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SX Basses

GM60466

GM60466

May 20, 2006
3,675
313
Chi-Town
#1
A new SX arrived at my home yesterday. It is for a student of mine. It is one of the "upgraded" jazz bass style basses with the larger mass bridge, better pickups, controls, and upgraded tuning machines. I've read a lot of good reviews on this bass and I actually heard one that sounded very good.
The one that arrived fell short of my expectations
The big problem is adjusting the truss rod. The collar and the truss rod are off about 1/16 making almost impossible to fit the allen wrench in the adjustment end. Finally after an hour, I got the neck to move. I also needed a 1mm shim to get the neck angle close to being correct.
I'm so disappointed. For a few dollars more, the student who I purchased the bass for could have picked up a Squire at GC that played twice as good as the SX he got.
Anyone else had problems with the trussrod.
 
#3
Yes! I bought a spare neck on sale from Rondo (it had some "green" tinting on the maple that I've yet to find). When I went to fit an allen wrench into the trussrod nut I couldn't find one that fit (which is pretty sad because I was at school at the time and probably had access to any allen wrench sizes I could ever possibly need). :/
 
#5
Rondo will definitely replace that for you. Their customer service is outstanding. The SX basses are a little hit or miss due to the quality control at the factory, but when you get a nice one, they are every bit as good as the Squiers, in my humble opinion.
 
#8
Agreed contact Kurt, if you get a bad one they will take it back and send you a new one or refund you money it's up to you. I will say this I have been playing and collecting over 30 years and imho SX basses are a bargain. I have 30 plus basses mostly US vintage stuff and I love my SX, plays as good if not better than any 70's Fender I own.
75J002.jpg
 
#9
If you bought a Sadowsky (or Lakland, or Fodera, whatever) and had the same problem, you'd complain to the store where you bought it. The same goes for SX. And as stated, Kurt is a great guy to deal with and will make it right for you. Instead of bashing SX, call Kurt and get the problem fixed.
 
#10
i just got one of the LTD Jazz fretless versions yesterday too and I'm amazed at how great of a bass it is for $175. No, scratch that. I'd say it's a great bass for anything under $500 or so. It feels nicer to me than the Squire's I've picked up that cost $299. I'm very impressed so far, but I only have a VERY short time with it.

Also, they supplied an allen wrench with the bass to adjust the truss rod and another one to adjust the bridge saddles.
 
#12
DeanT said:
If you bought a Sadowsky (or Lakland, or Fodera, whatever) and had the same problem, you'd complain to the store where you bought it. The same goes for SX. And as stated, Kurt is a great guy to deal with and will make it right for you. Instead of bashing SX, call Kurt and get the problem fixed.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say he is bashing them. Being disappointed is a natural reaction when you receive something that is not what you expected (in a bad way, of course!).

If he said "I will never deal with SX again, terrible stuff, yada, yada, then that is another story.

The quality thing here is that many folks have dealt with Kurt before, and are able to put his mind at ease regarding customer service and Rondo's policy of "making good". He is only thinking in the best interest of his student, who is making that first time bass purchase!
 
#15
DeanT said:
Well, it certainly seems like SX bashing. What makes anyone think you couldn't have the same problem with a Squier? Besides, the problem could have happened in transit. I doesn't seem like a manufacturing problem and it certainly isn't Rondo' fault.
Click to expand...

And if I had the same problem with a Squier I would be disappointed, for sure. (and because I come from a long line of over-reacting maniacs, I would likely bash. :o

But where do you see bashing here? Maybe we are defining the word differently. I see "bashing" as fairly caustic. His comments were:

"The one that arrived fell short of my expectations." WOW, LOOK OUT!! Seriously, Not too bad. Certainly not a "someone needs a time-out" moment.

"I'm so disappointed." Again, fair enough as he expected to not have an issue with the trussrod on a bass that was received for a budding student. Kinda sucks.

"For a few dollars more, the student who I purchased the bass for could have picked up a Squire at GC that played twice as good as the SX he got." Again, the part that sticks out to me is "as the SX HE GOT". Not bashing all that is SX, just disappointed with the one received.

All he did was express disappointment in something received due to a trussrod issues (as you too would be disappointed, no??) and there are enough folks with experience with the company to explain - "Fear not consumer!!! Sir Kurt will make it all better!!"
 
#16
amandolin said:
Kinda agree with Dean, the OP should be talking to Kurt rather than to us. I don't want to discourage negative impressions of SX basses, it's just that Rondo has excellent customer service and will take care of it -- won't cost the buyer a dime if the bass is defective. I don't know many places where shipping costs are fully refunded.
Click to expand...

What, did he offend the Pope or something?

HOW DARE YOU UTTER NEGATIVITY ABOUT SX!! :scowl:

When this never occured. It was a member with an issue, story, concern, question, posting a message. Hell, GC gets hammered here daily. I don't see anyone coming to their rescue. (who would, but I digress.. :ninja: )

What Kurt does from a customer service aspect is GREAT! It is a policy I wish more would adhere to, as the customer is what keeps you going! But that said, what is wrong with bouncing a concern or issue off fellow members??

He got the reassurance that he would be taken care of, and that is the beauty of this community!

Group hug.
 
#17
OldSchoolBass said:
What, did he offend the Pope or something?

HOW DARE YOU UTTER NEGATIVITY ABOUT SX!! :scowl:

When this never occured. It was a member with an issue, story, concern, question, posting a message. Hell, GC gets hammered here daily. I don't see anyone coming to their rescue. (who would, but I digress.. :ninja: )

What Kurt does from a customer service aspect is GREAT! It is a policy I wish more would adhere to, as the customer is what keeps you going! But that said, what is wrong with bouncing a concern or issue off fellow members??

He got the reassurance that he would be taken care of, and that is the beauty of this community!

Group hug.
Click to expand...

A lot of the SX lovers are like rabid pit bulls when SX's are negatively critized, no matter how gently. I'm sure the OP will get his (student's) problem rectified in short order.
 
#20
i said it before...after the honeymoon period, i can see where my SX needs some work. neck needs adjusted (the weather/dryness here has been KILLING it), frets need dressed a bit. still haven't done it, simply because i'm lazy.

but the fundamental bass there is very good. once it's fixed, i would hold it up with any really good MIM Fender for sure.

i think the SX people get so uptight because they want to believe that the factory is pooping out gold every time, and anyone else who says otherwise is just being contrary and smug. that's not true at all. it's the same thing with Fender, Gibson, etc. you'll get a dud, regardless of brand or country of origin. the advantage here is Kurt working with the customer to provide absolute satisfaction at this price point.
 

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