was:
(Using the method mentioned on the Hipshot site of measuring from the peak of the lowest -> to the peak of the highest string at the bridge. This is then divided by the number of strings)

Total String Span (from peaks of highest -> lowest strings):
-80mm/3.14961"

- When Divided:
(80mm||3.14961")/6 = 13.33mm or 0.52480315"

Now, this sounded in line with other posts I have read about this bass so far, and more or less coincides with the measurements provided on the Rondo site.

I then measured it from string peak to string peak, only to find it to be almost exactly 16mm/0.629921" when measured individually (once again, these measurements were taken at the saddle termination point, at the bridge)!

When measured in between strings, I came up with 14mm/0.551181", which again is closer to the Rondo numbers provided on their item listing on site.

So, there you have it!

Sorry for the long post! I know there was a lot of discussion about this mid-thread. Hope this helped out!

[ghostly]

I also wanted to mention that the fit and finish of the instrument is EXCELLENT! I am very grateful to all who shared info about their orders on here. If it were not for this thread, I would maybe have passed it up! I am totally sold on SX Basses now! Caught the SX Bug!

The two Truss Rods needed adjusting (due to changes during shipping, as is normal). I gave both rods about a half turn each, and then set-up the action and other saddle adjustments. I have had NO problems setting the bass up so far! The strings are not spectacular, as noted prior. I will say though that this thing hangs with my Ibanez SR in terms of tone. The pickups in mine are actually pretty hot! I absolutely LOVE their tone! If I mod it at all, I will likely replace the nut with a graphite or Tusq XL, and then move on to shielding the control and pickup cavities. The Bass was also very quite while I was playing it through my USB Interface into my recording software. Excellent Bass for the money! I would definitely recommend it, and may even buy another!

Once again, thank you guys for the Pre-Amp info, and all the great pics on here! You guys really helped me out! Great mods on here, too! Many of you guys have tricked these basses out really nice! I am also considering a Pearloid Black, or Tortoise Shell Pickguard to go with the Black finished model I chose.

[McGryff]

These look quite tempting, but I'm going to wait awhile to see if they produce a rosewood fingerboard version. I'm so-so on maple. Although, with flats perhaps it wouldn't be too bright... ?

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by ghostly

...

What I measured was:
(Using the method mentioned on the Hipshot site of measuring from the peak of the lowest -> to the peak of the highest string at the bridge. This is then divided by the number of strings)

Total String Span (from peaks of highest -> lowest strings):
-80mm/3.14961"

- When Divided:
(80mm||3.14961")/6 = 13.33mm or 0.52480315"

...

So, there you have it!

Sorry for the long post! I know there was a lot of discussion about this mid-thread. Hope this helped out!

Congratulations and welcome!

Just one small correction on the math you used for calculating string spacing. 6 strings only have 5 spaces between them, so

- When Divided:
(80mm||3.14961")/5 = 16mm or 0.629922"

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

Can't decide? Who needs to decide? ...
Rule: you can never own too many SX basses.

...

Amen brother!

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

Buy the 6, route the neck pickup for a P, buy a custom P or wind your own, design a custom pickguard... That would be a great project!

I actually thought about that. Converting an SX 6er into a 6er P/J! But my experience with my Squier P/J 5er is that there is more to it than just adding a P pickup and pickguard. The P body shape is different but more important the Neck is wider with a different profile. A profile that I REALLY like, I might add! And unlike some who love the Jazz neck and change their P-bass with a jazz neck, I'd rather go the other way. I don't know if you can even buy a 6 string P-bass neck.

[PrietoBass]

True, but since you already own many Ursa 6s, at least you are used to their "feel". The PJ might not get you there into true P/J land but at least sonically you'll be closer, I think. Write Kurt at Rondo about this and see what he says. These guys put out a lefty 6er so gou never know!

[willrwilli]

Originally Posted by DD_Nick

Now in the title it says "for active pickups". Could that just be strangely worded or would it actually not work for passive pups I wonder... Sorry I'm pretty I'll versed in the inner workings of basses.

Just wanted to confirm that the pre amp I ordered from this Ebay link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150948251770

came today and it is in fact the Ming pre-amp that is mentioned on many of the youtube videos.

[ghostly]

Thank you so much for the correction, Dabbler! That will be the last time I post about mathematics so late at night! LOL!

Considering what I do for work, I am rather embarrassed hahahaha!

Seeing as how we have established that the string spacing is 16mm with both the division method, and also the peak to peak method I did by hand also, we can 100% now confirm a string spacing of 16mm or 0.629921"!!!

Seeing as a lot of guys were put off by claims of 15mm string spacing on this beast, Kurt should probably update his site with that info! This bass is truly amazing! I also think a P/J would be excellent! If Kurt had some in that config, I would buy one in a heartbeat! (crossing my fingers for an Olympic White-ish finish, with Maple Board)

[ghostly]

Originally Posted by McGryff

These look quite tempting, but I'm going to wait awhile to see if they produce a rosewood fingerboard version. I'm so-so on maple. Although, with flats perhaps it wouldn't be too bright... ?

RE: Brightness of the sound due to the Maple neck. I would have to say that compared to Ibanez SR basses I have owned(one with a maple board, the other rosewood) with Bartolini Pre-Amps and Pups in them, that the Ursa 2 - 6 is NOWHERE near as bright as either of my IBZ! With or without dead/new strings, too! Seriously, even with new strings it is pretty smooth, with just enough bight and growl if you dig in! I also play some songs with a Pick/Plectrum, and it is still not too bright! Attack is pronounced for certain, but not biting my head off lol! I currently have it strung with new set of D'Addario EXL170-6 Nickle Round XL's (Roundwound, Gauges .032 -.130)

Another thing to think about if you are scared of it sounding bright is the tone knob. It is actually very versatile! I have been able to dial in many smooth or growly/bright tones on here. Sounds just as good, or better, than a Squire Jazz 5 with SD Design pickups in them, and then some! Stock pickups are actually pretty good! The low B is tight, responsive, and amplifies pretty clear!

Only issue I have with it presently is that the pots are a bit scratchy. Replacing them will happen sometime soon. At this price though, and considering that I usually end up replacing them in many MIM or MIK products too, that is in no way a deal breaker!

[McGryff]

Thanks for the good info, I appreciate your thoughts!

Originally Posted by ghostly

RE: Brightness of the sound due to the Maple neck. I would have to say that compared to Ibanez SR basses I have owned(one with a maple board, the other rosewood) with Bartolini Pre-Amps and Pups in them, that the Ursa 2 - 6 is NOWHERE near as bright as either of my IBZ! With or without dead/new strings, too! Seriously, even with new strings it is pretty smooth, with just enough bight and growl if you dig in! I also play some songs with a Pick/Plectrum, and it is still not too bright! Attack is pronounced for certain, but not biting my head off lol! I currently have it strung with new set of D'Addario EXL170-6 Nickle Round XL's (Roundwound, Gauges .032 -.130)

Another thing to think about if you are scared of it sounding bright is the tone knob. It is actually very versatile! I have been able to dial in many smooth or growly/bright tones on here. Sounds just as good, or better, than a Squire Jazz 5 with SD Design pickups in them, and then some! Stock pickups are actually pretty good! The low B is tight, responsive, and amplifies pretty clear!

Only issue I have with it presently is that the pots are a bit scratchy. Replacing them will happen sometime soon. At this price though, and considering that I usually end up replacing them in many MIM or MIK products too, that is in no way a deal breaker!

[wshines1892]

I have now joined your proud ranks of 6 string jazz owners! If we're on a binge of talking about what we want to see from Rondo, I really wish for a 5 string Precision. It's a rare design that few seem to do. If I could get a 5 string P in the same CAR as the 6 string, that'd be sweet.

[McGryff]

Originally Posted by wshines1892

I have now joined your proud ranks of 6 string jazz owners! If we're on a binge of talking about what we want to see from Rondo, I really wish for a 5 string Precision. It's a rare design that few seem to do. If I could get a 5 string P in the same CAR as the 6 string, that'd be sweet.

Yeah, I'd go for that too, except in sunburst. Good idear!

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by wshines1892

I have now joined your proud ranks of 6 string jazz owners! If we're on a binge of talking about what we want to see from Rondo, I really wish for a 5 string Precision. It's a rare design that few seem to do. If I could get a 5 string P in the same CAR as the 6 string, that'd be sweet.

This goes for me too! I've long Jonesed for an SX P-bass. I've got tons of SX Jazz in 5 and 6 srings, but to get a P/J 5er I had to go Squier. And even used it wasn't cheap (like over $200) plus the cost of new P and J pickups. Don't get me wrong it's a killer bass but it was some coin total when done and I'm still left with a used bass and a body that is agathis (pine) rather than the killer alder or ash you can luck out with from SX.

You have no idea how many years I've been scanning the Rondo website hoping to find a P 5er SX there! (P/J even better!)

[FunkMetalBass]

To any of you owners, do you think it would be possible to widen the spacing a bit, say, to 16.5mm / 0.649"? The pictures make it look a bit tight on the fretboard, and I'm not sure if another 3mm is a viable option.

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by wshines1892

I have now joined your proud ranks of 6 string jazz owners! If we're on a binge of talking about what we want to see from Rondo, I really wish for a 5 string Precision. It's a rare design that few seem to do. If I could get a 5 string P in the same CAR as the 6 string, that'd be sweet.

Originally Posted by bassbenj

This goes for me too! I've long Jonesed for an SX P-bass. I've got tons of SX Jazz in 5 and 6 srings, but to get a P/J 5er I had to go Squier. And even used it wasn't cheap (like over $200) plus the cost of new P and J pickups. Don't get me wrong it's a killer bass but it was some coin total when done and I'm still left with a used bass and a body that is agathis (pine) rather than the killer alder or ash you can luck out with from SX.

You have no idea how many years I've been scanning the Rondo website hoping to find a P 5er SX there! (P/J even better!)

Speaking of five string P bass, any opinion on these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilkinson-Li...item230b32ed71

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by DJ Bebop

Speaking of five string P bass, any opinion on these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilkinson-Li...item230b32ed71

I've heard good reports on those by others who have done the Squier 5 string P thing. And the price is right too!

In mine I used a NOS Fender 5er that someone used be selling on Ebay. They were great but also cost much more...like $60 or $70. I'm sort of pondering if one can reverse the coils on the 3 string half of the set so that if you had two of them, you could have a humbucker 6 string P-bass pickup...

[ghostly]

@FunkMetalBass: As mentioned above, the string spacing is already 16mm. The Rondo site info was off. There was a post a ways back in this very thread where one of the forum members replaced the stock bridge with a (17mm string spacing) Hipshot-A style bridge from Allparts. They neck is defiinitely wide enough for that spacing. If you search back, his post had pics too. Thing is, the pickups are basically standard 5 String pickups, already having their field extended to their limit. Basically, they do not produce a wide enough field to accurately pick up the Low B, and High C due to the wider spacing.

The specific measurements we came up with are:
-(80mm||3.14961")/5 = 16mm or 0.629922" (when measured using the total bridge width, then dividing by the number of string spaces)

- and again 16mm or 0.629922" when measuring from string peak to string peak at the bridge.

Try the forum search.

[ghostly]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

This goes for me too! I've long Jonesed for an SX P-bass. I've got tons of SX Jazz in 5 and 6 srings, but to get a P/J 5er I had to go Squier. And even used it wasn't cheap (like over $200) plus the cost of new P and J pickups. Don't get me wrong it's a killer bass but it was some coin total when done and I'm still left with a used bass and a body that is agathis (pine) rather than the killer alder or ash you can luck out with from SX.

You have no idea how many years I've been scanning the Rondo website hoping to find a P 5er SX there! (P/J even better!)

I would love one too! I have happened upon a USA Fender 5 String P Bass before. While it sounded awesome, I didn't think it worth the price, personally. I really hope Rondo will release one in a P/J, or even a P/P! I have played a couple of basses in the past with two P Style pickups. Sounded incredible!