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Short scale modifications

B

BassBob185

Oct 25, 2007
780
1
Rocking Chair
#1
Hello,
Just finished a few mods on my SX short scale. I swapped the pickups to EMG Selects which sound great on this little bass. Additionally, I added a new pick guard. The pick guard was originally white but I painted it with Krylon Fusion which is made just for painting plastic. The paint becomes scratch proof 7 days after painting.
Thanks
 
#2
Look great! I have the same one (it's my daughters actually). I dropped in a Fender 62 reissue and put on some flats. It sounds and plays great.


Did you 'rough up' the pickguard before you painted it??
 
#3
No roughing of the pick guard but I did wipe it down with some paint thinner which was recommended on the paint can. Spray light coats to be careful with paint runs. Also follow the recommended curing time of 7 days before active playing to get the paint to be chip/scratch proof.
 
#4
BassBob185 said:
Hello,
Just finished a few mods on my SX short scale. I swapped the pickups to EMG Selects which sound great on this little bass. Additionally, I added a new pick guard. The pick guard was originally white but I painted it with Krylon Fusion which is made just for painting plastic. The paint becomes scratch proof 7 days after painting.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi BassBob185.

The 'guard looks nice!

I'm planning on getting a couple of these maple board shorty SX Ps for a local grade school. How's E string? Does it have that typical short-scale out-of-tune-ness as one plays up the neck? And how is the stock pickup in terms of noise, and string response?

Thanks.
 
#5
Hello
The E string intonation as well as all the other strings is OK all along the neck, no problems at all in that area. The stock pickup sound OK and I didn't have any noise or hum. When I replaced the pickups I did use that opportunity to shield the pot cavity. SX shorties are well worth the money.
 
#6
MIJ-VI said:
How's E string? Does it have that typical short-scale out-of-tune-ness as one plays up the neck? And how is the stock pickup in terms of noise, and string response?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have one of these as well. The E string is great, provided you set it up with a heavy gauge set. LaBella makes the heaviest that I've found @ Juststrings.com-- 0.110g. Maybe too much for little hands, but maybe not. If you set up for strings through body, you can use a 5 string set with a 0.120g E for even better stability. The stock P pickup doesn't hum, but is a little microphonic. Tuners are good and hold tune well, just heavy. I replaced mine with Hipshot Ultralights, but Allparts has light weight sets for very little money. It's definitely a good buy!
 
#7
BassBob185 said:
Hello
The E string intonation as well as all the other strings is OK all along the neck, no problems at all in that area. The stock pickup sound OK and I didn't have any noise or hum. When I replaced the pickups I did use that opportunity to shield the pot cavity. SX shorties are well worth the money.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback BassBob185. :)
 
#8
honestjohnny said:
I have one of these as well. The E string is great, provided you set it up with a heavy gauge set. LaBella makes the heaviest that I've found @ Juststrings.com-- 0.110g. Maybe too much for little hands, but maybe not. If you set up for strings through body, you can use a 5 string set with a 0.120g E for even better stability. The stock P pickup doesn't hum, but is a little microphonic. Tuners are good and hold tune well, just heavy. I replaced mine with Hipshot Ultralights, but Allparts has light weight sets for very little money. It's definitely a good buy!
Click to expand...

Hi honestjohnny.

Thank you for your further insight into dealing with a short-scale SX P.

I reckon I'll go with Rotosound 77 flatwounds for long fret life, and for the sake of tender little fingers. (Not to mention the kids' music teacher--flats are no good for slapping... ;) )
 

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