My new SX short-scale P-bass is a killer!

Just got home from gigging the short-scale SX P-bass copy that I just picked up (a friend bought it, didn't dig it, sold it to me for $125, which was his cost shipped). I replaced the pickup with a nice Voodoo P-Bass pickup that I got from a friend a few years ago and never used, and I put on the TI Jazz Flats that another friend sent to me after I sent him a gig bag that I wasn't using (funny, the pickup and strings are worth just about as much as the bass was!).

I'm profoundly impressed with this instrument! The setup was perfect for the flats, the intonation is great, the neck has almost exactly the same feel as the old Fender Musicmaster Bass neck that I have on Pinky. It rings like a bell, sustains like a piano, and that Voodoo pickup is a stone killer (no surprise there!).

I'll post a picture tommorrow, but here's the pic from the Rondo page:

http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/spb5734lpb1.jpg

Funny thing about the original pickup. It's obviously in a P-Bass style cover, but the coils are almost as small as the Mustang Bass pickup I have. I must admit that I have no idea how it sounds, as I swapped in the Voodoo pickup without even bothering to check it out!

Anyway, it's very comfortable in my hands and hanging from my strap, looks great, isn't pink, and sounds and plays like a million bucks. It's my new number one!

Cheers, Tim

tim, that looks great.

Whats up with pink anyway?

Welcome to the SX club Tim! I have the same color in the traditional Jazz bass format. Love it. Good luck with it.

Dan

SX stuff is scary for the $----the Agile stuff is supposed to be even better.
I really enjoy my SX "LP Special".

Tim, I was just curious why you went with the short scale vs. the others, and you did not mention if you had to do the set up or if the bass was already set up well.

I is good to hear that Rondo uses standard dimensions for their pups so that they can be swaped out. I really like this one. BUT, I really wanted a tinted maple neck...how did the tint look on yours?

http://www.rondomusic.com/spj343ts.html

Some ACTUAL pictures would be nice.

Congrats on your new bass, Tim! I have the short scale, PJ coming Monday or Tuesday. It will be my first bass, and I am excited to learn more about the instrument.

Tim, I was just curious why you went with the short scale vs. the others, and you did not mention if you had to do the set up or if the bass was already set up well.

I is good to hear that Rondo uses standard dimensions for their pups so that they can be swaped out. I really like this one. BUT, I really wanted a tinted maple neck...how did the tint look on yours?

http://www.rondomusic.com/spj343ts.html

Some ACTUAL pictures would be nice.

Tim, I was just curious why you went with the short scale vs. the others...

Tim's just a short scale guy. We like him anyway, though. :mrgreen:

And we all thought you were such a good example to the GAS prone with your zen-like resistance to guitar purchases.

And we all thought you were such a good example to the GAS prone with your zen-like resistance to guitar purchases.

Oh, I don't buy guitars anymore!












....I buy basses!

:mrgreen:

Cheers, Tim

Tim, I was just curious why you went with the short scale vs. the others, and you did not mention if you had to do the set up or if the bass was already set up well.

I is good to hear that Rondo uses standard dimensions for their pups so that they can be swaped out. I really like this one. BUT, I really wanted a tinted maple neck...how did the tint look on yours?

http://www.rondomusic.com/spj343ts.html

Some ACTUAL pictures would be nice.

Like Dave said, I'm just a short-scale kinda guy! :mrgreen:

A few years back, I had a very nice but kinda heavy P-bass, and my band was playing 4-5 gigs a week (with a lot of doubles on Saturdays), and my back was giving me some trouble. So I bought one of those Rogue "Beatle Bass" Hofner copies as a second bass, thinking the light weight would be a big plus on those kinda days. Lo and behold, I found the short scale (it was 31") way friendlier to my fairly small hands.

But I missed the feel of a Fender, so I built a Musicmaster Bass out of parts (mostly from eBay), and that was like coming home. The old-style Fender neck (it was from a '73) really REALLY fit my hands quite well.

So this bass was supposed to be a backup, I had no strong inkling that it would be so nice. The neck is almost exactly like my '73 Musicmaster neck (slightly flatter fingerboard radius, and the fingerboard is maple rather than rosewood, but the back of the neck and the overall shape is identical).

As for the tint, it's nice and amber, very vintage-looking. I'd note that this bass says both "custom handmade" and "vintage series" on the neck, fwiw...

Cheers, Tim

Congrats on the bass. A short-scale P-Bass sounds like a really good idea!

Congrats Tim, glad to hear it.

Ya know I'm still on the fence ... not about Rondo equipment of course just on the short scale.

I also need an other bass like ... I need another guitar. :wink:

I've got a short scale SX Jazz bass I've been gigging with for the last couple of months,I'm very impressed with the quality of this thing...I just set it up and put flats on it,The stock pickups sound good..$126 shipping and all.

I am with BillyC...I still have to "get sold" on the short scale thing.

If I pulled the trigger today, it would be on the standard P, not the short scale. (Also considering some of the premiums in the 150 range on page 2)

Why? The scalop between a 1 1/2" nut to a 12" at the 20th fret just see so massive. Does it look funny or feel funny?

I am with BillyC...I still have to "get sold" on the short scale thing.

If I pulled the trigger today, it would be on the standard P, not the short scale. (Also considering some of the premiums in the 150 range on page 2)

Why? The scalop between a 1 1/2" nut to a 12" at the 20th fret just see so massive. Does it look funny or feel funny?

Not sure what you're asking, but nothing about the bass looks or feels funny to me. But as Dave W will tell you, that probably says more about me than it does the basses! :razz:

I'd never tell anyone that a 30" scale length is better or worse than a 34" scale length, because I've played both and both work very well. In my particular case, the shorter length suits ME better, ergonomically. I will say that, contrary to some opinions, I don't find any significant tonal variation. Again, that might say more about me than the basses, too! :oops:

:mrgreen:

The best recommendation I can give is to get your hands on one and try it. Heck, you could probably buy one of these and flip it if you don't dig it. They certainly aren't expensive!

Cheers, Tim

Good point

...about you. ha ha.

my brother got this bass last week. But iv'e been playin all week sounds alot better than my bass:oops: heres a pic.

Like Dave said, I'm just a short-scale kinda guy! :mrgreen:

A few years back, I had a very nice but kinda heavy P-bass, and my band was playing 4-5 gigs a week (with a lot of doubles on Saturdays), and my back was giving me some trouble. So I bought one of those Rogue "Beatle Bass" Hofner copies as a second bass, thinking the light weight would be a big plus on those kinda days. Lo and behold, I found the short scale (it was 31") way friendlier to my fairly small hands.

But I missed the feel of a Fender, so I built a Musicmaster Bass out of parts (mostly from eBay), and that was like coming home. The old-style Fender neck (it was from a '73) really REALLY fit my hands quite well.

So this bass was supposed to be a backup, I had no strong inkling that it would be so nice. The neck is almost exactly like my '73 Musicmaster neck (slightly flatter fingerboard radius, and the fingerboard is maple rather than rosewood, but the back of the neck and the overall shape is identical).

As for the tint, it's nice and amber, very vintage-looking. I'd note that this bass says both "custom handmade" and "vintage series" on the neck, fwiw...

Cheers, Tim

I agree,shorter scale basses can sound great.
I've got a Hofner Beatle Bass that sounds fantastic,as well as a different Hofner solid body---both are medium scale,not short.I also have a Teisco medium scale.There is something in the clarity that pokes through with these basses over my other ones,plus the weight/playability factor.

Here's mine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/tarmadilo/DSCN1119.jpg

Cheers, Tim

I own a "custom handmade SX" bass in sparkle red with a black pickgaurd. Identical to yours but a full scale. I LOVE it! Considering it only cost me AU $199.. WITH... might I add... a 15 watt Silvertone amp (great quality).

Was that a good buy or what!?

But I didnt know it came as a short scale! Damn!

P.s I adore that sky blue finish.

Chris.

hey guys im not a bass player anymore but damn, these SX guitars and basses are looking better ans better to me everyday. it seems all im hearing about them is really good stuff.

I got one of those, too, but the pickup sucks. Apparently a standard pickup will fit? Any recommendations for a cheap one that sounds decent?

But I didnt know it came as a short scale! Damn!



Here is the complete current line-up from Kurt:

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html

Here is the complete current line-up from Kurt:

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html

Thanks a bunch! Does rondo music ship internationally? I am from Australia.

Some of these basses just look absolutely gorgeous! Like this:

http://www.rondomusic.com/product1851.html

MMmMMmm... Fender Mustang much?? :shock:

Okay, so I went to purchase one of these babies..

Subtotal $139.95
Shipping $114.00
Total $253.95


Over $100 for shipping!? Awww man... Looks like ill have to source one in Sydney. Damn.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, that would be great!

Tim, your picture looks great. The neck has a nice tint to it, the overall scale of the bass looks nice, and the color is stunning.

You know, I haven't played a short scale in a littel while, but I am willing to guess that if you had one, played it out or on a recording, no one would hardly pick up on it. Maybe a few seeign it, but not most.

I may add one to the pack at some point. and............I agree - they are great basses.

Hi guys. I just got my short scale PJ bass today. I'll put up pics tomorrow (the camera is recharging).

I've never played bass before, but I love the way this feels. The neck is quite thin, and the body is only slightly larger than my Strat.

I took about an hour intonating it, and I think it is almost there. I'm not totally sold on the pickups, but for my purposes they are fine. The only issue is that the E string is quieter than the other strings.

I got it in the sunburst, and it's kind of nice, though the wood grain doesn't look like the alder on my Carvin, it still looks natural.

Overall, I think this will be educational and inspirational, for less than $200 shipped with a hardshell case.

Here is a brief clip. It is the line out from my Traynor Bassmate 25 into Garageband: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6682646

eichaan, I was eyeballing that one too. Nice choice as well.

Once again, they should make it illegal to post after purchasing a new bass or guitar, without posting a picture.

Pics tomorrow. A sound clip doesn't count? :)

Well, we are still talkin' to you...ha ha

I got one of those, too, but the pickup sucks. Apparently a standard pickup will fit? Any recommendations for a cheap one that sounds decent?

I think the Bill Lawrence P-46 (http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Pickup_Window/p46.htm) is a damn good one for $56.

Then, if you're really looking for cheap yet probably quite nice, these GFS pickups look interesting for $33 (http://store.guitarfetish.com/gfspbpropbas.html)...

Cheers, Tim

I think the Bill Lawrence P-46 (http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Pickup_Window/p46.htm) is a damn good one for $56.

Then, if you're really looking for cheap yet probably quite nice, these GFS pickups look interesting for $33 (http://store.guitarfetish.com/gfspbpropbas.html)...

Cheers, Tim

Thanks Tim, could be good for my squier P.
On another tack, do I remember you mentioning a good replacement for a squier bronco bass pickup? Basically a musicmaster bass i suppose..

Here are some pics of the SX-SPJ-62:

The headstock, showing the tinted finish (which is very orange):
http://www.ethanlewis.org/gtr00/sxhead.jpg

A closeup of the body:
http://www.ethanlewis.org/gtr00/sxbod.jpg

The paintjob is good, but the wood is kind of sketchy:
http://www.ethanlewis.org/gtr00/sxcloseup.jpg

Here is a shot of the whole collection together. I'll take one at a bigger resolution some other time:

http://www.ethanlewis.org/gtr00/family.jpg

Great pictures. That is what I love about that model so much...the jack cup is in the butt like a tele, and the pickup combination has to be fun.

Thanks Tim, could be good for my squier P.
On another tack, do I remember you mentioning a good replacement for a squier bronco bass pickup? Basically a musicmaster bass i suppose..

Yep, I put one of these Lil' Killer Humbucking Rail Pickup for Strat (http://store.guitarfetish.com/lilkicrhurap.html) pickups in Pinky, and it works very, very well. I went with the 10k "modern" wind...

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-50206111187217_2007_12551913

Cheers, Tim

Yep, I put one of these Lil' Killer Humbucking Rail Pickup for Strat (http://store.guitarfetish.com/lilkicrhurap.html) pickups in Pinky, and it works very, very well. I went with the 10k "modern" wind...

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-50206111187217_2007_12551913

Cheers, Tim

Cheers, Tim!

Nice bass Tim. I was curious to know how much smaller is the body from a standard full scale bass.

I'm hemming between one like yours and the vintage white full size one.

Decisions, decisions....:roll:

Nice bass Tim. I was curious to know how much smaller is the body from a standard full scale bass.

I'm hemming between one like yours and the vintage white full size one.

Decisions, decisions....:roll:

It's proportionately smaller, seems to me. Lighter, too, much to my aging back's relief!

Cheers, Tim

Here is the complete current line-up from Kurt:

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html
i likey the purple one.http://cudney.net/emotion-icons/coolsmiley.gif

I bought the short scale Jazz bass first then orderd the short scale P in fretless. I then ordered a short scale P in fretted with the maple neck but it came as another fretless. I then ordred their new bass that looks like a morph of the J bass and a Jaguar bass with J pickups and a rosewood fingerboard with big white block in-lays.
Now, I'm going to try to sell one of the fretless P basses and order another with frets and maple neck.
The quality and finish of their maple necks is fantastic for the money. In fact, I've been worried that they would start raising the prices but so far so good.

I'm interested in replacing the pickups in my J bass which is what I gig with now. My poor Fender P bass just sets in the case since I have my SX babies.