New SX headstocks...

[mike_v_s]

No quite exact but almost mirrored! My biggest reluctance towards Carvin has always been that headstock....

Carvin has 2 or 3 headstock choices.

Mike

 

[jtc_hunter]

I dont care for the new ones. And I love my "vintage" PJ. The only changes I made to it were, tusq nut, new pickguard, S.I.T Silencer strings, and my personal setup. Plays and sounds as good as a bass that cost 10x the $.

 

[garrett77]

I was trying to remember what the new headstock reminded me of. It's this! Not exactly the same.

Hellborg's Wal. The gotah style tuners change the look a bit.

Too bad about the new headstock. I am buying an Ursa P this week. Thinking about doing a little woodwork on the headstock to add more maple.

The upswinging tip reminds me of the Guild Pilot boat-shaped headstock:

Another shape that is no good with elephant ear tuners...

 

[baba]

It does look wrong. Like SMASH said, the Fender look is why they sell. I'd get as close to the Fender headstock as legally possible.

 

[NickMarinelli]

Does anyone know if Fender still collects a license fee for headstocks which look like theirs? If so, it could be that SX decided to stop paying it due to the low profit margins on their instruments.

 

[bassbenj]

I'm not sure that's correct... I think Team can make whatever they want in China – there's no law that stops them. What matters is whether the buyers of their products (e.g., Rondo) can legally sell those products in their respective countries. If Rondo can't sell the products, then they will tell Team to give them a new headstock design.

Actually there is a law that stops them even in China which is international copyright law. Yes, we all know that China is the knock-off capital of the world, but I'm sure you know that our state department has been leaning all over them to make a more serious effort to tone it down.

I suppose Rondo can tell team SX what they think, but since most every major country has a distributor,I doubt that Rondo's word is that powerful, or for that matter that Rondo wants the headstock to change. Given all the negative vibe here, if I were Kurt I'd be trying to pull the very last old headstock bass out of Team-SX as long as I could instead of telling them to change it!

 

[zachoff]

lol i kinda loved the fender-esque headstock. i guess i'll have to get used to them. I wonder where i can get an SX Precision with the old headstock. I can't seem to find a good one on the website.

You could buy an old used SX and just replace the neck. I figure old, used SXs go for what... $10?

 

[stflbn]

Does anyone know if Fender still collects a license fee for headstocks which look like theirs? If so, it could be that SX decided to stop paying it due to the low profit margins on their instruments.

The most recent SX headstocks (before this recent hideous change) were not so close to fender's that they would need to pay a fee for licensing.

 

[savit260]

The most recent SX headstocks (before this recent hideous change) were not so close to fender's that they would need to pay a fee for licensing.

... and if they were, Lakaland, Bacchus and a few other brands would be in the same boat.

I HIGHLY doubt Fender had anything to do with the change.

 

[Ben Coffin]

You should see the headstock on my Brice J-bass, its pre-SX and its ugly as hell! I'll post some pics later.

 

[garrett77]

You could buy an old used SX and just replace the neck. I figure old, used SXs go for what... $10?

They seem to hold their value. At least on Craigslist in the LA area. There is no other (low end) brand like it.

 

[Electra Player]

The headstock really means so much to you people?

I'll never understand you SX guys.....

 

[GRISSLEHEAD]

Dude! Let me draw you a picture of how this all works. First, Rondo is the distributor, not the manufacturer. The change was made by SX (or more exactly SX-team International Music Co) not Rondo. Next, please drop trou, bend over, and allow me to demonstrate what you'll be willing to do when a team of lawyers gets shoved up your butt... OK?

Nicely Put..............

 

[mmbongo]

Carvin has 2 or 3 headstock choices.

Mike

More than that, actually:

Standard
Icon
CT
SB
V

Might be even more choices.

 

[BobWestbrook]

Don't despair, folks - relief is on the way! (Well, not literally - it will be a little while yet.)

Link Removed

 

[anyonefortennis]

Kinda looks like a lull to me, no?

 

[Krügmeister]

It's "meh" but it comes NOWHERE as ugly as a G&L headstock... I LOVE G&L basses they are awesome and play like a dream, but I can't quite stomach the headstock at all.... help!

 

[Bassslayer69]

Yup . the new headstock is ugly as heck on those otherwise vintage correct looking basses. Now the sales will plummet for sure.

Its a shame...

 

[warwick89]

Dude, i think there is enough wood on the new SX's stocks to EASILY scroll saw it into a tele shape, or at least give it some roundness so its easier on the eyes.
scroll saw, citrisrip, poly. easy. easy sunday afternoon mod if you ask me.

just my $0.02...

I reshaped my SX Ursa headstock and am very pleased pleased with the results.

 

[lavmonga]

the design change is very unfortunate, in one respect. in another, however, i will now have more money in my wallet...

+1. I don't like the new headstocks one bit.