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SX basses

#43
Screnshaw said:
Does anyone have an opinion on an SX brand PJ bass? I have over 40 years experience, gig weekly and own way too many really nice basses. I was in the store last week and a bass caught my eye. Natural ash body, white pickguard... really nice. The big plus for me was it is a short scale fretless and will fill a gap as I play electric upright on 5-10 songs a night. Anyway I get it down and play it. The action and intonation are spot on and it sounds great. $150 retail (used) but I feel like I'm getting a lot more guitar than $150 should buy. What's wrong with this picture? I've done my research and understand that it's a cheap bass but it plays and sounds so damn good.

Snapper
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I have 3 a P, a J and a Jag all great basses and I gig with them regularly none have been modify other than led lights :)
 
#44
I have an older fretless SX Jazz with flats. It's a great bass and a stunning looker. I usually don't play it out because I don't want to get it banged up. I know how silly that sounds, protecting such a low cost bass while gigging with more expensive units, but you would have to see this one to understand. Every time I play it at home I get that same "Oh Yeah" feeling. I am always on the look out for used SX basses, but seldom see them. I know the guy that sold this one has kicked himself many times.

Thump on,

One_Dude
 
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#45
I have 2 30" scale J 5ers (the one with rounds is my #1) and a 32" PJ that I love to show off.
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#47
I picked one up (not bought, but literally picked one up) at a GC about a year ago. I sat it right back down. It probably played really well, as I do see a lot of love for SX basses here. It was just super heavy. Decided it was too heavy to be a serious purchase contender, so I just sat it right back down. NEXT!
 
#50
Pet Sounds said:
@Screnshaw, I haven't had any experience with the PJ, but the bass player for a fairly hot young band called Khruangbin plays an older SX Jazz as her main instrument on tour and it sounds fantastic, though I think she swapped out the pickups in it. I've always heard SX makes a good bass for the money.
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I just got my short scale fretless SX back from the shop.

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#52
I have an SX short scale jazz I bought at a yard sale for $35 (including Crate practice amp), because the kid that had it decided he wanted fretless and pulled the frets. He did a pretty decent job. I filled the kerfs, lowered the nut, shimmed the neck, and put some flats on it. Sounds and plays pretty good. If I were going to invest in it I'd change out the pups and pots. Maybe reinstall the frets.

BUT it has serious neck dive! That's a deal killer for me.

So all you SX owners - is neck dive common on SX or did I just get a bad one? I'd consider another SX if I thought it wouldn't dive.
 
#53
Wfrance3 said:
I picked one up (not bought, but literally picked one up) at a GC about a year ago. I sat it right back down. It probably played really well, as I do see a lot of love for SX basses here. It was just super heavy. Decided it was too heavy to be a serious purchase contender, so I just sat it right back down. NEXT!
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Actually you may be a bit too quick on that. personally I don't like Basswood for passive basses, but there is an out you haven't considered. And that would be a lighter basswood SX and then make it active like say adding an Audere preamp to it. I really want to experiment with that one myself one of these days!
 
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#58
I own 2 SX short scale P's....... not seen much anymore in the lone "P" pickup configuration. Very nice, solid and stout feeling basses. Also nicely finished. All stock, but I have wanted to experiment with other pickups. Nonetheless, they sound very good and have gigged the Vintage white/tort bass a couple times. My last gig I had a brick wall on my left and the shortie was the only option.
The Vintage white one weighs in at 7lb 3oz. I believe the original ad said it was alder.
The 'burst one is 7lb 5oz. Definitely alder and has great tight figuring...... tempted to strip it but ain't nobody got time for that.
I was pondering putting a Squier Jag SS neck on one of them, since I love their slim taper and feel. Again, time waits for no one......
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#60
chicoLow said:
I have an SX short scale jazz I bought at a yard sale for $35 (including Crate practice amp), because the kid that had it decided he wanted fretless and pulled the frets. He did a pretty decent job. I filled the kerfs, lowered the nut, shimmed the neck, and put some flats on it. Sounds and plays pretty good. If I were going to invest in it I'd change out the pups and pots. Maybe reinstall the frets.

BUT it has serious neck dive! That's a deal killer for me.

So all you SX owners - is neck dive common on SX or did I just get a bad one? I'd consider another SX if I thought it wouldn't dive.
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Mine is fine as far as neck dive goes. Maybe you got one with a really light body.
 

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