Yet another Essex (SX) review

[dabbler]

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...)

Sorry you got a lemon. I am curious, how did your tech "demonstrate" the insane fret unevenness?

Emjoy your MIM, since it sounds like you have decided not to exchange the SX. But also think about this, you have gotten a lesson on how expensive labor is in setting up a bass. I honestly expected to learn how to do setups (to include fret levels) on my SXes. Oddly enough I had bought 6 or so before it became necessary, and even then it was only really one section of the neck that was giving me issues.

So for the $100 or so that I paid for the bass, and the $40 or so that I paid for materials, I learned how to adjust truss rod, pickups, mod electronics and level frets. Thanks of course, in a big way, to the tutorials etc I got from here and other places I was able to learn the mechanics on an instrument that wouldn't have broken my pocketbook if I goofed on it, and STILL probably spent less than if I had taken a course. That was a good investment in my bassucation. AND, well, from my sig you can see, I still consider them to be good values. But ONLY if you do your own work!

 

[Dolflundgren]

For the record, SX basses are for lovers.

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

This one is calling me

Link Removed

 

[Theabyssbass]

I just got mine last Friday, No problems with it. I have two and plan on getting more. as long as they don't change the headstocks!

 

[texasgreg]

I think sometimes it varys between the bass you buy of rondomusic.com and just getting lucky because the one i got was amazing in everyway

Me too.

 

[Zureta]

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.

^^^ Agree 100%.

The newest generation of Chinese instruments (like SX and the Squier Classic Vibe series) are astoundingly good bang-for-buck values, having generally decent quality at a price point unheard of anywhere just a few years ago. For a beginner like me, they're unquestionably the smartest choice for a first or second instrument.

But if you have the means to get better gear and the experience to make the most out of them, it doesn't really matter if the price you paid was in the "diminishing returns" area, does it? If you want the best and can pay for the luxury, then the SXs may not be the best value for you.

Thinking otherwise would be like looking down on Mercedes owners because a Hyundai is "nearly" as nice for much less dough. The SXs, top end Squiers, Corts, and other Chinese/Korean/whatever asian are just like Hyundais — previously famous for being low quality cheap copies of better American/European/Japanese models, but surprising everyone with better and better quality in the last few years, while still being affordable.

But a Hyundai is no Mercedes, and will never be. So if the SX is not for you, that's nothing to be ashamed about!

Oh, I'd like to add a little social comment to add context to my opinion:

Here in Brazil we have absurd import tax laws which makes every new bass (or anything not made in brazil, really) seriously two to three times more expensive than in the U.S.

And since we also earn less money (the minimum wage is something like US$240 a month), any new bass is a luxury. For many beginner/enthuasiast musicians here, a new, made in wherever Fender is like the holy grail of pro gear, and if you can afford one you're considered either decadently wealthy or a pro that made it big.

No wonder the SX '75 Jazz Bass is probably the best selling bass in the country. It's good and not too expensive, letting people like me try to learn bass without breaking the bank.

I own and love this exact SX model, and a great looking, great-sounding, PRS-style Cort guitar, and I have an Epiphone EB-0 bass and a Squier Classic Vibe telecaster on the way. In truth, those second-line brands are all I can afford, but I'm also genuinely proud of choosing and using the cheapo brands. I think they're improving in quality by leaps and bounds, they serve a noble goal, and would probably never gotten into bass if the top-shelf stuff was all there is. It's a great time to be a beginner in music!

Just my two cents. Sorry for being long-winded. I'm new to posting after much lurking and think I'm saying everything I didn't say in the last few months! I'll settle down, promise.

 

[lowtide]

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.

Link Removed

^

If I'm not mistaken, the word got back to Kurt about the yellow vintage white and the new batches of basses have started to roll in with a more "off" white, albeit it has a bluish tint to it now. The following SJB-62 shows the new vintage white . . .
Invalid Link Removed

 

[dougjwray]

^^^ Agree 100%.

The newest generation of Chinese instruments (like SX and the Squier Classic Vibe series) are astoundingly good bang-for-buck values, having generally decent quality at a price point unheard of anywhere just a few years ago. For a beginner like me, they're unquestionably the smartest choice for a first or second instrument.

But if you have the means to get better gear and the experience to make the most out of them, it doesn't really matter if the price you paid was in the "diminishing returns" area, does it? If you want the best and can pay for the luxury, then the SXs may not be the best value for you.

Thinking otherwise would be like looking down on Mercedes owners because a Hyundai is "nearly" as nice for much less dough. The SXs, top end Squiers, Corts, and other Chinese/Korean/whatever asian are just like Hyundais — previously famous for being low quality cheap copies of better American/European/Japanese models, but surprising everyone with better and better quality in the last few years, while still being affordable.

But a Hyundai is no Mercedes, and will never be. So if the SX is not for you, that's nothing to be ashamed about!

Oh, I'd like to add a little social comment to add context to my opinion:

Here in Brazil we have absurd import tax laws which makes every new bass (or anything not made in brazil, really) seriously two to three times more expensive than in the U.S.

And since we also earn less money (the minimum wage is something like US$240 a month), any new bass is a luxury. For many beginner/enthuasiast musicians here, a new, made in wherever Fender is like the holy grail of pro gear, and if you can afford one you're considered either decadently wealthy or a pro that made it big.

No wonder the SX '75 Jazz Bass is probably the best selling bass in the country. It's good and not too expensive, letting people like me try to learn bass without breaking the bank.

I own and love this exact SX model, and a great looking, great-sounding, PRS-style Cort guitar, and I have an Epiphone EB-0 bass and a Squier Classic Vibe telecaster on the way. In truth, those second-line brands are all I can afford, but I'm also genuinely proud of choosing and using the cheapo brands. I think they're improving in quality by leaps and bounds, they serve a noble goal, and would probably never gotten into bass if the top-shelf stuff was all there is. It's a great time to be a beginner in music!

Just my two cents. Sorry for being long-winded. I'm new to posting after much lurking and think I'm saying everything I didn't say in the last few months! I'll settle down, promise.

Excellent analysis.
I have to take the analogy a bit further, though: The SX I got was like a Hyundai with a couple of wheels missing and a broken windshield. I'm fine with less-than-Mercedes quality instruments, as long as they're functional. So maybe SX is a notch below Hyundai, in consistency.
The latest chapter of my saga: I contacted Kurt, and the legendary Rondo customer service is no lie. He offered to take a look at the bass, address the problems, and send me a replacement should the problems be beyond repair. Then, if I still don't like the replacement, I can send that one back for a refund. And, they refund your shipping costs. Really excellent to deal with. The first bass is traveling back to New Hampshire at the moment. I'm willing to believe that it's a rare lemon, and that I'll end up a happy SX user.
More later...

 

[electracoyote]

I own several SX products. I have had to send a fretless P bass back, the neck was bad. Kurt promptly sent me another. Beautiful, perfect, mwaaaaahhhhhhh! One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch...

 

[Dolflundgren]

If I'm not mistaken, the word got back to Kurt about the yellow vintage white and the new batches of basses have started to roll in with a more "off" white, albeit it has a bluish tint to it now. The following SJB-62 shows the new vintage white . . .
Invalid Link Removed

OOOH!!!

That's nice.

I may have found a reason not to get a second EXACTLY SAME bass

Excellent analysis.
I have to take the analogy a bit further, though: The SX I got was like a Hyundai with a couple of wheels missing and a broken windshield. I'm fine with less-than-Mercedes quality instruments, as long as they're functional. So maybe SX is a notch below Hyundai, in consistency.
The latest chapter of my saga: I contacted Kurt, and the legendary Rondo customer service is no lie. He offered to take a look at the bass, address the problems, and send me a replacement should the problems be beyond repair. Then, if I still don't like the replacement, I can send that one back for a refund. And, they refund your shipping costs. Really excellent to deal with. The first bass is traveling back to New Hampshire at the moment. I'm willing to believe that it's a rare lemon, and that I'll end up a happy SX user.
More later...

See? I knew you'd be fine. I also love that Rondo reimburses you for shipping, it's such a class move. When you get your MINTY fresh new SX, let us know!

After spending more time with mine, man she plays like a champ. I find the fit and finish on the body to be PERFECT. My only gripes are with the neck finish and how bad the "block inlay" looks up close, but what can you expect on a $150 instrument? I'd love to be able to go to NH and just pick through his stock to find the real jems and just start buying.

EDIT:

You don't know if they make this EXACT model in long scale, do you? Link Removed

This one: Link Removed is "close enough" but I like the sort of blu-ish hue that the short scale one has.

 

[Zureta]

Excellent analysis.
I have to take the analogy a bit further, though: The SX I got was like a Hyundai with a couple of wheels missing and a broken windshield. I'm fine with less-than-Mercedes quality instruments, as long as they're functional. So maybe SX is a notch below Hyundai, in consistency.

Well, that's just not acceptable in a new instrument! Or car. :scowl:

I guess quality control is still SX's main weakness. That would explain why so many people are totally in love with the ones they got, but every now and then someone gets a really shoddy one and hates the brand forever. Not that the exact same thing doesn't happen sometimes with top brands like Fender, Gibson and Gretsch.

Though I've never heard of anyone getting a really defective, say, Squier Classic Vibe, so maybe SX still a ways to go to be in the same league as the new Squiers and Corts.

And just to stretch my already strained car analogy even further...

Those are both Made in Korea Hyundais. If I had ordered one of them and surprisingly received the other, I would either be very happy or very pissed off. It all depends on expectations! I guess, for better or worse, SX is a bit like that right now.

I'm just glad my SX is more like the new Genesis, but understand the pain and anger of those who believed the hype and then got the 1989 Excel.

They just need to stop sending out the lemons to become a reputable brand. Because when they're good, they're awesome for the price.

 

[Justice]

one thing you need to remember about buying an SX from Rondo, is that they do not look at the bass before they send it to you (in the instance of buying a NEW bass) They have them in a warehouse and pull and ship the orders from there. So the basses come to you exactly as they left the factory.

It would not be cost effective for Kurt to open and inspect each SX before sending it in his current business model. But he more than makes up for that part with his excellent customer service and exchange/return policy.

So what I'm saying is, Kurt won't know the bass is bad until you tell him. But then he will do something about it.

 

[Dolflundgren]

one thing you need to remember about buying an SX from Rondo, is that they do not look at the bass before they send it to you (in the instance of buying a NEW bass) They have them in a warehouse and pull and ship the orders from there. So the basses come to you exactly as they left the factory.

It would not be cost effective for Kurt to open and inspect each SX before sending it in his current business model. But he more than makes up for that part with his excellent customer service and exchange/return policy.

So what I'm saying is, Kurt won't know the bass is bad until you tell him. But then he will do something about it.

This is incredibly important to understand and (I think) the reason that SX is so unique.

 

[dougjwray]

one thing you need to remember about buying an SX from Rondo, is that they do not look at the bass before they send it to you (in the instance of buying a NEW bass) They have them in a warehouse and pull and ship the orders from there. So the basses come to you exactly as they left the factory.

It would not be cost effective for Kurt to open and inspect each SX before sending it in his current business model. But he more than makes up for that part with his excellent customer service and exchange/return policy.

So what I'm saying is, Kurt won't know the bass is bad until you tell him. But then he will do something about it.

Yup, I understand that.
Personally, I'd rather spend, say, $125 instead of $99 on a bass if it would mean that it would get looked at before being shipped.
But, having said that, so far I'm very impressed by the (post-purchase) customer service.