Yet another Essex (SX) review

[stingray69]

I'm beginning to think I got a serious lemon here.
Well, I'm still going to have my repair guy work it over, and I'll take it from there.
It's been worth it just to satisfy my curiousity.

Not sure I understand the logic - a replacement is your right. Kurt/Rondo has one of the best replacement policies in the business. Heck, the replacement may even resolve a couple of the issues (paint chipping, tight tuning gears). Although I just recently received my 3rd SX bass, none of them have had the issues you are describing. The most I've done is had a fret level done to obtain the best action & playability possible. I can assure you the SX you currently have is not an accurate representation at all of SX basses. Not in my experience. I'd contact Kurt for a replacement personally.

 

[twdavis13]

I did the same thing. I bought one as a beater bass to keep the garage. I normally play USA Fenders, etc.

I bought the SX SPJ-62 Vintage White. The finish and fit is perfect! I hate that, cause it makes me question my Fenders...

Joking.. I agree with the nut being too high, and the truss rod was loose, probably on purpose for shipping.

I filed the nut slots down, tightened the truss rod about a turn and a half, lowered the pups (cause of the click you mentioned... strings hitting the poles), then installed some Labella Flats... The bass actually has a perfect setup and feels great!

I won't be modifying this bass at all. Serves the purpose of what I bought it for and more, but I can see why people decide to throw in a little cash towards upgrades on these.

As I said, it's a beater bass for me, so I'm trying to not care too much about it (but it looks sooo good... ) ... I mainly play it in the garage when hanging out there, plugged into a small Peavey Amp. Worth the $99 for sure, especially when I consider that the Labellas I have installed cost $49 new at a local shop, which really makes the price of the bass stand out as the deal of the century!

Is the Vintage White SPJ-62 have a yellow tint to it?

 

[dougjwray]

Not sure I understand the logic - a replacement is your right. Kurt/Rondo has one of the best replacement policies in the business. Heck, the replacement may even resolve a couple of the issues (paint chipping, tight tuning gears). Although I just recently received my 3rd SX bass, none of them have had the issues you are describing. The most I've done is had a fret level done to obtain the best action & playability possible. I can assure you the SX you currently have is not an accurate representation at all of SX basses. Not in my experience. I'd contact Kurt for a replacement personally.

I think my logic was that I'd have my repair guy (who's superb) set it up, and in the event that the neck was beyond help, THEN I'd contact Rondo for a replacement bass.
But thanks for your input, definitely. I'll consider doing what you recommend.

 

[Groover]

Is the Vintage White SPJ-62 have a yellow tint to it?

I had read somewhere around here that the Vintage White looked almost too yellow, however, I'm very pleased with the Vintage White that I got.

It's just the right shade IMO. I'd compare it to the Olympic White of the '08 Fender Basses. Creamy white, but not yellow.

I just got mine about 2-weeks ago. Mine looks a tad whiter than the one shown on their site.

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^

 

[becker4567]

After owning 2 SX's for about a year (short scale Jazzuar and your basic full scale Jazz), I found the quality and finish is amazing for the price, and with a quick change in strings (I'm getting hooked on LaBella 'Deep Talkin flats), and my own style of set-up, I get a real kick out of telling people how much I paid for it!

 

[lowtide]

I've had my hands on over 150 SX basses over the past 6 or so years and they do keep me busy. But when compared to Fender I have no doubts the SX is the better investment because the Fender comes with the same potential issues.

Also, take a look at the for sale section here on any given day. There are top of the line basses that people are dumping. I'm willing to bet most are there because the owner doesn't want to be bothered working out the bugs in the instrument. Every instrument I've ever seen, new or old, bargain basement or boutique, needs something.

 

[stingray69]

I think my logic was that I'd have my repair guy (who's superb) set it up, and in the event that the neck was beyond help, THEN I'd contact Rondo for a replacement bass.
But thanks for your input, definitely. I'll consider doing what you recommend.

While Kurt has a great no-questions-asked return/replacement policy, I'm not sure if it's valid if you have work performed on it. Might want to check with Kurt before your tech gets started, before you shell out any $$$ for a setup, possibly get stuck with something you were less than pleased with & a tainted perception of SX basses in general. Just sayin' - might want to check first. Would also hate to see that paint chip spread over time too.

 

[BigDaveyTwinkle]

I have a really nice Warmoth with everything top notch and I still find myself reaching for my SX to play. Best value out there.

 

[Dolflundgren]

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The wife JUST pulled the trigger on that bad boy. Sweet.

Who's house? My house!


Can't wait.

*drool*

 

[dave120]

If it has chipped paint finish, send the thing back before you have anyone else touch it. You might as well wait a couple extra days and get your moneys worth on the return policy, usually they reimburse your return shipping also. The other minor issues you have could also be resolved that way and save your labor hours from your tech. Your bass seems to have a lot more issues than most. Occasionally some come that way, most are much better, even if they still need some work. A little dirt under the finish? A lot have and isn't a big deal. Actual chips? return it.

 

[dougjwray]

If it has chipped paint finish, send the thing back before you have anyone else touch it. You might as well wait a couple extra days and get your moneys worth on the return policy, usually they reimburse your return shipping also. The other minor issues you have could also be resolved that way and save your labor hours from your tech. Your bass seems to have a lot more issues than most. Occasionally some come that way, most are much better, even if they still need some work. A little dirt under the finish? A lot have and isn't a big deal. Actual chips? return it.

Okay, that does it. I'll return it in exchange for another one. Thanks for the advice.

 

[ProfGumby]

.....
The string tree worries me because it has slots cut in it, apparently to hold the strings in place. I worry because if the metal is sharp it could lead to string breakage, conceivably.
......

Ya, well...as an SX owner 3x over, I can tell you that D'Addario half rounds have a wrap that ends exactly 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn past where the D string goes through the string tree. And the D string will breal at 1/2 turn after the string wrap butts up against the string tree......I was so smart that I broke 2 D strings before I figured this out....

So, that bass now has a Fender string tree.....

The other 2 will end up with something else as even the Fender tree needs a little caution due to where the outer wrap on the half rounds ends....

Aside from that and the semi crude cut out on the pickguards to fit the neck pocket, I love my SX basses...even with a set up and a few tweaks, the basses are still a fantastic value!

I will await your further review after a setup and time and attention from a Luthier.

 

[dougjwray]

Well, I brought it to my repair guy today, and he demonstrated to me that the frets are insanely uneven all over the neck. With work on the nut (it's cut way too high, and not seated properly), plus the complete leveling and crowning, and the placement of surgical tubing under the pickup (replacing the silly springs which allow for so much movement that when I unavoidably graze the pickup while playing, you hear "click"), that's over $300 worth of work.
On top of that, I've decided that the sound of the pickup isn't to my tastes, so I'd elect to replace that in the near future. Then there's a paint chip issue.
Hello, Rondo? Incoming!!
(It was a fun experiment, but I think a MIM Fender might be in my future...)

 

[dave120]

Sounds like you definitely got one of the extra lemon flavored variety. I don't think that's typical of most basses Rondo ships out or they wouldn't have such a following here (none of the 5 I've gotten direct from Rondo have needed so much attention). Send it back and get a replacement, it'll likely be much better. If not, it could just be these basses aren't your thing and that's fine. $300 seems a little on the high side though even for all of that work.

Some minor fretwork is typical of any production bass under $1k, a Squier or MIM Fender could also have some issues with that. If more than 3 or 4 are highly uneven that's a bad bass. So sad when some people get one of the occasional bad ones as their first one. I'd send it back and see if the replacement is better. If you still don't like it after that you can still return it. Mostly on Rondo's shipping ticket. It is a bit of a hassle. It all depends on whether you actually like how the bass feels. If you don't, send it back and don't waste your time. If you do like it, get a new one and see how it is.

 

[jumbosilverette]

When you get your MIM Fender, I'd be curious to hear what your bass tech has to say about the neck and pickups. And whether or not it would need a leveling, crown, polish, set-up.

 

[dougjwray]

When you get your MIM Fender, I'd be curious to hear what your bass tech has to say about the neck and pickups. And whether or not it would need a leveling, crown, polish, set-up.

I'll definitely post another followup.

Just for the record:
I have a $199 Univox P-Bass copy (made in the early '70s) with ZERO fret or neck issues.
I have a 2003 MIM Jazz which I bought new, with ZERO fret or neck issues.
I have an Allparts Jazz neck which I bought new a couple of years ago when I put together a bass that I currently play constantly, and it has (you guessed it) ZERO fret or neck issues.
The other day I was fooling around with a new MIM P-Bass in a store, and I could clearly feel that it had... ZERO fret or neck issues.
I've been playing for nearly 40 years, and have owned many basses and obviously tried out zillions more, and over that time, the vast majority of the sub-$1000 basses of all kinds that I've encountered haven't had the structural problems of this SX.
(I'm not saying that there aren't some SXs without problems... I'll give everyone the benefit of the doubt on that.)

As far as $300 sounding steep for the work, I'll admit that he's pricey, but the quality of his work justifies it. (And I'm in the New York City area, too.)

 

[Photoman1969]

Why the reluctance to sending it back and getting another?

 

[Justice]

Well, I brought it to my repair guy today, and he demonstrated to me that the frets are insanely uneven all over the neck. With work on the nut (it's cut way too high, and not seated properly), plus the complete leveling and crowning, and the placement of surgical tubing under the pickup (replacing the silly springs which allow for so much movement that when I unavoidably graze the pickup while playing, you hear "click"), that's over $300 worth of work.
On top of that, I've decided that the sound of the pickup isn't to my tastes, so I'd elect to replace that in the near future. Then there's a paint chip issue.
Hello, Rondo? Incoming!!
(It was a fun experiment, but I think a MIM Fender might be in my future...)

That would only be $120 here with the tech I use, and he does great work. had it done to my SX P/J and my Galveston Flag bass and it was like getting a different bass back, so much better.

My other 2 SX basses had no problems with the necks/frets

 

[Diogenes]

I'll definitely post another followup.

Just for the record:
I have a $199 Univox P-Bass copy (made in the early '70s) with ZERO fret or neck issues.
I have a 2003 MIM Jazz which I bought new, with ZERO fret or neck issues.
I have an Allparts Jazz neck which I bought new a couple of years ago when I put together a bass that I currently play constantly, and it has (you guessed it) ZERO fret or neck issues.
The other day I was fooling around with a new MIM P-Bass in a store, and I could clearly feel that it had... ZERO fret or neck issues.
I've been playing for nearly 40 years, and have owned many basses and obviously tried out zillions more, and over that time, the vast majority of the sub-$1000 basses of all kinds that I've encountered haven't had the structural problems of this SX....

Regarding the basses with ZERO fret or neck issues... did you remove the strings, untension the truss rod and measure using a straightedge and feeler gauge to ensure all frets are level? I've come across very few basses, in my admittedly fewer span of years than yours (~25), that really checked out at decent enough level of finish to satisfy me. I like my basses set up to a very low action and even +$1k basses I've encountered needed a little work to be "perfect" but were acceptable according to their owners' standards. So basically for many of us who know what to expect, the SX is the perfect instrument because it's a far cheaper and time-saving alternative to buying raw lumber to build our own "vintage-style" bass that has the potential of being a professional quality instrument with minimal, if any, cash outlay.

However if you feel your experience with an SX was too negative then that really is a shame and by all means get an MIM. What it boils down to is that you should buy which ever bass suits you best.

 

[LCW]

some people are pickier than others. In my case if i get an sx i'll set it up myself put on some of my cheap-o guitar research strings and if there is no fret buzz and its playing decent i'll be happy because its 100$. If i drop 1,500$ on the bass in my sig i want than of course for 15X the pric eof an sx i'll expect alot more out of it.Its hard to get a cheap bass than SX if you dont count those crazy rare steals. I got a used lotus bass for 75$ at the pawn shop last week. The tuner was cracked and rattled which i glued and fix , there was some fret wear , the grounding was not the best, dings and chips and a huge neck, which led to neck dive,and rusty power lines for strings, so i am selling it . 75$ for that or 120$ for an sx after shipping? The sx wont have broken parts or fret wear at least. I need to stop talking but for the money sx is hard if not impossible to beat in the new bass market.