SX 5-string Jazz basses?

[Mastermold]

On a whim I ordered a black one last night off Rondo Music's site. $130 seemed worth the risk. So in the spirit of "shoot now ask questions later," what do you think of these? (those that own them of course!)

How's that 1.75 nut feel? Too tight spacing in the first position? How's the low B sound with those pups? And of cours, how's the overall tone and playability? Did I make a good purchase or is this bass headed for the firewood pile?

 

[GreyBeard]

1.75 at the nut is the same width as an SR-5 or L2500 so it must feel good to a lot of players.

 

[dhagler]

I have been playing a 3TS Jazz 5 for three years. Make sure you get a good setup, put your favorite strings on it, and prepared to be completely satisfied.

 

[dabbler]

My sunburst SJB-75 4+1 is my main player. I modded mine, but not because I was dissatisfied, I just wanted a higher mass bridge (unfortunately, the spacing on my replacement bridge was enough wider that I wound up replacing the pups too, to get back the B response).

A little tip I learned. If you are using a 0.130 B string (I use webstrings) and aren't happy with the tone of the B, but the rest of the strings sound fine, bend it where it passes over the saddle and nut. Not a lot, just enough to loosen it up a bit, it helps!

 

[Mastermold]

I have been playing a 3TS Jazz 5 for three years. Make sure you get a good setup, put your favorite strings on it, and prepared to be completely satisfied.

Cool! Got any pics of yours by chance?

 

[Mastermold]

Mu sunburst SJB-75 4+1 is my main player. I modded mine, but not because I was dissatisfied, I just wanted a higher mass bridge (unfortunately, the spacing on my replacement bridge was enough wider that I wound up replacing the pups too, to get back the B response).

A little tip I learned. If you are using a 0.130 B string (I use webstrings) and aren't happy with the tone of the B, but the rest of the strings sound fine, bend it where it passes over the saddle and nut. Not a lot, just enough to loosen it up a bit, it helps!

Those two look beautiful! Are those block inlays in the neck painted on like the Squier or actually inlay?

 

[mello_bedwetter]

I just looked at Rondo's site. The basses are nice looking. I haven't seen them anywhere so I haven't got to try one. What would you compare them to...Fender MIM, Ibanez GSR200, Squier, etc. ?
I like these:
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[Blues Bass 2]

I picked one up a few years ago just to have a beater around the house and ended up liking the tone so much I used it on quite a few gigs.They do need a setup and a new set of strings like dhagler says but otherwise they are pretty good.Be warned that the pickup poles won't line up with the strings just right but it doesn't affect the sound at all.I've had three of them and have a SJB75C Natural ash 5 string like dabblers only black block inlays and black pickguard coming tomorrow.They pretty much sound like a decent Fender but with a narrower neck.

No you didn't waste your money.

 

[dhagler]

Cool! Got any pics of yours by chance?

Here she is.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

Here she is.

What's that between the bridge and pick up? Nice bass.

 

[dhagler]

Mu sunburst SJB-75 4+1 is my main player. I modded mine, but not because I was dissatisfied, I just wanted a higher mass bridge (unfortunately, the spacing on my replacement bridge was enough wider that I wound up replacing the pups too, to get back the B response).

dabbler, what bridge did you use and did it fit exactly? also, did your 3ts come with a black pickguard? that's what I want on mine but kurt says he doesn't sell them separately.

 

[SuperSnake2012]

What's that between the bridge and pick up? Nice bass.

Looks like a foam mute, just to give the bass a most thumpy tone.

 

[dhagler]

What's that between the bridge and pick up? Nice bass.

Thanks. It's a piece of lightweight foam. My bass teacher recommended it. Honestly, I don't recall exactly why. But I like the sound with it.

 

[dhagler]

Looks like a foam mute, just to give the bass a most thumpy tone.

Thanks for the assist.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

Thanks. It's a piece of lightweight foam. My bass teacher recommended it. Honestly, I don't recall exactly why. But I like the sound with it.

Thanks, maybe I'll try it if I can find a piece of foam.

 

[grifo]

Hi, I got a little confusion here, in the beginning of this topic I read that the width at nut is 1.75" but reading the description of the bass that Rondo sells on ebay it says:

Width of the neck at the nut: 1 5/8" at the 20st fret: 2 5/8". String spacing at bridge is 2 11/16"

and 1 5/8" is equal to 1.62".

So which is the real one then, for me having big hands is quite important. Thx

 

[SuperDuck]

I had the lake placid blue '62 (whatever that model is called) 5-string. And it was a fantastic bass for the price. I would probably buy one again if I found myself with a spare $130 or so.

 

[Mastermold]

Hi, I got a little confusion here, in the beginning of this topic I read that the width at nut is 1.75" but reading the description of the bass that Rondo sells on ebay it says:

Width of the neck at the nut: 1 5/8" at the 20st fret: 2 5/8". String spacing at bridge is 2 11/16"

and 1 5/8" is equal to 1.62".

So which is the real one then, for me having big hands is quite important. Thx

I'm 99.9% certain that's a typo. All SX 5-strings are listed with a 1.75 nut, including the same version of this bass in fretless. And the string spacing listed is identical too, so it's just an error on the website page.

 

[Mastermold]

I had the lake placid blue '62 (whatever that model is called) 5-string. And it was a fantastic bass for the price. I would probably buy one again if I found myself with a spare $130 or so.

Why didn't you keep it?

 

[Mastermold]

Here she is.

I'm still blown away by the pics of these! Great looking bass!