SX; Vintage or Standard?

[splicer404]

Hey guys,

I happened to visit the local music store this morning here at my city and came across an SX bass which had a "Standard series" sign on the headstock. Fellow Sx players: What's the difference between the Vintage and the Standard series? Which one should I get? Both are at the same price (approx. 180 bucks).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Miskatonic]

Not sure of the differences myself, so I'll let others more qualified to chime in on that. However, I would be purchasing neither for $180. I purchased one a year back or so, with shipping from coast to coast, it cost me about $140.

 

[splicer404]

Not sure of the differences myself, so I'll let others more qualified to chime in on that. However, I would be purchasing neither for $180. I purchased one a year back or so, with shipping from coast to coast, it cost me about $140.

It's pretty much the cheapest SX bass here though. :/

 

[number11]

The vintage ones are better qualoity, with glossy laquered necks.

 

[phillybass101]

I have one that says Traditional series that's older than both of them. it even has a serial number engraved into the neck plate. I'm keeping it forever.

 

[bassbenj]

Hey guys,

I happened to visit the local music store this morning here at my city and came across an SX bass which had a "Standard series" sign on the headstock. Fellow Sx players: What's the difference between the Vintage and the Standard series? Which one should I get? Both are at the same price (approx. 180 bucks).

Thanks in advance!

Don;t know all the differences, but the "vintage" series usually has all the natural wood (neck, headstock and body if natural) tinted sort of a orange-yellow (stain called colonial maple) which imitates the yellowing of maple wood over long periods of time. The Standard series usually has a simple clear finish that makes the maple neck look whiter.

I think there are some differences in pickup spacing too, but others will have to tell you about that.

In the early days of SX basses the aging stain was too orange in color and people here used to refer to it as "nuclear orange" because it was so bright. The last "vintage" SX basses I saw were much toned down and pretty much matched a can of "colonial maple" stain I had which also matched a set of drum shells I built a drum kit out of that actually WERE maple that had been sitting on a shelf for years and yellowed for real. So my verdict is that "nuclear orange" days seem to be over.

 

[GregBass1979]

I have one that says Traditional series that's older than both of them. it even has a serial number engraved into the neck plate. I'm keeping it forever.

Hey Philly, you still have that SX bass? Do you know when you bought it? I found a fretless jazz with the same serial number on the neck plate recently..curious how old it might be.

 

[PNC7]

Vintage might have a smaller fretboard radius which might make it feel more like a baseball bat, if it's anything like when Fender reissues vintage stuff. Could just be color / style. I'd go with whichever feels and sounds better.

SX basses have historically been solid for the price... with inflation I don't know that $180 is that bad.