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Short scale SX basses

#41
I've been playing my SJB-75 3TS short jazz a lot lately. With the TI Jazz Flats and the Schaller bridge, it sounds great and is so easy to play, it's addictive! I love the 30" scale. IMHO, there is no loss of tone going from 34" to 30" scale, at least not with a four string bass.

It's been the main bass I've used while comparing the Carvin BX-500 and Genz Shuttle 6.0 heads. Sounds great through both of them!

I'm thinking about picking up an SX short scale fretless of some sort to pair up with this one.
 
#42
billoetjen said:
Hey, :::Bassist:::,

Where did you get the short scale jag? They're not back on Rondo's site yet, and Kurt told me that they won't be in for awhile....

Is this a used one? Kurt mentioned that the neck-dive issue will be ironed out by the time they come back.

Thanks,

Bill
Click to expand...
I bought it off TB.

It will soon be for sale... really cheap. $65
 
#43
OK - I'm an idiot. It took me this long to realize that the SX short scale axes have scaled-down body sizes. Humph. :(

Rondo is kinda sketchy about this. The website publishes the "width at widest point" spec and the number on the short scales is identical to the width of the same style 3/4 basses.
Not the same body dimensions as the 34" scale basses. This is one more reason to think carefully, and ask about y'all experience with these. I LIKE the feel and heft of a full-size bass. I'm concerned that It'll feel like a toy if the short scale is scaled down. The jag look-alike is starting to look like less of an option. :crying:

Any input, folks?

Bill
 
#45
Bill-

To me, the SX SS that I have feels like a regular bass. No, it's not as big as a regular Jazz clone bass. Yes, it's noticeably lighter. But it's still well made.

My take on it is, it's a different scale and size instrument. Those who play guitar are playing a small scale and size instrument, but don't consider them to be less serious an instrument because they are smaller than Leo Fender-conceived 34" scale basses.

30" scale works fine for four string basses.
 
#46
Michael and Torin,

Thanks for the input, peeps. As it happens, I'm a recovering guitarist, so the smaller body size doesn't necessarily put me off. I just wonder how I'll feel with a smaller bass body. I'm also aware that the first fretted electric bass was a short scale. I guess I'll have to order one when they become available and be prepared to ship it back if it doesn't suit me (I just hate messing around with packing, and UPS, etc.). Who knows, I may be crazy about it. Kurt knows what he's doing and so far my experience with Rondo has been 110% satisfying.

But, I have to wonder if there is any difference between the "short scale" basses and the "3/4" size ones. Or is it just a label to increase exposure? That's what confused me. I don't judge Rondo's marketing either way, I just would like to be better informed. Keep up the great work everybody - BassTalk is the best!

Bill
 
#49
I have the 3/4 "Jaguar" style (lefty), and I can tell you, it's not a toy. I put on some LaBella 'Deep Talkin' flats, replaced the bridge (only because I had a Gotoh 201 laying around, not because the bass needed it), put on chrome knobs (again, only because I already had some), and not only does this little bass put out some real sound, but gets alot of attention also. I was a little taken aback when I first saw it and how small it is, but after using it for awhile, I think I might have a hard time going back to my full size basses.
 
#50
becker4567 said:
I have the 3/4 "Jaguar" style (lefty), and I can tell you, it's not a toy. I put on some LaBella 'Deep Talkin' flats, replaced the bridge (only because I had a Gotoh 201 laying around, not because the bass needed it), put on chrome knobs (again, only because I already had some), and not only does this little bass put out some real sound, but gets alot of attention also. I was a little taken aback when I first saw it and how small it is, but after using it for awhile, I think I might have a hard time going back to my full size basses.
Click to expand...
And no neck dive?

BTW, here is a clip of me and my band and I am playing my SX ss J with a whole bunch of upgrades.



Edit: yes, I am a bit of a goober in that clip, but I am trying to make up for a lack of stage presence by most of the rest of the band.
 
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#52
::::BASSIST:::: said:
And no neck dive?

BTW, here is a clip of me and my band and I am playing my SX ss J with a whole bunch of upgrades.



Edit: yes, I am a bit of a goober in that clip, but I am trying to make up for a lack of stage presence by most of the rest of the band.
Click to expand...


Yup, the 3/4 SX Jag has some impressive neck dive, but I played a Hofner violin bass for quite a while (which has some neck dive), so it didn't take much to adjust to the SX. I use a wide roughed up leather strap and it helps alot. By the way, nice vid, and nice bass playing too! Actually, you look pretty cool. What mods did you do to your bass that your using, and did they make alot of difference?
Rich L
Short Scale Club #199
Mediocre Bassist Club #285
 
#53
Thanks bro.

I did alot to that bass. Suffice it to say the only thing that is stock is the wood.

HS ultralite tuners
Dimarzio Model J pups (highly recommended... really ballsy pickups)
BA II bridge. Again recommended with shortscales to give them more focus and clarity.
Orange drop cap. A key part of my tone. I have the tone pot just less than half reduced.
white pearl pg
Luthier installed a graphite nut and did a full fret job and intonation. she did good work, but not cheap. She made me the PG too.

I'm quite happy with this bass. I wonder how my $2000 custom ss Stambaugh (thats on order) will compare? The idea is when the Stambaugh is ready it will be my gigging bass and the SX will be my backup/ bang around the house bass.

As to the Jag, I couldnt deal with the neck dive. Its one of the items I have to sell soon.
 
#54
wolfbass1025 said:
heads up on pickup swapping:

I have a set of Dimarzio Ultra Jazz's in my full scale SX jazz that sound great. I bought another set for my short scale SX and they don't fit! Crap! Can anyone tell me which replacement pickups will definitely fit.... from your experience and not in theory?
Click to expand...

As I said previously in looks like Fender J sized pickups will fit. For schnitz and giggles I recently installed a set of Fender '62 RI pickups in my SX shortscale J and they dropped right in.
 
#56
Got a stripe for my SX "Mustang".
sxshorty009.jpg
 
#57
wolfbass1025 said:
heads up on pickup swapping:

I have a set of Dimarzio Ultra Jazz's in my full scale SX jazz that sound great. I bought another set for my short scale SX and they don't fit! Crap! Can anyone tell me which replacement pickups will definitely fit.... from your experience and not in theory?

thanks.

ps these are great basses, and I am more than satisfied from a value perspective. I wouldn't expect a 4 dollar steak to taste like USDA prime, and I wouldn't expect a 150 dollar bass to sound or play like a lakland. Thats just reality. But for 150, this is a killer little bass! My full scale SX gets plenty of play. it has tapewounds on it currently. I also have an F, a Roscoe, and a lakland, so I'm well aware of what a killer bass is. whats "good" and "valuable" is seriously relative.
Click to expand...

I had Ultra Jazzes put in my ss SJB with no problem, but that was like 3 years ago. Maybe they are made differently now. I tried to switch the necks of my 2 newer ss SPB-57s but they wouldnt fit.
 
#58
CB3000 said:
Has anybody found a decent, easy-to-install 1 1/2" nut for an sx? The nut on my short scale is ok but I'd like to upgrade.
Click to expand...

I just had Brian at Buzzards bass cut me a new bone nut for my SX short scale P bass. He set the slots for D'Addario chrome diameters. I am going to (try to) install it when it gets here in a few days. He will also do Tusq or other materials if you like.
 

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