SX or Jay Turser?

[Fine Cut]

I'll be selling one of my mil-surp rifles in a few days, and I've decided to treat myself to a nice sunburst P, a little Christmas present to myself I don't want to put much more than $100 into it...$150 max minus strings and whatnot. Thisll most likely serve as a backup/mess around bass behind my OLP.

$109 is the better price for the SX, but I'm having trouble stomaching the though of that headstock :/ the JT I can get on the 'bay for $120 or so, but I haven't heard nearly as much about their quality or sound. I once played a Jay Turser jazz at a local Pawn, and it was very solid.

Anyone here played or own both? Whatcha think?

 

[Jim Dep]

For a P bass, I love my SX and that's coming off years of owning and gigging with Fenders. Based on the Tursers I've tried at music stores or pawn shops, I'd take the SX.

 

[Billy3000]

I've had students with the Jay Tursers, and I've played tons of them in shops. They look, feel and sound cheap. At least with SX a lot of people are impressed with their quality. I say go with SX

 

[Slackerprince]

Don't forget Squier in that price range (used).
Also a lot of used Peavey's and such on craigslist.

S.

 

[samtay6]

SX basses have solid alder bodies.

Jay Tursers have "hardwood" bodies.

If traditional tonewoods appeal to you, then SX is the way to go. Otherwise, I think they are fairly comparable.

I think the only appeal would be that Jay Turser's can be readily tried out at music shops while SX's can't really be played before purchase.

 

[nukes_da_bass]

Players don't see headstocks. Collectors see headstocks. SX is non collectible, and actually so are JayTurser's.
My SX 5 string Jazz is ash and maple and feels and sounds great- for $177.00 shipped, all I did was swap out the Chinese strings for some Pyramid Gold Flats and adjust the pickup height a little. Needed a trussrod tweak too. 10 minutes labor. When I play it I can't see the headstock.

 

[Fine Cut]

...When I play it I can't see the headstock.

very good point.

the reason i'm looking beyond Squier is mainly due to the fact that i've owned a couple in the past and i'd like to try something new. that, and with all the SX buzz i've been hearing for the past couple years, i figure it's high-time i take a test drive

on a side note: the used market for bass guitar gear around here *sucks*. period. amps, pedals, basses, anything. it's horrid.

 

[Muddslide]

I've been playing for decades and have owned all kinds of nice, expensive and vintage basses.

I'm not saying my SX puts them all to shame by any means, but I can say that it is a very solid, well-built player and I'm still surprised at the value and the quality-for-cost ratio on it.

I also have an SX Tele copy and have played several other SX instruments.

IMO, SX are typically better quality, and more consistently better, than Turser stuff.

That said, I have played a lot more Turser instruments, so that kind of skews things. And I've played some really nice Turser stuff, but also some real lemons.

Another point in SX's favor (RondoMusic) is that you can really deal with one person and if you have a problem with your bass, Kurt's return policy is excellent. He knows how to do business.

 

[JZQuantum]

Please, please, please do yourself a favor and look into a Peavey Fury bass. I picked up a mint condition American made Fury from the mid 1990s for $150. Plays like heaven with that thin neck and sounds and records wonderfully with flats. GHS on mine. Google it now and thank me later!

 

[ack]

Please, please, please do yourself a favor and look into a Peavey Fury bass. I picked up a mint condition American made Fury from the mid 1990s for $150. Plays like heaven with that thin neck and sounds and records wonderfully with flats. GHS on mine. Google it now and thank me later!

Great advice. I got my '90 USA Fury for $130 shipped (in excellent condition) - a true diamond in the rough.

 

[xaxxat]

Please, please, please do yourself a favor and look into a Peavey Fury bass. I picked up a mint condition American made Fury from the mid 1990s for $150. Plays like heaven with that thin neck and sounds and records wonderfully with flats. GHS on mine. Google it now and thank me later!

+1

 

[rtslinger]

Between the two you are looking at go with the SX. I have played both and the SX has a great feel. The JT I had borrowed from a friend was a Hofner copy and I just did not like the neck. I have a P style SX I bought off craigslist that had everything stock and it sounds just as good as my Fender P and feels as good as well. I do not care for the new headstock but, that really doesn't matter so much when you are playing it as was mentioned earlier.

 

[zachoff]

Used Squier.

 

[Robotsatemygma]

Between Turser and SX, hands down get the SX. You will not find a better quality instrument for the money. Yea the new headstocks suck, but you could always troll the classifieds here, or even ebay for one with the old headstock.

I've played random Jay Tursers at pawn shops and local music stores and none of them have come close to the playability or quality of SX or even the newer Squiers.

 

[DeanT]

I've owned SX and Jay Turser basses.

Every JT bass I've owned had a neck that was just a bit too fat for my taste. Also, they feel and play like inexpensive basses. They are perfectly serviceable, but given the choice, I'd go with SX every time.