I currently have some great basses sitting in my living room. One is my 55-02 which is already up for sale, and the other is my CAR Fender RBV I recently bought from user "Pickles." One other bass that's currently in the same room, is my 4-string SX '75C (the one with 3TS finish and the maple neck with black blocks and binding.)
(Some info on the SX: I recently overhauled the electronics by installing Dimarzio Model J's and wiring up a passive V/B/T harness with a Series/Parallel switch. I also have the bass strung with DR Lo-Riders.)
After playing all three today, I can honestly say that the 4-string SX is the one that just sings to me. The other two are fantastic playing and sounding basses, but I find that the simple, classic 4 string Jazz bass tone is what I love. Flip the switch into the Series setting, and I'm almost is P bass territory, but with more "growl." I'm sure that the combination of the Model J's and DR Lo-Rider is to account for the incredible amount of juicy low-mids.
The SX's output is much hotter than the other two basses (I have the 55-02's preamp set at the lowest gain level) and just seems so organic and natural. I find the 55-02 to be too "active" for me, and the RBV, while a Jazz-style bass, just doesn't have what I'm looking for.
When it comes to playability, the RBV and 55-02 naturally outplay the SX only in the fretwork category, as the SX could use some light leveling in a few spots. If the frets on the SX were level it would seriously be in the same category of playability as any of the basses I've ever played. I also sanded down the neck and thinned the finish, so the SX has a nice broken-in satin-like feel.
All of that said, I'm seriously considering selling both the 55-02 and the RBV since I find myself playing the Jazz much more than anything else. With the money from the sale of these two I'll have more than enough money to try out an Audere in the 4-string and fix up the 5 string fretless SX I also have sitting in my living room.
Am I crazy or what?
(Some info on the SX: I recently overhauled the electronics by installing Dimarzio Model J's and wiring up a passive V/B/T harness with a Series/Parallel switch. I also have the bass strung with DR Lo-Riders.)
After playing all three today, I can honestly say that the 4-string SX is the one that just sings to me. The other two are fantastic playing and sounding basses, but I find that the simple, classic 4 string Jazz bass tone is what I love. Flip the switch into the Series setting, and I'm almost is P bass territory, but with more "growl." I'm sure that the combination of the Model J's and DR Lo-Rider is to account for the incredible amount of juicy low-mids.
The SX's output is much hotter than the other two basses (I have the 55-02's preamp set at the lowest gain level) and just seems so organic and natural. I find the 55-02 to be too "active" for me, and the RBV, while a Jazz-style bass, just doesn't have what I'm looking for.
When it comes to playability, the RBV and 55-02 naturally outplay the SX only in the fretwork category, as the SX could use some light leveling in a few spots. If the frets on the SX were level it would seriously be in the same category of playability as any of the basses I've ever played. I also sanded down the neck and thinned the finish, so the SX has a nice broken-in satin-like feel.
All of that said, I'm seriously considering selling both the 55-02 and the RBV since I find myself playing the Jazz much more than anything else. With the money from the sale of these two I'll have more than enough money to try out an Audere in the 4-string and fix up the 5 string fretless SX I also have sitting in my living room.
Am I crazy or what?
If you took off the SX logo, you'd never guess that it's a <$200 bass with $100 worth of hardware and electronics.
What are the SX neck shape and finish like?
