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What Happened to all the SX Love?

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#25
Want a Rondo 5-string? Choose a fender shaped Jazz, or a non Fender shaped Soap Bar or J/MM. no other option.

I contacted Kurt several times regarding 5-string P's, 5-string Jag style etc. over the years it's been 'no interest'.

So... no interest at this point from me. I've owned 4 or 5 of their 4-strings and they were great for my modding interest, but not with the mangled headstock that doesn't allow much adapting room.
 
#26
Many complain about the headstock, but from the ones who have purchased the new URSA models (myself included) the general consensus is that SX has stepped up the quality on these models. The fretwork in particular on the one I bought is fantastic, much better than any previous one I've bought. The overall fit and finish seems to be a bit better as well. The Jazz bridge pickup route is more precise, things like that which SX usually gets criticized for are less prevalent in the newer models. If you can get over the headstock, SX basses are a better deal than ever for what you are getting.
 
#27
I have a Squier CV Jazz that's becoming a "frankenbass". I replaced the pickups with D'Marzio Ultra Jazz and I have a Warmoth P neck on order becuase my huge gorilla hands hate the skinny jazz neck.

When I'm done, it won't really be a Squier anymore. It will be a really expensive bass that isn't worth anything. LOL! :)
 
#30
I've been checking the Rondo website on and off for a while, and it seems the number of choices plummeted at the beginning of the year. I just remember that last year there were a couple of pages of choices, and now there's barely one (when you take the 'packages' out).

I may still spring for an alder sunburst P, and an ash sunburst P soon. The headstock doesn't worry me at all. Although there's a thread in here somewhere where someone did a Telecaster style from the Ursa 'paddle.' I may have a go at that (because a Tele headstock on a contoured P looks so cool to me).
 
#35
It's the headstock...

I used to love SX stuff for the price. Now I won't touch one with a 20ft pole...
I even emailed them asking WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?

They said they had to... Heck, they could do something better and still a lot different from Fender... Don't think Lakland would care if SX had a headstock that's close to theirs... It was, actually...

Don't really think Fender would touch them if they kept this:

baixo+shelter+sx+custom+handmade+vintage+series+sao+paulo+sp+brasil__2C295C_2.jpg


But what do I know?
 
#36
the headstock certainly, and the big drying-up of both their stock and their new models. it's like basses fell off the map for them, while their guitars keep gettin' the love... i have 3 rondos and i dig 'em all, but that's probably it for the foreseeable future. as everybody says, squier is back on the radar big time.
 
#38
rockstarbassist said:
Upgrading and modding a turd just leaves you with an upgraded and modded turd... :o Now they're a bad party joke.

Also it was cool for a few weeks here like everything else that the e-peeners follow. Nevar underestimate the power of the e-peen. :bassist:
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you are the e-peener here. Just one more of the 4-string-only-I play-"real"-Fender e-peeners. I'll bet you've never even seen an SX bass let alone touched one. :spit:

I have to agree that the URSA headstock did much to quell SX enthusiasm. Yes, I modded mine with "dixiecup" cut but who wants to get a new bass and start sawing on the headstock? Plus Rondo hasn't shown much interest in providing a wider range of GAS items. For example the SX 6-string Jazz basses sold out like instantly. Kurt didn't seem to get the message (or SX didn't...not sure which is the blockage). I'd buy a fretless version right now. Was much interest here in SX Stingray clones. I would be interested in getting one. (as backup to my OLP) Yes, legal problems, but Jay Turser manages. And as pointed out, 5 string choices are extremely sparse. I don't play 4 strings without a gun to my head. A 5 string SX P-bass would be an INSTANT purchase from me (and probably many others). How else could I give one a try without spending a fortune now that Fender has discontinued the cheap line? Kurt and SX still not getting the message. I guess the economy isn't down far enough yet to get people motivated.

And I'd note that while the number of pages of guitars at Rondo seems to ever expand, bass players are obviously considered to be a secondary market.
 
#39
pica said:
I was just on Rondo's website and I don't think those SX basses are anything that special. They look like a bunch of Squier knockoffs to me. I'd rather spend a little more money and have a Squier, which I do.
Click to expand...

They aren't that special but for a little over a hundred bucks you'd have a great platform for modding it. The body is better quality than the Squiers, the necks are about on par and the hardware and electronics on both are usually the most suspect parts and would be first to be replaced. So you essentially have the same bass, just cheaper.

But now that the SX headstocks are the ugliest in the biz...
 
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