Pulled the trigger on an SX (essex)

[Reynolds 101]

Well, I just bought my first SX ever, and Im hoping its a goodie. I had been wondering if I should man up and spend the money or just keep saving for something different but I made the decision. I bought the '75 Sunburst Jazz for $175 total, and man is this thing sexy.

If someone has bought this one before, please post your experiences or opinion

ALSO, if the tuning pegs are duds, can I swap them out for my fender p bass ones? Same thing with the bridge?

Thanks

 

[Warpticon]

Any swaps are easy except the pickguards, which might need some filing around the neck pocket. Everything else is standard Fender sizes.

 

[Reynolds 101]

Alright good to hear. The pickguard is thing that I like just as is so no trouble.

 

[doktorfeelgood]

Great looking bass. I'd be interested in knowing how the weight is as well as the balance and of course the neck playability. And last but not least how the pickups sound.
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[Warpticon]

My SX didn't come with a trigger.

 

[Demon_Hunter]

I'd suggest a super duper soft padded strap. My shoulder kills me after about 20 minutes

 

[Reynolds 101]

Great looking bass. I'd be interested in knowing how the weight is as well as the balance and of course the neck playability. And last but not least how the pickups sound.
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Ok I'll put up some stock sound clips when it arrives. And give you the full details. btw this bass make me instantly think of john paul jones every time.

 

[Reynolds 101]

I'd suggest a super duper soft padded strap. My shoulder kills me after about 20 minutes

I have one of those Comfort Strapp ones and that seems to do the trick with my p bass.

 

[jomahu]

I have one of those Comfort Strapp ones and that seems to do the trick with my p bass.

+1. regular straps would make my arm go numb.

 

[dakpluto]

ALSO, if the tuning pegs are duds, can I swap them out for my fender p bass ones? Same thing with the bridge?

Thanks

You should be able to switch, but honestly, I think the tuning pegs are one of the most well reviewed hardware pieces of all the SX Basses. They are really some nice pegs.

 

[BassBob185]

My SPJ is much lighter than my MIA Jazz but I use a Comfort strap on both. I modified mine with EMG passive pups although the stock pups were ok. Also refinished the neck.
Most likely you will need a setup and new strings neither is a big deal.

 

[dakpluto]

Most likely you will need a setup and new strings neither is a big deal.

Yeah, I can't understand people that freak over that. Any new bass is pretty much gonna need a new setup at the least to adjust it to fit what you prefer since no 2 players are the same. And strings are just the same way.

I don't care if $120 instrument or $1200 instrument, I'm gonna setup it for me.

 

[b_carville]

I bought one in February.I like it more & more.
$175 is expensive in the SX line.Did you get one of the LTD series? The LTD series has better hardware,improved pickups,etc. I played a friend's & was really impressed.Seemed as nice (if not nicer)then a standard MIM Fender.Mine's a $119 jazz bass copy.Im pretty happy with it.

Sx's are becoming more& more popular.The quality keeps on going up with each shipment.It's no wonder they have a devoted following.My favorite budget bass since the old US made Danelectro's.

And they look like you spent more money then you really did.

 

[wagdog]

I've owned probably 10 or more Fender Jazzes over the years and kept none of them. A few months ago I bought an SX Jazz (just like the picture) because I'm a sucker for maple with blocks and now I have no intention of ever getting rid of it. Sure, it needed new strings and a decent setup but everything else I kept stock. It's loud and articulate and plays decently. And I don't have to worry about it. I take it wherever, whenever. To top it all off, I pulled the covers and sold them on ebay for $20+.

 

[basseddie]

love that bass, im gassin for the 5 string version of that, gonna pull the trigger on it early august, cant wait...

 

[dabbler]

I have only modded 1 of my 3 4 string fender style basses, but both of my 5 stringers.

1. I modded the 5ers only because I wanted a badass style bridge. Unfortunately, the string spacing required me to replace the pups too (the B string wasn't balancing well). But the Alnicos do not have the snap of the stock ceramic pups (I like the stock pups).

2. Consequently, after putting an Audere and Alnico pups (Fender Original Jazzs) in my SJB57, I decided that I would keep my SJB-62 and SPJ-62 stock, for when I want that snap!

Although the LTDs do have better hardware (I've seen one used) I have no intention of getting one... though I may yet get a regular SJB fretless.

 

[Reynolds 101]

Alright it is a city away from me right now at the final destination, and its probably in the truck on the way here right now. It is seriously killing me!!!

Btw, for all looking to purchase from Rondo, I ordered it on Tuesday, and its arriving today, Friday. Thats with regular shipping. I'd say thats fantastic service, IMO.

I will give you a review once it gets here today and tell you all the details.

t

 

[jomahu]

nice! i've been thinking about getting the 5er version of that bass...y'know, 'cause my natural ash essexy bass is getting lonely.

tell us what you think of it (and clips would be nice! )

 

[Reynolds 101]

Yeah I will try and record some clips asap when I get my recording stuff back from my guitarist.

From what I heard the stock pickups are aggressive and punchy which is what I like so Im probably keeping them. And the only thing I will change is the strings, and maybe the bridge.

 

[Reynolds 101]

Ok the bass arrived about an hour ago, and I have been playing to get a feel.

Heres the rundown on most parts:

TUNERS - They are very solid and well built. They also have a longer look to them, kind of like vintage fenders.

HEADSTOCK - Its a little bit bulky compared to my fender p bass but its not an issue.

NECK - It is what most people say, a combination of a precision and a jazz bass. Its exactly what I like. The finish is of course still has the "new bass" feel to it, so after a while it will wear down from playing and it will be faster.

BODY - Its a beautiful color, and Im very glad that I bought it in sunburst. If I didnt know better, I would think it was a fender.

STRINGS - For stock strings they are very good IMO. They are a bit lighter gauge than what I like but they will certainly do.

PICKUPS - I love them, but thats me. Im not too picky about what I like in pickups but I know Im keeping these.


The action is just how I like it, so the only thing I will have to adjust is the intonation. It does neck dive a bit, but not in a bad way. It makes the bass completely level when playing it standing up. Overall I give it a 9/10, but the price automatically jacks it up to a solid 30/10