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Essex (SX) prices?

thobbinghotrod

thobbinghotrod

Dec 31, 2006
524
13
Minneapolis
#1
I'm looking seriously at an SX P bass. They have a white P with rosewood for $115, but then I see they have an ash P for $170. If the extra money means better quality then I'll go for the higher priced one, but if it's just because of the clear finish, I'll go with the white one. What do the prices mean?
 
#2
The pups on the $170 are supposedly of better quality, and also the fancy block inlay and binding on the necks.

I had the "upgraded" version of the Jazz bass (I think they're sold out at the moment ) and a few of the regular cheap-o P-basses. I didn't really notice THAT much of a difference, but maybe others have.
 
#3
The only differences I can see are that the white /rosewood one has an Alder body, and the ash one has an Ash Body (!) If you think that the ash body and natural finish is worth the extra bucks, then go for it. If not, stick with the white.
 
#4
Batmensch said:
The only differences I can see are that the white /rosewood one has an Alder body, and the ash one has an Ash Body (!) If you think that the ash body and natural finish is worth the extra bucks, then go for it. If not, stick with the white.
Click to expand...

This is basically it. Rosewood/alder will have slightly more mellow tone than the ash which will be sharper and slightly brighter. The natural finish is a nice looker (alder tends to have a lack of grain so natural doesn't look like much) and there is a pearloid white pickguard on the ash. I always change the pickguards on my SX because I think the plain white or black look cheap. Also the more expensive ones give you a much better chance of not having to file frets (this is a matter of luck with SX)

Personally I tend to spend the added cash because it means better hardware, less mods for me to do and Ash is my favorite tonewood anyway. But on the other hand I do own a nice cheap (in those days $99) alder/rosewood fretless SX Jazz that I have no complaints about the tone or anything else. (did put a tort pickguard on it though...)
 
#5
Bassbenj - I asked this on the SX mega thread but got no response and since you brought it up here . . .

I'm also not real fond of the white pickguard on my long scale SX fretless jazz. Thinking about tort or black instead. Is there a particular source you would recommend for a replacement pickguard that requires minimal modification? I understand the holes might not line up but I'd prefer one that didn't need any other reshaping, if possible. Also, have you ever tried to just paint a stock pickguard? I'm thinking some satin / semi-gloss black paint might look pretty descent too.

Thanks . . . Charlie
 
#6
people have painted their pick guards with various levels of success. On my SX jazz, I fitted an aftermaket pick guard that was supposed to be a direct Fender replacement. I had to do some mild fitting work around the pickup and at the control plate. I think I may have had to drill a screw hole or two as well. It was not a lot of work and the results were good.
 
#7
FlaCharlie said:
Bassbenj - I asked this on the SX mega thread but got no response and since you brought it up here . . .

I'm also not real fond of the white pickguard on my long scale SX fretless jazz. Thinking about tort or black instead. Is there a particular source you would recommend for a replacement pickguard that requires minimal modification? I understand the holes might not line up but I'd prefer one that didn't need any other reshaping, if possible. Also, have you ever tried to just paint a stock pickguard? I'm thinking some satin / semi-gloss black paint might look pretty descent too.

Thanks . . . Charlie
Click to expand...

I just haul the factory pickguard over to Pickguardian.com (they are local to me) and get an exact copy in whatever I choose. (Note SX pickguards are not identical from bass to bass even on the same model) Then get out wallet and pay for it! In the past I've tried using standard pickguards to save money, but the amount of "adjusting" needed discouraged me from going that route.

I've seen people here go the paint route and I thought about it, but I've always been scared that with a bit of normal wear it would start to chip off.
 

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