mini 'review' of a Rondo "SX" brand short scale P bass

[broadcaster]

I ordered and received this package from Rondo yesterday for a couple of fledging musicians in my family.

Packaged well and received with no damage. The only error being black color, I ordered a 3TS bass, which was marked on the bottom of the box. The factory (in China) put a black bass in a sunburst box. I e-mailed Kurt and he offered to make it right.

The finish is as good as any standard Fender. The bass body is smaller than a standard size p bass body, it's short scale neck has a full size headstock, yet balances well and is fairly light (dead 9v battery in my home scale). I gave it a quick set-up, as it arrived with high action.

The split pickup has pole pieces that protrude out higher than any p pup I have seen, and it sounds just ok. I would describe the tone as a bit nasally and lacking bottom.

The bridge adjustments function ok, though I noticed chrome finish flaking off metal parts when adjusting and a few hex screws turned hard, some turned smooth.

Truss rod functioned fine as I had to tighten a bit to straighten a bow. The neck is the surprise here as it is now arrow straight, with no high frets and the ends are dressed 95% smooth from the factory. The nut is cut a little high and will need to be filed lower, but I can live with it for now.

Pots are ok and the tuners do what they are designed for, but a couple of them turn harder than others and one has a small bit of slippage.

For less than 150 usd shipped, one gets a p bass, 15 watt practice amp that works and sounds good, a strap, flimsy gig bag, cheap cable and instructional dvd.

I will eventually find a used replacement set of split pups to spice up the tone and file down the nut. A good starter bass for kids.