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

Tim Armstrong · June 29th, 2008, 02:00 AM

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:

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

Steve G · June 29th, 2008, 09:34 AM

tim, that looks great.

Whats up with pink anyway?

Daddydex · June 29th, 2008, 09:53 AM

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

Dan

refin · June 29th, 2008, 10:05 AM

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

Darrell · June 29th, 2008, 10:31 AM

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.

eichaan · June 29th, 2008, 01:50 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

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.

Dave W · June 29th, 2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

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.

Steve G · June 29th, 2008, 02:30 PM

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

Tim Armstrong · June 29th, 2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve G

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!

Cheers, Tim

Tim Armstrong · June 29th, 2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

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!

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

beep.click · June 29th, 2008, 08:39 PM

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

FirstBassman · June 29th, 2008, 08:54 PM

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.

BillyC · June 30th, 2008, 12:51 AM

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.

Darrell · June 30th, 2008, 08:11 AM

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?

Tim Armstrong · June 30th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

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!

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!

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

Darrell · June 30th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Good point

...about you. ha ha.

Squier Esquire · June 30th, 2008, 08:49 PM

my brother got this bass last week. But iv'e been playin all week sounds alot better than my bass

heres a pic.

refin · June 30th, 2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

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

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.

Tim Armstrong · June 30th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Here's mine:

Cheers, Tim

play_loud · July 1st, 2008, 10:44 AM

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.

noisemedia · July 1st, 2008, 10:48 AM

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.

spauldingrules · July 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM

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?

FirstBassman · July 1st, 2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by play_loud

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

play_loud · July 1st, 2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

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??

June 29th, 2008, 02:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,886	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: 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 __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org Last edited by Tim Armstrong; June 29th, 2008 at 07:15 AM.

June 29th, 2008, 09:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Steve G Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LeeK (England) Posts: 1,555 54 Photos	tim, that looks great. Whats up with pink anyway? __________________ "He was a drinkin' man with a guitar problem..." http://www.myspace.com/stevegiddings http://www.myspace.com/hiandlonesome

June 29th, 2008, 09:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Daddydex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,575	Welcome to the SX club Tim! I have the same color in the traditional Jazz bass format. Love it. Good luck with it. Dan __________________ Teles are like Mr. Potato head

June 29th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
refin Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Panhandle Age: 52 Posts: 1,913	SX stuff is scary for the $----the Agile stuff is supposed to be even better. I really enjoy my SX "LP Special". __________________ "For You,Lord,are good,and ready to forgive,and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Ps. 86:5 http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/refin_music.htm MASTER VOLUME? WHAT'S A MASTER VOLUME?

June 29th, 2008, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,463	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. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too." Last edited by Darrell; June 29th, 2008 at 11:31 AM.

June 29th, 2008, 02:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Steve G Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LeeK (England) Posts: 1,555 54 Photos	And we all thought you were such a good example to the GAS prone with your zen-like resistance to guitar purchases. __________________ "He was a drinkin' man with a guitar problem..." http://www.myspace.com/stevegiddings http://www.myspace.com/hiandlonesome

June 29th, 2008, 08:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,793	Congrats on the bass. A short-scale P-Bass sounds like a really good idea! __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 29th, 2008, 08:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,155	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.

June 30th, 2008, 12:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
BillyC Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NC Age: 60 Posts: 262	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.

June 30th, 2008, 08:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,463	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? __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 30th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,463	Good point ...about you. ha ha. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 30th, 2008, 09:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,886	Here's mine: Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

July 1st, 2008, 10:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
play_loud Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sydney Age: 19 Posts: 183	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.

July 1st, 2008, 10:48 AM	#21 (permalink)
noisemedia TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: san diego, ca Age: 30 Posts: 47	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.

July 1st, 2008, 11:00 AM	#22 (permalink)
spauldingrules TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kansas City Age: 33 Posts: 10	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?