SX Spector/Warwick Copy

[Doodaddy]

SGD?

Ah. SGD is/was a custom pickup maker.

Link Removed

There is a tremendous amount of controversy surrounding SGD for taking orders and payments with no product delivery. I was included in one of those ripped, but never joined the effort to fight. I swallowed the $50 I lost and kept living. If you'd like to read on fiasco, here's nearly 3,000 posts in a single thread. Whoa!!!

SGD pickups : David Schwab's issues with taking money and not delivering

 

[ubernator]

See my post on the pickup I saw on a new stingray classic, it would probably fit that bass, 5 string but with the ears like the 4 string.

That SGD logo all huge on the pickup does look kinda corny, but I'm sure it sounds good. If the pickup stock was anything like the old OLP MM pickups, I could see why you changed it. The OLP wasn't that bad, but the spare MEC I put in was a huge difference. I lost the dual volume (each coil) since it was a single conductor, but gained some solid punch for sure.

 

[Zvonimir]

I wonder how this would perform as a recording guitar... Better than a Squier Vintage Modified?

When I hear its sound in online videos it sounds like a high-end guitar to me. Is that an illusion or is its sound really that special?

 

[ubernator]

I wonder how this would perform as a recording guitar... Better than a Squier Vintage Modified?

When I hear its sound in online videos it sounds like a high-end guitar to me. Is that an illusion or is its sound really that special?

It would sound nothing like a squier VM, maybe more like a sire M3. Its a set neck and mahogany so it probably sounds mellower than a Warwick, but the main thing is that it is a jazzman config bass with a 3 band eq with sweepable mids, more like a high end bass, it looks like a streamer jazzman with a Spector style headstock.

Nothing classic fender style is going to sound much like it.

Better than squier if you want a Spector or Warwick/modern sound, but if you are looking for a p or j sound, the squier would be more appropriate. Now the active squiers are kind of inbetween .

 

[ubernator]

I'm pretty sure this would fit the bill. Less of a "lawsuit" model with many of the same features.

Link Removed

 

[ubernator]

Or this
Link Removed

Of course these have 2 band eq, and the sx had 3 band, but sub $200 beggars can't be choosers for this style of bass. A preamp upgrade would probably be a huge improvement.

 

[Zvonimir]

It would sound nothing like a squier VM, maybe more like a sire M3. Its a set neck and mahogany so it probably sounds mellower than a Warwick, but the main thing is that it is a jazzman config bass with a 3 band eq with sweepable mids, more like a high end bass, it looks like a streamer jazzman with a Spector style headstock.

Nothing classic fender style is going to sound much like it.

Better than squier if you want a Spector or Warwick/modern sound, but if you are looking for a p or j sound, the squier would be more appropriate. Now the active squiers are kind of inbetween .

Thanks! If I don't want to bother with batteries, would I be able to still use it in passive mode and retain its characteristic sound signature?

This sounds like a perfect complimentary guitar to have with a VM Jazz. The Precision sounds actually a bit closer to this with its fat, round sound. But the SX is still too unique and beautiful.

 

[ubernator]

Link Removed

And another

 

[ubernator]

Thanks! If I don't want to bother with batteries, would I be able to still use it in passive mode and retain its characteristic sound signature?

This sounds like a perfect complimentary guitar to have with a VM Jazz. The Precision sounds actually a bit closer to this with its fat, round sound. But the SX is still too unique and beautiful.

Not as it came, some modification would be in order. But the batteries last quite a while. And you will see benefits to having an active eq on 'fancy" type basses.

Pony up for a sire and you get the best of both worlds, switchable to passive with a passive tone control. M3 $299, mahogany body with flame maple top, maple and rosewood neck, dual humbuckers, 3 band eq.

 

[Maxdusty]

Rondo won't sell those in the US, unless Kurt wants to get sued by Spector and Warwick. Team International (the manufacturer of SX) still lists them on its web site, so I guess they are selling them somewhere. Most like overseas in Asian countries.

Probably this is the case. I have a bass that never made it to market in the US because it resembles a certain Spector bass- including the curved body. There were only a few of these made and from my understanding all sold in Japan where they were produced. I've heard this particular bass model was the company's attempt to try to coax a contract to produce Spector basses in Japan way back in the late 80s. More famous for their Jupiter model or Unicorn, Riverhead produced this bass that had no model name or number other than "Spector". Really high quality bass- Riverhead as a brand is no more unfortunately, but the parent company now brands their basses as Bacchus.

 

[ubernator]

Probably this is the case. I have a bass that never made it to market in the US because it resembles a certain Spector bass- including the curved body. There were only a few of these made and from my understanding all sold in Japan where they were produced. I've heard this particular bass model was the company's attempt to try to coax a contract to produce Spector basses in Japan way back in the late 80s. More famous for their Jupiter model or Unicorn, Riverhead produced this bass that had no model name or number other than "Spector". Really high quality bass- Riverhead as a brand is no more unfortunately, but the parent company now brands their basses as Bacchus.
View attachment 913948

That probably cost a bit more than that sx

 

[Maxdusty]

That probably cost a bit more than that sx

I bought it used for $80. It was brought here to this country by someone who lived in Japan. Sold by a relative of the original owner.
I do see used Riverhead Jupiters pop up every now and then here- the body shape is a little different -more of a Spector/Warwick hybrid, enough to not get sued by either company. Terrific sounding basses and usually go for around $300-500? Definitely worth keeping an eye out for.


[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[ubernator]

I bought it used for $80. It was brought here to this country by someone who lived in Japan. Sold by a relative of the original owner.
I do see used Riverhead Jupiters pop up every now and then here- the body shape is a little different -more of a Spector/Warwick hybrid, enough to not get sued by either company. Terrific sounding basses and usually go for around $300-500? Definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
View attachment 913958 View attachment 913959

[This invalid link has been removed]

You stole it, if it is a neck through, then you murdered your victim in the process. $80?

 

[Maxdusty]

You stole it, if it is a neck through, then you murdered your victim in the process. $80?

lol...not a neck through unfortunately. - to be honest, I didn't know about Riverhead and their quality and reputation as a boutique bass manufacturer when I bought the bass. I knew it was MIJ which for $80 sounded like a good deal. When I tried it, I knew it was a heck of a deal.

 

[ERIC31]

Or this
Link Removed

Of course these have 2 band eq, and the sx had 3 band, but sub $200 beggars can't be choosers for this style of bass. A preamp upgrade would probably be a huge improvement.

They are currently going for $159. That's a steal right there!

 

[Zvonimir]

All right, so I picked up a used SX SWB 4-string bass from a dude for $120.

Played all kinds of basses before. This one is really special. Does anyone else think these sound like high-end basses too?

 

[Slapndbayass]

This is a special guitar. Don't make the mistake of using cost or price as an indicator of value. Anyone with experience of guitars would know that the design was well thought out. It's amazing they were impelled to produce such a model albeit an amalgamation. If these are not being produced/available anymore, they should be a sought-after rarity.

The preamp on this guitar adds a hint of electronic support without taking over. The less is more effect.

It remains to be seen if the guitar does not fall apart after a while though. There are two versions on the control section. One with dual concentric knobs in a 5/6 knob configuration and the 4 knob with volume, pan, eq and boost/cut.

according to Sam at SX they dropped the 5/6 knob circuit and went with another preamp circuit in the 4-knob as it sounded better to their, SX's, ears.

The lighter weight is a welcomed addition when you consider that boutique woods tend to be heavy.

The sound of these at least the one I have is remarkable for being an under $300 guitar, yet the website lists it at $649.99. If these are being sold, it's outside of conus and like Cuban cigars you have to know a guy to get one.

Here's mine with DR Lo Riders 130's.

Recording with these is surprisingly good enough and it doesn't take much to get the track to cut through the mix.

The neck on this is amazing.

While others are building furniture, SX is building guitars!

 

[Santol]

I actually sold mine off for over $500. It's a really great instrument, but it's got modern sound and it's an acquired taste, so to speak. I imagine people wouldn't be able to tell it apart from a Warwick in a blind test. It's just I'm used to the Fender sound, either P or J. Plus, I normally play flats and I wasn't sure this bass could do well with flats.

One thing I have to say about this bass is that it's playability is superb and unmatched by anything Fender. It's light as a feather and very comfortable to play, while my 70's J bass is so heavy, my leg gets numb after an hour of playing.

 

[Slapndbayass]

I've recently upgraded the jack on the SX with a more secure fit for a standard 1/4" plug. The original jack with a Switchcraft plug was not tight. Those mm's don't really make for a snug fit on a standard sized U.S. plug.

Switchcraft makes the 152. A stereo jack made out of brass.

 

[FatherTrucker]

Resurrecting an old thread to say that Guitar Fetish has a bunch of these bodies for sale in their warehouse buyout clearance section. Was trying to figure out what the brand was as it looked like they completely copied the high end Spector body. I chose one that looked less beat up than the rest and took a chance so wish me luck. Will be putting cheap hardware on to string it up before I spend the money on electronics.