SX Bass Models

[Steve-Mo]

Aaargh! It's a six-string guitar! Exterminate, exterminate...

Hey guys, what are thoughts on the Fender Frontmans??

Seriously though, that's funny asf and why I shouldn't be allowed a cell phone. I thought I was looking at one of those short 6s.

 

[40Hz]

Supro released a line of short scale basses in the 1000-1400 range. I've played a few and they are awesome. Im not a short scale guy but I wouldn't taking a Supro home.

Agree completely. The new Huntingtons appear to be hitting all the right targets based on the reviews. Even the demos on YouTube sound very good despite all the compression YT puts on audio tracks.

They're definitely on my radar right now even though I mostly play 34” scale.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Noob here, figured I'd add pics of my short scale Rondo/SX "rockin' rose" bass in, seems appropriate.

sanded / re-branded headstock to match

Story goes, my daughter wanted to be in a teen girl band, so I picked this up for her as a rondo b-stock
then we worked on it together 'cause I was into refinishing/modding 6 string guitars. She didn't like the rehearsal/learning part of being in a band, so I ended up with the thing. I do *try* to play it, it's quite fun,
but my bass skills are sadly lacking.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Higher end (not necessarily superior) short-scales would be from names like:

Birdsong (boutique custom builder)
Gibson (SG and EB series, and others)
Supro (Huntington series)
Höfner (500/1 or Beatle Bass and Club Bass)
Chowny (SWB-1 Scott Whitley models)

Epiphone does Gibson designs for considerably less money without a reduction in quality or tone.

Best deal going IMO for a short-scale is the Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet. These run around $300 street for a new instrument and they are absolute tone machines. I’ve got a rack of top notch basses to choose from in my music room. The Junior Jet is one of my all time favorites despite it being the least expensive bass I own. Highly recommended.

Seriously take a look at the Jr. Jet.
I have the stock Gretsch Jr. Jet 2220. I also have the Squire Jaguar Short Scale with upgraded pickups.
The Gretsch blows the Jag out of the water for tone. YMMV with different Jags, but that’s my story. BTW... Gretsch and Squier are both owned by Fender Music Inc.

 

[PauFerro]

Noob here, figured I'd add pics of my short scale Rondo/SX "rockin' rose" bass in, seems appropriate.

View attachment 3102348

sanded / re-branded headstock to match

View attachment 3102349

Story goes, my daughter wanted to be in a teen girl band, so I picked this up for her as a rondo b-stock
then we worked on it together 'cause I was into refinishing/modding 6 string guitars. She didn't like the rehearsal/learning part of being in a band, so I ended up with the thing. I do *try* to play it, it's quite fun,
but my bass skills are sadly lacking.

This is a really cool take on the Hello Kitty line. Great! I'm grinning ear to ear with how cool it is -- metal and cuteness combined in one. Too bad your daughter didn't "take; to the rehearsal part of it all.

 

[OldCoupeTom]

ok i will need to find a better pic but that makes much more sense to me

Yup! I know your post was 3 years ago. I am older with arthritic/injured hands hands. I started on an Ibanez 34" and found it to be difficult for me. Later I had the use of and now have a new Epiphone EB-0 with a 30" or 30.5 " scale. That second instrument is heavier and does not have a "horn" so the strap placement (for me anyway) makes it play "longer" (another problem for the shoulder - I'm nearing 79 and comfort is a prime consideration). I decided to get an Ibanez Mikro at 28.6" and mine is also light! It is much more comfortable and the price was great and I swapped a set of flats onto it and like it. I was reading comments from a guy who posts bass covers frequently on YouTube (Constantine Isslamow I believe is the spelling) and he reported having an SX that cost him $150 (5-6 years ago) and he plays it most. I have given some thought to looking at the SX short scale as well and wonder whether or not you ever decided to buy an SX? If so, would you be able to give me some feedback on your experiences with it (assuming you still follow this forum or this site). Thanks!!

 

[selowitch]

SX basses get a lot of love here on TB for good reason. They are nicely built instruments and excellent quality for very little money. I even like the cheap stock pickups. The only possible knock in my mind is the reputation for soft frets, which raises the possibility of problems down the road. Some folks may wish to replace the pots, capacitor, and jack but it’s not always necessary.

A TBer by the name of chunger did a really great thread a few years back about some mods to his SX basses, including the installation of stainless steel threaded inserts in the neck bolt holes.