Another %!#&* SX modding question...

[Muddslide]

I was looking up info to see if the Gotoh 201 bridge will drop right into an SX P-bass. Apparently this is the case.

However, in looking into this, I came across one guy's sort of online diary of modding his SX and he said while the Gotoh was a perfect fit, because it was thicker it made it harder to adjust the action as low. It did improve sustain according to this article, but he said it made it impossible to set the action as low as with the stock bridge.

He actually said if he was beginning the modding project from scratch, he wouldn't mess with swapping out the bridge.

The bridge on mine does seem like cheap pot-metal, but I don't think it's gonna melt and fall off or anything.

I'm already set on swapping out the pots and jack (and possibly nut)--should I bother with the bridge? Has anyone else had this problem of the Gotoh being too thick, or did the guy writing that piece just suck at working on instruments?

Thanks.

OH YEAH-- one other question-- I repeatedly hear that the stock SX P-bass pups seem fine. Mine seems fine, but I've only played it through a headphone amp. It's all I got. Does anyone agree with this assessment or is there a specific, good, all-around P-bass replacement pup I should look into.

Please forgive all the questions. I just came back to bass after 10 years of not playing electric instruments at all. In that time, many things have changed-- new brands are around, old brands have more and newer products, you can actually get a halfway decent bass for under $200, etc...

 

[DeanT]

I've used a Gotoh standard bridges on my SX P-bass. It fit fine and I could lower the action as far as I needed. I don't think a 201 will be a problem.

 

[pingone]

the saddles on my sx p/j are set very low. if i were to swap it for a gotoh 201 i would definately not be able to get the strings down as far as they are now. i would just shim the neck though. as far as the pickups, they sound fantastic. i would worry about changing the pickups last(or not at all).

 

[xbassmanx]

I have 2 Gotoh 201 bridges.

I did have the problem you mentioned on my Fender J.
(The saddles are almost bottomed out)

I will probably shim the neck when I get some time.

I have one on my SX PJ and it has no issues.

and I think the P pup on that bass is pretty good.

 

[GlennW]

If you're looking for good sound without wasting money I'd suggest two things:

1) good strings; LaBella DT Flats or TIJF344 flats. Both sets are expensive compared to others, but they last for YEARS. Recently somone posted he just changed his TI Flats after 8 years. If you like tighter strings, LaBella; looser, TI.

2) spend about $20 on CTS pots, a good cap, and a Switchcraft jack. If you want to get fancy you could get a push/pull pot and use the switch to select between a .1uF and a .047 or .033uF. Or, if you don't mind not having a knob, you could get a 3-way on/on/on toggle switch (like for selecting pickups)and two caps like a .033 and .047...then you'd have three tone cuts, .033, .047, and .08 (.033 + .047)...and skip the volume pot, it'll sound better. It's like running your pickup straight to the jack while having three cap options...it sounds good, much more open sounding than going through the pots. If you want to keep the stock look with knobs, you could use a rotary switch instead of the toggle switch, and use the disconnected volume knob to turn when people say you're too loud.

Forget about the bridge, tuners, pickguard, straplocks, highrise windshield wipers, etc...unless you just feel like doing it.

 

[Kennethfaria]

if anything, i would replace the bridge, and the pots.