Essex (SX) Scorpion Bass

[The modifier]

Ive searched for any input on this bass but so far no luck, im THIS close to purchasing it, I just need some input on it, does anyone know if the back of the neck is really black, id be really bummed if I buy it and it turns out to be unpainted maple, any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[gomania16]

I dont know if this is relevant but you could try www.sxguitarspain.com and maybe see more pics of it. But it may not be the same as they have here. Email them and ask.

 

[The modifier]

I'll do that, but there's gotta be someone in here who has it.

 

[Sharp Objects]

If you don't get a straight up answer here, definitely email Kurt at rondo, he'll have the answer, and if he doesn't, he'll check and get back to you real quick.

I'm fairly certain it is black though. Its really nice looking too.

 

[The modifier]

Yup emailed him today, ill post the answer as soon as he gets back to me.

 

[Ronbeast]

Theres a pic on rondomusic that shows it with an all black neck,I'm not sure if they all do but the pics I've seen do have the black on the neck.

 

[The modifier]

In any case I would just like to make sure, not go through the hassle of sending it back if its not.

 

[The modifier]

Heres the reply: The back of guitar and neck are black

Kurt. time to order

 

[dave120]

Let us know how it is when you get it. I've been tempted to buy one of those over the last couple years but have always gotten sidetracked in other projects. There really is very little about them on the boards so I'm curious how the quality of them is.

 

[EagleMoon]

I remember somebody on here getting one of these for their kid a while back. Apparently the neck and body are a little different from the standard SX jazz.

 

[The modifier]

Ill let you know when it arrives, and EagleMoon I do remember seeing that thread but I think that was for and SX Pirate Bass not sure though, in any case ill be placing my order tomorrow and ill post some pics when it arrives, this will be my first SX, but from what ive seen so far on TB im in for a great bass, anyone that has experience with SX jazz pick ups, your input would be really helpful and appreciated.

 

[EagleMoon]

Ill let you know when it arrives, and EagleMoon I do remember seeing that thread but I think that was for and SX Pirate Bass not sure though, in any case ill be placing my order tomorrow and ill post some pics when it arrives, this will be my first SX, but from what ive seen so far on TB im in for a great bass, anyone that has experience with SX jazz pick ups, your input would be really helpful and appreciated.

Oh, maybe it was! I forgot they had the pirate bass too.

 

[The modifier]

Id be getting that one if it had both J pick ups, but its a PJ, so im sticking with the scorpion, but the pirate one even comes with a pirate head scarf

 

[EagleMoon]

Id be getting that one if it had both J pick ups, but its a PJ, so im sticking with the scorpion, but the pirate one even comes with a pirate head scarf

I like the no-pickguard look on the pirate bass, but those red pickups and binding are a bit tacky, IMO. They should throw in a toy scorpion with the scorpion bass. A real one would a bit much tho...

 

[The modifier]

LOL, or one of those Candy Lollipops that have a real edible scorpion in them YUM!!!

 

[EagleMoon]

LOL, or one of those Candy Lollipops that have a real edible scorpion in them YUM!!!

NOW we're talking.

 

[The modifier]

Ive actually tried them, they're actually quite tasty.

 

[Diogenes]

...anyone that has experience with SX jazz pick ups, your input would be really helpful and appreciated.

IMHO they're very good sounding pickups. However the ones I've worked on are built differently than more expensive pickups. First off they have big block ceramic magnets mounted at the bottom of the coil which give the steel poles their magnetism. Secondly the flatware (bobbins) are plastic instead of a heat tolerant fiberboard of some sort so they do not have solder eyelets to which the leads and coil winding ends are soldered. Instead the leads are soldered directly to the coil winding ends and then bound against the coil with binding tape. The only drawback I can think of with this method is that it's a somewhat fragile assembly if you take the coil out of it's cover and start monkeying with it but then I really see no need to want to do this anyway. Also the pickups are potted with what appears to be paraffin wax which is what I use to pot my own pickups.

I've always been impressed with the tone of the SX j-bass pickups even though the DC resistance can vary quite a bit from coil to coil. The SX j-bass coils I tested varied from 8.8K ohms to 9.7K ohms but usually the bridge pickup had about .2K ohms more resistance than the neck pickup.