Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New SX model... any word yet?
- Thread starter David Cardoza
- Start date
+1
Id love to hear clips...but that pickup seems closer to the bridge.[than a MM].I think it'd be closer to a ""super" Jazz tone.
JMO
I got my bast last weekend, just got it back from getting new pickups in.
First, the packing was immaculate, and I didn't buy a case. Double boxed, bubble wrapped, strings with paper on them, no damage at all.
Fit + Finish
It is a beautiful bass - everyone I know says so, even if they don't play/appreciate the finer points of instruments. Everything looks and feels excellent, no scratches, paint marks, etc. Real blocks in the neck from what I can tell, not just painted on, which is really cool.
The tuners are solid; not super-heavy duty but not wimpy either. There's no neck dive so I doubt I will change them. Bridge is standard, I may switch to a Hipshot A just because I love that bridge.
One nice thing is that the pots have a lot of resistance. You feel sure in setting your volume/tone, nice and smooth and stiff (that's what she said).
Playabilty
The neck is my favorite neck I have ever played. Smooth, comfortable, kind of like a Jazz but not quite. Perhaps a tad thinner than the last jazz I had, although not on the same level as a Geddy Lee.
Sound
The bass sounds great unplugged, good woods and construction. The pickups were a little weak and not very dynamic, but certainly usable for a starter bass or bar gig tone. The neck jazz pickup is single coil so it hums like mad, and shielding the bass didn't help too much. The stock MM pickup was pretty nice, a decent amount of bottom even though it's so close to the bridge. Blended with the Jazz pickup brings a nice complexity to the sound. So I was happy and impressed, but knew there was room to improve.
After swapping in some Delano pickups, this bass really kicks!! The humcancelling Jazz sounds amazing - deep and clear with plenty of highs I can't wait to play some more slap and fingerstyle with it. The bridge pickup is really like a super J - not so present in the lows and highs because of how close it is to the bridge, but sweet sweet mids.
I think I'll throw in a preamp to boost the bass on the MM pickup so it has enough to compare with the Jazz and then I will have my own custom bass. It's making me sell my two Warwicks and my P-bass!
First, the packing was immaculate, and I didn't buy a case. Double boxed, bubble wrapped, strings with paper on them, no damage at all.
Fit + Finish
It is a beautiful bass - everyone I know says so, even if they don't play/appreciate the finer points of instruments. Everything looks and feels excellent, no scratches, paint marks, etc. Real blocks in the neck from what I can tell, not just painted on, which is really cool.
The tuners are solid; not super-heavy duty but not wimpy either. There's no neck dive so I doubt I will change them. Bridge is standard, I may switch to a Hipshot A just because I love that bridge.
One nice thing is that the pots have a lot of resistance. You feel sure in setting your volume/tone, nice and smooth and stiff (that's what she said).
Playabilty
The neck is my favorite neck I have ever played. Smooth, comfortable, kind of like a Jazz but not quite. Perhaps a tad thinner than the last jazz I had, although not on the same level as a Geddy Lee.
Sound
The bass sounds great unplugged, good woods and construction. The pickups were a little weak and not very dynamic, but certainly usable for a starter bass or bar gig tone. The neck jazz pickup is single coil so it hums like mad, and shielding the bass didn't help too much. The stock MM pickup was pretty nice, a decent amount of bottom even though it's so close to the bridge. Blended with the Jazz pickup brings a nice complexity to the sound. So I was happy and impressed, but knew there was room to improve.
After swapping in some Delano pickups, this bass really kicks!! The humcancelling Jazz sounds amazing - deep and clear with plenty of highs I can't wait to play some more slap and fingerstyle with it. The bridge pickup is really like a super J - not so present in the lows and highs because of how close it is to the bridge, but sweet sweet mids.
I think I'll throw in a preamp to boost the bass on the MM pickup so it has enough to compare with the Jazz and then I will have my own custom bass. It's making me sell my two Warwicks and my P-bass!
The paint style, color scheme, body shape, blocks on the fretboard, and just about every other external aspect of the instrument are far beyond utilitarian and all take design and good looks into account. Why should the headstock be left out of the party, it's horrible looking on a retro shape and color scheme like a 3TS Jazz.
Somewhat accurate...I personally wouldn't spend my hard earned money on this particular bass because I think the headstock is not attractive. What's so incomprehensible about that? If there's something I dislike about it, why would I purchase it?
Example: I don't prefer the looks of the Marcus Miller Jazz bass' over-sized control plate either, and while that may sound dumb to many, and many prefer its looks or choose to ignore it, it is the one reason that has kept me from considering that bass for my arsenal.
It's the same thing as if I were to pass on an instrument because I didn't like the colors offered, or certain neck blocks/binding, or a PU configuration. I'm into looks/playability/sound on an equal level. If it doesn't have all 3 of those, I don't buy it. Simple. (That method has actually probably saved me thousands of dollars
)To each his own.
Glad to hear of the stellar review on the bass though! I'm truly not surprised. I've played some of the SX basses, and for that price, they're fantastic instruments, not to mention their great customer service.
Trust me...that headstock kept you from having to deal with wicked headstock dive.
Mine did sound fantastic though.
Ooh, Jazz with a 'bucker. Me likey.
On an unrelated not, does anyone have any information on the supposed 9-string guitars they have a tab listed for?
On an unrelated not, does anyone have any information on the supposed 9-string guitars they have a tab listed for?
I like my GB 34a and recommend it. I'd be interested in this SX if it were short scale. That's my new thing lately.
okcrum
in your chest
Looks a little like this?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Thundar might have one...in a 5.
