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SX (essex) Replacment Necks

X

xplorer

Aug 7, 2008
23
0
Connecticut
#1
So I've been looking buying an SX as a cheap bass to work on over the summer to have as a cheap bass to keep around in my dorm next semester, and was looking at possibly replacing the neck as its first upgrade.

However, the general consensus on whether or not a replacement neck from Allparts, Warmoth, Mighty Mite, etc would drop into an SX seemed to be a definite "maybe." :hmm:

So, what I am asking is if you have replaced the neck of your SX, could you please say who made the replacement, and if it fit without modification. And If you DID have to modify it, could you explain what had to be done to make it fit? This information would be tremendously helpful, plus it'd make this thread quite useful to those who want to do the same mod in the future, since all the threads i found in my searches weren't clear at all.

Also it'd be nice to do away with that ugly new headstock....:D
 
#2
It is really simple. The neck rout in an SX is wider than a Fender. Any neck intended as a Fender replacement will be too loose a fit in the SX body. I have also heard that there is some difference between the neck heels of the SX P and SX jazz but I only have a P.

There are some other basses, mostly low end Chinese made basses, that have similar neck dimensions and may interchange but these necks are usually the same quality as the SX. Once you know your neck pocket dimensions, these can be found on EBay.

From what I hear and have experienced most SX necks seem to be decent. Some need more work than others and some will be defective right out of the box.

Why do you want to replace the neck?
 
#3
TheSuzie said:
It is really simple. The neck rout in an SX is wider than a Fender. Any neck intended as a Fender replacement will be too loose a fit in the SX body. I have also heard that there is some difference between the neck heels of the SX P and SX jazz but I only have a P.

There are some other basses, mostly low end Chinese made basses, that have similar neck dimensions and may interchange but these necks are usually the same quality as the SX. Once you know your neck pocket dimensions, these can be found on EBay.

From what I hear and have experienced most SX necks seem to be decent. Some need more work than others and some will be defective right out of the box.

Why do you want to replace the neck?
Click to expand...

Actually, I purchased a Mighty Mite neck for an SX bass and the fit was almost perfect and tight enough to chip the finish from the side of the neck pocket when removing. :hmm: (fixed the finish with a Crazy glue drop fill, btw)
 
#4
TheSuzie said:
It is really simple. The neck rout in an SX is wider than a Fender. Any neck intended as a Fender replacement will be too loose a fit in the SX body. I have also heard that there is some difference between the neck heels of the SX P and SX jazz but I only have a P.

There are some other basses, mostly low end Chinese made basses, that have similar neck dimensions and may interchange but these necks are usually the same quality as the SX. Once you know your neck pocket dimensions, these can be found on EBay.

From what I hear and have experienced most SX necks seem to be decent. Some need more work than others and some will be defective right out of the box.

Why do you want to replace the neck?
Click to expand...

I'm worried about if I get a defective neck. I'm trying to see what options there are.
 
#9
screaminglucy said:
i had the same experience. mighty mite fit and was tight (on an SX P)
Click to expand...

vstring3 said:
Actually, I purchased a Mighty Mite neck for an SX bass and the fit was almost perfect and tight enough to chip the finish from the side of the neck pocket when removing. :hmm: (fixed the finish with a Crazy glue drop fill, btw)
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... I'm planning on going with a Jazz, so i wonder if a Mighty Mite would fit that model as well
 
#12
xplorer said:
Also it'd be nice to do away with that ugly new headstock....:D
Click to expand...

Bandsaw!

I would NOT change SX necks or pickups or even the bridge unless you happen to have a nice heavy one laying around just for drill.

What I do suggest is that once you get the SX there are a few important things that DO need done.

0. Before you do anything test out the new bass. Check the setup and if necessary adjust bridge height and truss rod as required to your style. Play EVERY note on the neck both amped and unplugged listening for buzz, tone and dead spots. Check bass for other damage. [loose parts, finish dings etc.] In other words do a through check to make the decision to keep or send back for another! Kurt will do his best to keep you happy!

Then once you decide "keep":

1. get new strings. Maybe even try a few brands or types to see what floats your boat on the SX. This takes some money and some time.

2. Do a shielding job. Get a copper foil shielding kit and take time to do it right

3. While apart for shielding check wiring. Change tone cap from cheap ceramic disk to orange drop or equivalent. If you want to subject the bass to really hard use change the pots otherwise don't bother.

4. Also while shielding I strongly urge you to add a series parallel switch either for Jazz pickups or halves of the P pickup. It gives a very handy tonal variation with little effort.

5. Again if the bass is to be heavily used, swap out the chinese jack with a switchcraft jack. (I didn't, but the Chinese jacks are known for losing contact tension with numerous plugings and unplugings. A SC won't)

6. Put it all back together and do a total detailed setup (or have it done) including pickup height and the rest set to your particular style of playing.

7. Be totally amazed at the bass you now own!
 
#13
bassbenj said:
Bandsaw!

I would NOT change SX necks or pickups or even the bridge unless you happen to have a nice heavy one laying around just for drill.

What I do suggest is that once you get the SX there are a few important things that DO need done.

0. Before you do anything test out the new bass. Check the setup and if necessary adjust bridge height and truss rod as required to your style. Play EVERY note on the neck both amped and unplugged listening for buzz, tone and dead spots. Check bass for other damage. [loose parts, finish dings etc.] In other words do a through check to make the decision to keep or send back for another! Kurt will do his best to keep you happy!

Then once you decide "keep":

1. get new strings. Maybe even try a few brands or types to see what floats your boat on the SX. This takes some money and some time.

2. Do a shielding job. Get a copper foil shielding kit and take time to do it right

3. While apart for shielding check wiring. Change tone cap from cheap ceramic disk to orange drop or equivalent. If you want to subject the bass to really hard use change the pots otherwise don't bother.

4. Also while shielding I strongly urge you to add a series parallel switch either for Jazz pickups or halves of the P pickup. It gives a very handy tonal variation with little effort.

5. Again if the bass is to be heavily used, swap out the chinese jack with a switchcraft jack. (I didn't, but the Chinese jacks are known for losing contact tension with numerous plugings and unplugings. A SC won't)

6. Put it all back together and do a total detailed setup (or have it done) including pickup height and the rest set to your particular style of playing.

7. Be totally amazed at the bass you now own!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all these suggestions, I'd completely forgotten about having to shield the control cavity. I'll probably work my way through most of these upgrades over time, and from what I've heard around here, it'll be a great bass! :bassist:
 
#14
bassbenj said:
Bandsaw!

I would NOT change SX necks or pickups or even the bridge unless you happen to have a nice heavy one laying around just for drill.

What I do suggest is that once you get the SX there are a few important things that DO need done.

0. Before you do anything test out the new bass. Check the setup and if necessary adjust bridge height and truss rod as required to your style. Play EVERY note on the neck both amped and unplugged listening for buzz, tone and dead spots. Check bass for other damage. [loose parts, finish dings etc.] In other words do a through check to make the decision to keep or send back for another! Kurt will do his best to keep you happy!

Then once you decide "keep":

1. get new strings. Maybe even try a few brands or types to see what floats your boat on the SX. This takes some money and some time.

2. Do a shielding job. Get a copper foil shielding kit and take time to do it right

3. While apart for shielding check wiring. Change tone cap from cheap ceramic disk to orange drop or equivalent. If you want to subject the bass to really hard use change the pots otherwise don't bother.

4. Also while shielding I strongly urge you to add a series parallel switch either for Jazz pickups or halves of the P pickup. It gives a very handy tonal variation with little effort.

5. Again if the bass is to be heavily used, swap out the chinese jack with a switchcraft jack. (I didn't, but the Chinese jacks are known for losing contact tension with numerous plugings and unplugings. A SC won't)

6. Put it all back together and do a total detailed setup (or have it done) including pickup height and the rest set to your particular style of playing.

7. Be totally amazed at the bass you now own!
Click to expand...

Awesome advice!!

I got an SX P/J a little over a year ago, and the neck was (and is) awesome. Infact, the only thing i had to do really was a lil' truss rod tweaking and saddle raising/lowering.

It's one of the best playing basses i have ever owned now!!

That's one of the perks of the SX; while it's amazing for modding, it's perfectly playable as-is (minus the occasional duds).
 

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