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Rondo Music Basses

#21
"If I order one of these basses will it fall apart in my hands the day I get it?"

I really like my SX 4 string Jazz copy. My expectations were definately exceeded as far as overall feel in my hands and quality of the hardware for the money. I have the SJB-75 with natural finish.

My other bass is a Modulus Q5, so I'm used to high quality parts and high quality feel. I'm not saying its as good as a Q5, but it certainly is more than acceptable and feels like a MIM Fender or better.

Some people complain about minor cosmetic issues on the neck. For example there is a small bit of blue fiber from a shop rag under the finish on the neck binding on my bass, so obviously they don't spray these things in rooms clean as a body shop paint booth.

The only quirky thing I don't like so far is the string retainer on the 4 str. It has slots for the G and D which prevent smooth gliding of the strings when trying to tune it. When I changed the strings to quality ones, the tree scraped off the silk on the D, and made the D string difficult to tune. I used extra light strings. To fix the problem, I simply rotated the tree 90 degrees, forcing the string to glide along a smooth surface. I will change the retainer to a nice one (chrome Fender?)

I also think the nut is not as good as it could have been. I'm changing that in the future, but there is no hurry since I perceive no issues with the sound.

The tuners work great and the intonation is spot on (once I set it up that is). Some people don't like the bridge, but mine is fine.


"Does anyone know how these sound?"

I love the sound of mine. I can get at least 4 usable sounds, depending on what I'm in the mood to play. Again, the fact that it can copy most the Fender Jazz sound at $110-160 is amazing to me. I'm told the SX P bass is a good match to the Fender P bass sound as well.

If you get yours, expect to change the strings and do a setup including tweaking the truss rod (at least on mine). Some people level the frets on their SXs, so maybe you want to get a pro to do yours once you get a feel for this bass.

Put it this way, I liked mine so much I just got 2 more!
 
#22
Araillac said:
I like the fact that these basses are so low in cost but for that same reason im a little skeptical. If I order one of these basses will it fall apart in my hands the day I get it? Does anyone know how these sound? And is it a good buy for the feel and wood but should I have back up money to change out the electronics? I'm kind of strapped for cash but I'd like another bass so I'd appreciate any information I can get before I can make a mistake. Thanks :D
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As someone who's been gigging with an SX, with only a few modifications, I can tell you for certain they won't fall apart in your hands. I've spent nearly 4 years working mine, playing more shows than I can remember over a span of 6 states, so trust me when I tell you that they're as rugged as you're likely ever to need.

Some people who are used to modern type basses don't like the finish on the necks, BUT the finish is not any different than the 70's vintage Fenders that everyone seems to get all gooey over. It's just not a "satin" finish like most modern basses. It uses a more traditional gloss finished on the neck. Actually thinner than any 70's or early 80's Fender that I've ever played.

The hardware is all servicable. No, it's not the greatest stuff you've ever seen, but it certainly is functional, and pretty similar to whay you'll find on MIM Fenders or Squiers. In some cases better.
Mine has the stock tuners on it, and it's NEVER... REPEAT NOT ONCE ever come out of tune on me during the course of a show. These are very reliable and functional units.

Many people like the stock pickups. No need to change them unless you desire a different tone. I prefer a 60's style P bass tone, so mine has a Jason Lollar p/u in it. The stock p/u sounded fine, but wasn't exactly what I wanted, therefore the swap.

Fretwork will depend on how low you like your action, and sometimes can be hit or miss. If you get one with rough fret work, Rondo has a very generous return/swap policy. Most will be fine.

The bridge is your typical bent sheet metal , vintage Fender style. Not fancy, but they do work just fine.

The Pots, and Jack are typical of budget basses in general. They work fine, and if you ever found that they were giving you trouble from LOTS of use, it's only about $15 to upgrade to very high quality ones. You'll probalby never need to upgrade them.

I replaced the stock jack on mine after a little over three years worth of gigging. Keep in mind this bass gets worked pretty hard.

Here's a couple working shots from a recent show or two.
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Notice the American Standard Fender that's my backup. ;)
 
#23
My first new bass was a Jazz 5 in three-tone sunburst. I played it stock for three years, just recently sold it for a little more than what I paid for it.

If your budget is less than $200, go for it. For that you get the bass and a good setup (which it will need), and possibly a new set of strings (which it will also need). Play it stock for a while, then sell it and put the money toward your next bass. Or keep it and upgrade little by little. I was on the verge of changing tuners when I sold it.
 
#26
I have had some experience with Rondo and when I got my first bass from them (a jazz copy) I became a customer for life. I liked it so much, that I ordered a Douglas 5 string from them and was disapointed in the bridge. Kurt at Rondo took it back, and I am in the process of getting an SX 5 string jazz bass. I will next be ordering a p-bass. I find the hardware/materials/pickups to be above average and rediculous for the money. They are stout, hearty, solid basses to gig with. I use them frequently so I don't have to bring out my vintage basses and have some drunk halfwit fall on them and break the neck. I saw all the great reviews they were getting here and took the plunge. I am very happy I did. I think they kill the Squire VM stuff for half the price.

Just my humble opinion.
 
#27
obviousmrfuller said:
I have had some experience with Rondo and when I got my first bass from them (a jazz copy) I became a customer for life. I liked it so much, that I ordered a Douglas 5 string from them and was disapointed in the bridge. Kurt at Rondo took it back, and I am in the process of getting an SX 5 string jazz bass. I will next be ordering a p-bass. I find the hardware/materials/pickups to be above average and rediculous for the money. They are stout, hearty, solid basses to gig with. I use them frequently so I don't have to bring out my vintage basses and have some drunk halfwit fall on them and break the neck. I saw all the great reviews they were getting here and took the plunge. I am very happy I did. I think they kill the Squire VM stuff for half the price.

Just my humble opinion.
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Just wondering, which Douglas 5-string did you get, and why were you disappointed with the bridge? (i.e. was it a design flaw, or a single faulty bridge, etc)
 
#28
Well, I currently own a 6 string Brice bought at rondo. This bass is priced at 280USD but could easily be sold for 500USD.

I can't tell you anything about SX basses but I can tell you that you can expect to have a solid bass from Rondo. Reason I buy at rondo is because they have a nice line-up of south paw basses. Maybe when I have more money in my budget I'll start looking at adirondackguitar.com hehehehe.

I am actually planning on buying an SX SPJ Ash, from what I have read on various reviews it's definetly a bang-for-the-buck. ALthough I do plan to swap out for active EMGs.
 
#31
I can't believe you people who jump in here and start asking about a topic that has THOUSANDS of enthusiastic posts. Look up Essex, because the search engine can't find short words like SX. I have 4 Rondo basses at the moment. I returned two that had minor neck problems. I want, and I get, 100% perfect instruments. They even pay the shipping back if you don't like it. The company is top notch, and 2 out 3 ain't bad at all on the instruments, 'cause I expect and demand perfection. No I don't work for them.

They are beautifully finished and all this talk of necessary upgrades is nonsense IMHO. You WILL need to set it up, and you WILL need high end strings, neither of which come with any mass-produced basses. The pickups, bridge and pots are fine unless you get a lemon, which can happen with any brand. Don't like it? return it. Chances are you will love it. Just play it, they're fine off the shelf. A $100 bridge does literally nothing but look cool. A $100 set of pickups generally changes very little. You want to spend more? OK, be my guest. So, do some very high-end pickups sound great? Yes, they do. But I would suggest: just get some very good strings with unique character, tighten the screws, set it up top notch, or have it set up by a pro, and enjoy it. Just go for it. I bet you end up with 2 or more Rondo basses before 6 months are up, including a fretless. Play your Essex and try out some very high-end basses in the meantime, THEN decide what kind of pickups, bling accessories and platinum-plated straploks might actually be worth the extra money.
 
#33
mantelclock said:
Hey savit260,

Did that girl in the picture know that you were playing a lowly SX? I'll bet not!!!
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HAHA Nope, and I really don't think that she, the audience, the people who buy c.d.'s , T-Shirts and other merch, or the people that nominated the band for a Boston Music Award care either. ;)... and I'd never call that bass "lowly".

Notice again in the pics, that my backup is a new American Standard Fender.:eek:
martyman5000 said:
You can buy a Squire for $180

Invalid Link Removed


Rondo Music is a authorized Fender/ Squier dealer.



Ed Treat

Fender Consumer Relations

Fender Musical Instruments Corp.

8860 East Chaparral Road, Suite 100

Scottsdale, AZ 85250-2610

Telephone: 480-596-9690 ex. 7274

Fax: 480-367-5262

E-mail: [email protected]

I still think its better to buy a bass at a store and try it out.
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I've played dozens of Squier Affinity Series basses. More expensive than the SX, and the hardware isn't as nice.

Ill take an SX over a Squier Affinity any day of the week.

The Squier Vintage Modifides, and the Classic Vibe series,(more than twice the price of and SX) are of similar quality, yet still use substitute woods for the bodies. The SX's are Alder and Ash, like a propper Fender P or J should be. Can't say that for the VM's or the CV's.
 
#34
I agree with the bang for buck comments. I have 5 Ricks and wanted a Jazz bass. I looked for months, at all the stores around here, and what I saw was not to my liking. The MIA were overpriced for what they were and WHAT I WANTED TO SPEND, the MIM were not the quality I would expect at that price point, the Squiers were almost or as good as the MIM, but I did not like the tone (even the special one with the SD pickups). I read both SX threads, all posts, and went ahead and bought a black SJB62. What I got was a decent bass that needed a little attention. I had 3 high frets (a little leveling solved this), and the controls are not the best (replaced the pots). The machine heads are actually really good (tighten the big screw). They stay in tune. The tailpiece is adequate - better than one I bought from Stew-Mac. All in all, it plays like a dream, sounds better than the Squier (stock and SD model) and MIM Fender, and is inspiring to play. Great value for the dollar. IMHO
 
#35
I have a Douglas WVEB Violin Bass VS Fretless from Rondo, and I'm loving it. My husband has bought at least 3 guitars from there and his first bass. Then he got me my Douglas, and it's great. He's always been highly impressed with both the quality and the customer service of Rondo. The only thing we did to mine so far is replace the strings with flat-wounds.
 
#37
The Douglas bass I bought was the neck thru 5-string model in transparent red. The problem was that the bridge was not adjustable with out routing out most of the wood under it. I could not pring the action down to a comfortable level for me. COuld have been a design flaw or just a defect in that unit.

To the Fender guy - I was speaking more about the Squire Vintage Modified Series basses, that SX makes very similar models at half the price. I know I can get a Squire for 180 bucks, but I'm not 15. Just kidding!! ; )
 
#39
Araillac said:
well im looking at this bass here. Link Removed what kind of pick ups would you suggest i swap in place of them if im playing mainly punk music? Or should i just keep those pick ups?
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I have thought about buying that bass too. I have a sx jazz ash and am happy with the quality. I also have a short scale jazz which I am happy with. My son loves it a bit more than i though :)

I wish i knew if the body was much smaller than a typical jazz though. I really don't like to play a jazz because the body is so large.
 
#40
I own a Squier P-Bass Special - it now has an SX neck on it. It also has a DiMarzio bridge, Schaller tuners, and non-stock pickups.
I own an SX Jag and I haven't changed a thing. My Squier cost $179 new about 8 years ago - $40 less than my SX did 6 MONTHS ago. Nearly everything on the SX is better quality. A Fender product, even a Squier, with the same level of quality will cost you $300+. The additional money buys you a headstock design. I'm in the market for another affordable P-Bass style instrument - guess what company will get my business this time.
 

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