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Upgrading SX

#21
I am also considering buying an SX, but mine will be fretless...

...I'm wanting to change the bridge out, b/c I do not like the lok of the stock bridge. I'm thinking of an ABM "BB4S4" (http://guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/product/BB4S4) So, I am asking all of you who HAVE modded SXs is this bridge a direct replacement, will it bolt directly on???

What other mods should I cosider??? I am planning on getting some copper shielding, and am now interested in changing out the pots now that Ive seen someone mention it. Is there something else I should consider? If it helps, I am definately a fan of the Warwick growl since a fretless Corvette is what got me hooked on fretless in the first place.

To aid in achieving getting that 'Wick tone, I may consider getting a Wenge/Wenge neck from Warmoth, seeing as that is a HUGE part in the tone... Any other suggestions????


Thanks for any feedback,
~Ryan
 
#22
I bought a fretless P style SX about two months ago and the only thing I've changed are the strings.....put a set of Chromes on it. I've been thinking about changing the pickups out, but for right now I have no complaints with them.

The only complaint I have is that there are 2 or 3 spots on the fretboard that seem to be uneven and occasionally buzz when playing on them. But it's not that big of a deal IMO, I'm only using the bass to play around with at the house so I'm not gigging it or anything.

btw, i haven't even shielded mine either....i really don't see the need to do it on my particular bass, it seems like it's perfectly fine.
 
#23
jondog said:
You don't even own it yet. Buy the bass first, and then decide what you think needs to be replaced. In my opinion, the only thing that really needs to be done to an SX is setup and shielding, and not even every bass/model needs that. Every other mod is usually just for personal preference. The preamp I added to my SX 3/4 P is a good example, the bass sounded fine stock, but most of my other basses are active and I prefer the tone so I bought a cheap Jackson pre on ebay and now I'm even happier.
Click to expand...


+1 jondog, my SX jazz sounded fine as is but I was after a more modern tone, hence the EMG's. I had recently sold a Fender Highway jazz and the SX sounded remarkably similar to that bass.
 
#24
in response to jondog

I did post 2 times already the type of sound I was looking for and while no one has directly answered "this is how you can get that sound" they have been able to tell me what has worked for them abd that does help me a little bit. Why would I buy something and not know if I can make it sound the way I would like? I would appreciate it if from here on that if you don't have any advice regarding the questions that I have asked then please do not post. Unless of course it's to ask a question for more in depth info on what I'm looking for in a bass. Oh and keithpas thanks for the post about your emg's and everyone else that has offered real advice so far it is very appreciated.
 
#25
Sorry, I wasn't trying to argue or tell you to shut up or anything. I think the problem is that none of us know what bass was used to make the Variax sample you want to match. Call Variax and ask them the details. In the meantime, the SX is cheap and everyone agrees that it is a good platform for mods so I think the concern about not being able to make it sound the way you would like is unfounded. If Variax won't tell you it may take some time and experimentation, but it's still a J bass and will always sound like a J bass as you tweak and change different parts.
 
#26
there is a sound clip on the website and it also says if memory serves me correctly that it was modeled after the 2004 fender deluxe jazz bass. Um that's about all the info on that I could find. I've been look all over the net and I found some sound clips of a select few makes. The ones I've found so far that has kept my interest has been the Sadowsky singles although I'm not sure if they make them for a 5 string because I haven't checked just yet. The other one that seems to grab me as a candidate is the Nordstrand NJ5's which I think I like the best from the sound clips. Still not quite the sound from the variax emulated Deluxe jazz but then again those Sadowsky and Nordstrand clips were finger style while the variax sounds picked. A quick question about preamps. I'm looking at them as a possibility if after I install new pickups I decide I want the active control. Can the Aguilar OBP-3 be shut off and used in a passive mode or is it always on? Same question with the Bart pres. I guess I should also ask if the pickups I stated above can be used and switched from passive and active. I must also say sorry jondog I just get frustrated when it appears that people are trying to work against what I am set in my head to do. My apologies
 
#27
Fullbleed,

I'm sorry, I haven't read every word of every response, so I might be speaking from ignorance in some of what I say here.

You're trying to figure out how to make an SX sound like a Fender Deluxe Active Jazz, right?

Have you already bought the SX? If so, then you're going to need a string-through bridge, noiseless pickups, and a 3-band active preamp. The bridge will be a problem unless you have someone do it for you or you're comfortable drilling holes for the string ferrules, etc. For noiseless pickups I'd go with Dimarzio UltraJazz pickups ($100 at bestbassgear.com), although I'm not sure if they come in 5-string. If you want to go whole hog for a preamp you could get a J-Retro. They're $300, but give you volume, balance, bass, treble with boost, mid with mid frequency control, and a passive/active switch, and should drop in to the existing control cavity without any modification. This might get you to the sound you want.

If you haven't already purchased the SX and want the Active Jazz sound, I would suggest getting a Fender Deluxe Active Jazz. You can get them (4-string) at Music123.com for $590 - here's the link: Link Removed. This bass is made in Mexico. If you're sold on the 5-string idea it looks like you'll have to American made it it'll run you around $1300.

I only suggest buying the for real Fender Deluxe Active Jazz because that's the sound you're looking for. If you buy the SX and then put $400 in mods into it trying to sound like a FDAJ you might as well take the same money and buy the real thing.
 
#28
thanks teechomatt. Yeah when I had first heard that sound and decided that was what I wanted I went straight to the source (the fender deluxe) but I don't want to spend that kind of money just yet. I would like the 5 string only because I tune down to C on my 4 string and it gets floppy on me. If I get a 5 and tune it up a half step then I know I'll have the tension that I want to achieve. I saw a post somewhere around here saying that there was no tonal differance between the string through and normal bridges. Did you have a differance of opinion on this? Regardless I have some carpentry skills and it seems pretty simple so I'm sure I could handle that. Doesn't MEC make a 3 band... can you buy them out right or do you have to wait for a warwick player to "upgrade"... I like my thumb's mec electronics. I'll be cheking into those Ultra Jazz pups. I think that's the second time those have been brought up.
 
#29
full_bleed said:
thanks teechomatt. Yeah when I had first heard that sound and decided that was what I wanted I went straight to the source (the fender deluxe) but I don't want to spend that kind of money just yet. I would like the 5 string only because I tune down to C on my 4 string and it gets floppy on me. If I get a 5 and tune it up a half step then I know I'll have the tension that I want to achieve. I saw a post somewhere around here saying that there was no tonal differance between the string through and normal bridges. Did you have a differance of opinion on this? Regardless I have some carpentry skills and it seems pretty simple so I'm sure I could handle that. Doesn't MEC make a 3 band... can you buy them out right or do you have to wait for a warwick player to "upgrade"... I like my thumb's mec electronics. I'll be cheking into those Ultra Jazz pups. I think that's the second time those have been brought up.
Click to expand...

No problem! I understand the frustration that comes when you ask a question and someone either tells you to do a search or start off on some rabbit trail that has nothing to do with your question.

There is a subtle tonal difference between a standard and string-through bridge - some would say that the string-through gives a more modern tone. Most of the difference comes through in sustain since a with a string-through bridge more vibration is transfered to the body. If you want to go string-through you might choose this bridge: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

As far as pickups, you're likely to get a more Warwicky tone if you go with Warwick electronics - I know a lot of the Warwick tone is due to the woods they choose, but electronics plays a part too. Definitely check out the UltraJazzes. Here's the link to the 5-string version: UltraJazz 5-string. I've had the 4-string on a bass before and they sound great and are completely noiseless. They're also a direct replacement in every way since they aren't a stack. Some humcancelling pickups are humcancelling because they have two sets of coils on to of each other, which works buth makes them tall. The UltraJazzes have two half-coils side-by-side, so they cancel hum and are a normal size. Plus, with the two coils you can wire for a series/parallel option. I'll be installing them on my current Jazz in a few months.

You've got lot's of options for preamps out there, and many of them are very good. Bartolini preamps are great because they don't color the sound hardly at all. They're also reasonably priced. Here's yet another link: Bartolini Preamps. I don't know about MEC. The reason I suggested the J-Retro is that I have one in my current bass. One more link: J-Retro . A Jazz Bass sounds great passive, but man does this thing sound great when I kick in the preamp! The J-Retro colors a bit, but in such a nice way! I get all the tone contro I want and I can switch back to passive by flicking a switch. There's another switch that either sets the pickups to the bridge pup or both. The only thing I wish I had with the J-Retro is a three way pickup switch so that when it's in passive mode I could go bridge, both, or neck.

I don't know if any of this is going to give your SX a similar sound to that Variax Bass soundclip. So much depends on body wood, string choice, how it was picked, how it was recorded, etc.

Anyway, glad I could help! Good luck!
 
#30
That J-Retro does look nice but I'm not to sure about that price tag. It looks like it's got some real nice features on it. Is there a place that sells them cheaper?

Deathbloomslife was asking this if anyone would be able to help him out with it. I left you an email also Deathblooms.

I'm wanting to change the bridge out, b/c I do not like the lok of the stock bridge. I'm thinking of an ABM "BB4S4" (http://guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/product/BB4S4) So, I am asking all of you who HAVE modded SXs is this bridge a direct replacement, will it bolt directly on???
Click to expand...
 
#31
I bought 2 SX Jazz 5ers [one fretted and one fretless] and i waited until they arrived to decide on the tuners. I placed the order that day. I ordered the adjustable tension ones from Stew Mac. IIRC it was about $100 for 2 sets of Bass side tuners [4 inline] and 1 set of 2+2 [so that i could get the additional one for the 4+1 head stock].

The rest of the mods-i'm reading to see what other people think too.

That's all
 
#35
Well seeing as you're getting the fiver, it will never sound like a four string. Just the way pickups are, and you may have a rough time finding drop in replacements that don't require any routing or major woodwork on the bass. Just get some good measurements and check.

Getting one bass to sound like another is very difficult, and let me warn you ahead of time, all the money that you're going to drop into the SX will cost you a pretty penny. Say $130 for the bass/shipping, about $100 or more for the pickups, $30 for the pots, wiring, etc., $50 for a bridge, and $75 for tuners, you're running just shy of $400 for something you're not quite sure will work.

Most of us mod basses somewhat as an experiment, to constantly try to make it better, not to clone another instrument. Likewise, I wish you luck with your venture, but let me remind you, here at Talkbass, respect and politeness is the foremost rule, please abide by it, be patient, and be friendly.

Welcome.
 
#36
You are aware that the SX Jazz 5 string is actually a "4+1", right? It's essentially a 4 string neck with 5 strings on it. The width of at the nut is 1 5/8" and at the 20th fret it's 2 5/8". I think you may have problems finding a 5 string bridge with tight enough string spacing to work with the neck. Also, any standard 5 string pickups with exposed pole pieces may not line up with the strings correctly.

I'm not speaking from direct experience, so flame away if you must.
 
#37
mmmmmm? Where were you at when I started this thread sb69coupe? Well let's see. Have any of you TBer's experienced any problems with bridge or pickup alignments. Also what about neck replacements? What are the normal measurements for a fender fiver neck at the pocket and if I cleanly cut the body could there be any horrible side effects?
 
#38
full_bleed said:
mmmmmm? Where were you at when I started this thread sb69coupe? Well let's see. Have any of you TBer's experienced any problems with bridge or pickup alignments. Also what about neck replacements? What are the normal measurements for a fender fiver neck at the pocket and if I cleanly cut the body could there be any horrible side effects?
Click to expand...
As long as you get pickups with blade magnets, there shouldn't be a problem. SX have non-standard neck pockets so replacement wont be easy, and unless you cut the neck pocket EXACTLY, you may have some serious problems on your hand.
 

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