SX STL50/62 Owners Club

[JDRNoPro]

Originally Posted by Kebmel

I put in Tonerider pups and upgraded the machine heads.

They now both sound like the real thing and I'm well pleased.

Beautiful pair of SX's!

[JDRNoPro]

Originally Posted by given2flym

Thanks for the info. I went into this and used a bunch of posts here and the Reranch info as guides. My main focus was no runs or sags and I only had one small one on the bottom edge of the guitar. I sanded it with like 400 and resprayed over just that area and I can't even tell where it was now. So that's good.

I definitely plan on sanding and polishing the clear. Want a nice shine. Now that I know it's difficult to get a really even color with a can, I may just try to touch up a few spots and move on to the clear coating when I get back into town.

I don't really have an area to paint in, so I've been doing it outside and, yeah, the wind sucks. :) But with the green being so dark (which I wanted) you can't really notice any of the dust. The clear coat will be a different story. Hopefully not too big of a pain.


I plan on spraying quite a few extra coats of the clear lacquer to give me a little protection from sand throughs (and being very careful on the edges). Two questions: 1. do you sand and of the coats or only sand at the end to get the high gloss? 2. did you only sand the top coat with 1000grit wet or did you work your way up to that?
thanks again for all the info. Very very helpful.

Littlewing provided lots of good pointers. I think metallic colors are harder to achieve even coverage from spray cans for a base coat and tend to have more texture. I found that I get better coverage by: 1) holding the can a little closer to lay on a bit wetter so it levels better (obviously not so close to create runs, sags , or blotches) 2) do even strokes across the body in one direction (don't go back and forth or application might not be as even) 3) start spraying just before your stroke passes over the surface and don't stop until you've cleared the surface - uses more paint this way but application rate is apt to be more uniform. 4) quickly repeat your passes so the overlap blends with the prior pass while it's still very wet - make sure you have good overlap. 5) pay attention to keeping the speed of your passes across the surface as uniform as possible.

What is the actual brand/color green you are using? Good luck and keep at it - will be worth it!

[given2flym]

Originally Posted by JDRNoPro

What is the actual brand/color green you are using? Good luck and keep at it - will be worth it!

I guess I should've asked specific questions BEFORE I started.

After reading some thread here and a few sites, I went with the 'lean towards the dry side, dust on the paint' camp. But after doing it and seeing my results, I think your method would have worked out much better and gotten me closer to the result I was hoping for. It looks pretty nice as it is. Not a pro job by any means, but I really like the color. Exactly what I was going for.

It's DupliColor Truck Van & Suv Acrylic Lacquer in a can. The color is 'Deep Jewel Green'. And as I said, it looks really good. I'm thinking of doing another one with a 'bucker at the neck and painting it the same color as my car - a dark metallic gray.

Thanks again everyone for the info and support.

[littlewing6283]

good luck. for me the base was the easier part. take your time w/ the clear and dont start sanding until its cured

[rolilohse]

My SX arrived today! She really looks terrific - although sunburst was my second choice but the BSB looked like mustard on Ebay.

Pro:
- Fantastic Build at first look
- Good dry sound
- Fairly good sound from the bridge PU
- Tele style headstock
- "Custom Handmade"

Cons:
- Strings
- Neck PU
- Tuners

Considering the price it's a real hit

Now I am looking for good replacement PUs, this shall be a budget project, maybe I go for the Artec Alnico 5 PUs that are sold at Ebay. Any other suggestions?

Cheers Roland

[JDRNoPro]

Very nice SX and you were lucky to get the non - USA headstock shape. Before relacing pickups you might expriment with pickup heights. Not sure what shipping cost to Hamburg would be but I've been really happy with GFS alnico vintage style pickups.

[rolilohse]

Originally Posted by JDRNoPro

Not sure what shipping cost to Hamburg would be but I've been really happy with GFS alnico vintage style pickups.

Shipping costs to Germany are 20 $ - that's why I am looking for a cheaper alternative.

Has anyone experiene with one of these:

- Artec Alnico 5 Tele pups ($ 30/set)
- Artec Giovanni ($ 45/set)
- Wilkinson (lic) Vintage pups ($ 28/set)?

Any tips are appreciated.

Roland

[storyboards27]

Has anyone experiene with one of these:

- Artec Alnico 5 Tele pups ($ 30/set)
- Artec Giovanni ($ 45/set)
- Wilkinson (lic) Vintage pups ($ 28/set)?

Haven't used them on a tele, but I have used licensed Wilkinson pups in a Jazz bass and I was pretty pleased with them.

I've been looking at SX teles for a while now and I want to get one before the ones with the old headstock are gone. Have any of you SX owners out there have turned one of these teles into a '72 Custom? I've been gassing for one for a while now...

[telecster]

I am looking at buy a SX STL CAR RED.
Anyone change to the barrel style bridge with a ashtray cover?
I was looking at the BSB but not sold on the new headstock!

[JDRNoPro]

telecster: it can be done but it's a lot of work - bridge position and mounting screw pattern are different than stock. Do a search and you'll find some detailed exlanations that I and others have posted. You can also drill the stock bridge plate to accept 3 brass saddles pretty easily though.

[longbow]

I just bought my second one about 1 hour ago. This is the sunburst model featured on there website. Birthday next week so what the heck right. A cheap present to myself. I have a set of tone riders ready to go in it when it gets here. Maybe upgrade the pots, and put a 4 way in it. thanks

PS have the antique white one too with some nice pups and a 4 way switch and it sound excellant and plays excellant so much so that I sold my Vibe. Yep like it that much. Neck is what sold it for me, just a nice fatback neck.

[telekaster1999]

sx (Medium).jpg
I am very happy with mine as well. I did have to machine down the saddle screws after I set it up.Can anyone offer any tips on installing a humbucker in the neck. THANKS.

[telecster]

Originally Posted by JDRNoPro

telecster: it can be done but it's a lot of work - bridge position and mounting screw pattern are different than stock. Do a search and you'll find some detailed exlanations that I and others have posted. You can also drill the stock bridge plate to accept 3 brass saddles pretty easily though.

Just drill between the existing holes?
That sounds like a simple solution.
Any problems with the chrome?

[Danno]

This one sports a white pick guard these days:



I was going for a poor man's G.E. Smith. All stock other than the recent PG. It sounds fantastic in stock form - why mess with it?

[JDRNoPro]

Originally Posted by telecster

Just drill between the existing holes?
That sounds like a simple solution.
Any problems with the chrome?

Basically that's it - measure carefully, don't get the holes too high or low, and use good sharp bits. Chrome is hard so the sharp bits or a punch mark to start helps. I think I might have worked up to the hole size drilling a small pilot hole first. Didn't have any problems with chrome peeling or anything. I believe I also bought some longer machine screws at the local hardware store for the brass saddles because of the longer stock bridge late. Not a great pic, but here's an SX that I put brass saddles on:

[telecster]

Thanks I think I will be ordering the CAR on Monday!
Did the longer screws help the intonation?
My lapsteel stand should be here today. Love this SX gear!

[Saxguitar]

Just wanted to say that after lots of thinking I bought the SX STL 50 BSB. Just arrived, imediatetly got it out of the box, tuned it up, plugged it in. Oh is that a sweet sound, this guitar sounds way better than anything else I have ever played (even better than an Ibanez Artcore and Ibanez RG270DX), this is my first tele and I want to say thanks to this thread for getting me interested in the SX Tele, big thanks to Muddslide for mentioning Rondo Music. I doubt any mods will be done for a while since it sounds AMAZING and I don't have the money.

It looks so much sweeter in person( I thought it looked cool online) and I cryed when I held her in my arms the first time. It is beautiful.

[telecster]

Are the hole patterns the same as the standard tele pickguards

[JDRNoPro]

Originally Posted by telecster

Are the hole patterns the same as the standard tele pickguards

No - as is the case with most copies or when putting many aftermarket PG's on Fender spec bodies. No big deal to drill new holes or file/sand PG's to fit around neck and control plate exactly if that's necessary.

As far as the longer screws with the brass saddles, they do provide a wider potntial adjustment range to intonate. CAR looks good - I like that pic of Danno's.

[telecster]

Just got to get Kurt to get a SX Tele white pg

[eyerish]

Hi All
I just bought from the TDPRI classifieds an SX STL50 that was modified by Rob DiStefano. It arrives on the 6th of June(wrung my hands red and raw with anticipation) heres some pics that Rob took.

[littlewing6283]

very cool eyerish. I used to have the same color guitar. i have since painted it gold. but I did quite a bit of work to it. its how I learned to do all the modding and setups.

[longbow]

I just rec. the above STL50 3TS the other day. My second SX. It is in a word superb. I haven't even changed the strings yet. Big old fat back neck, pups are very reasonable sounding, the fit of the neck and guitar in the pocket is about as tight as anything I have seen by any manufacture'er and the neck is dead nuts straight with 0 fret buzz that I can detect. The color could be a bit brighter on the burst but trust me on this this axe for the money spent is the BEST deal you can find on a guitar today. I freakanA like this thing.

I was going to do all sorts of upgrades to it including a new neck and pups but everything is on hold. I will definetly change out the strings and not because the strings on it are in any way second rate. They aren't. I just like fatter strings is all, 10's or 11's. The finish is a bit heavy on it but frankly for the price and the quality I don't really care just cause it plays so well. Running it through a CRATE VC50 and 20 and it just sounds excellant. Especially the bridge pup. Not ice pick sounding at all when twanging away. No shakes or rattles on the guitar either. Bumms me out as I don't see any company being able to compete with something like this either. thanks

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by longbow

I just rec. the above STL50 3TS the other day. My second SX. It is in a word superb. I haven't even changed the strings yet. Big old fat back neck, pups are very reasonable sounding, the fit of the neck and guitar in the pocket is about as tight as anything I have seen by any manufacture'er and the neck is dead nuts straight with 0 fret buzz that I can detect. The color could be a bit brighter on the burst but trust me on this this axe for the money spent is the BEST deal you can find on a guitar today. I freakanA like this thing.

I was going to do all sorts of upgrades to it including a new neck and pups but everything is on hold. I will definetly change out the strings and not because the strings on it are in any way second rate. They aren't. I just like fatter strings is all, 10's or 11's. The finish is a bit heavy on it but frankly for the price and the quality I don't really care just cause it plays so well. Running it through a CRATE VC50 and 20 and it just sounds excellant. Especially the bridge pup. Not ice pick sounding at all when twanging away. No shakes or rattles on the guitar either. Bumms me out as I don't see any company being able to compete with something like this either. thanks

************************************************** ********
The necks are the best I've seen in terms of meticulous fret work and beautiful Poly finish. Also, I you are a 6 saddle player as I am, the Bridge plates are top as well..very nice thickness to the plate like the Stew Mac or MIM plates for a great sound but with a 5 screw mount set up for more tone in my opinion.

[Saxguitar]

What gauge of strings do the guitars come set with stock? I have never had a guitar which has had this spot on intonation so I don't want to mess it up.

[telecster]

9's I believe.

[telecster]

OK I'm in. I orderd my CAR today. Kurt told me he had a white pick guard so I ordered that as well for $9.99. Now I just need to order some compensated brass saddles drill three holes and I will be one happy camper. Pictures to follow hopefully by the end of the week (3 day UPS)

[telecster]

Any recommendations on brass saddles?

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by telecster

Any recommendations on brass saddles?

************************************************** *******
There are countless Brass Saddle options to go with..so good luck

I will say this, those Bridge plates that SX are using, are excelent in my opinion. Nice thickness and length with 5 screws for fastening down the plate...makes for Great tone on a whole.

[bgood]

Anyone know if a Warmoth neck will go into those SX T style bodies without pocket mods? I'm thinking of getting one and I want to add a Warmoth Clapton neck to it.

Thanks

[telecster]

It's here. WOW Better than expected, even though this is my third SX product.
I got a white pick guard but I think I will leave the black one on.
Nice finish!!! My brass saddles also arrived. I can't wait to drill the holes and install.
Anyone sell a GE Smith bridge plate? I think that might be a cool mod!

[telecster]

Originally Posted by Danno

This one sports a white pick guard these days:



I was going for a poor man's G.E. Smith. All stock other than the recent PG. It sounds fantastic in stock form - why mess with it?

Cool! What bridge plate did you use? Did the holes matchup? How did you mount the pickup?
The GE Smith is kind of cool and different. I want to go with the brass saddles so this might be the best way to go.

[telecster]

Picture #1

[teleman55]

I got one of the LH STL50 BSB ones they were blowing out for $60 because the color was off (nice to find a deal for us lefties). I like thin necks but, I'm kinda liking that fat-assed neck. I got a set of alnico Vs I pulled out of a 4 year old MIM I'm going to put in it.
Should sound good. I got an SX LP Special clone I use for slide and an Agile electric 12 string.

[telecster]

Took the bridge plate off and there is and extra red wire going to th bridge pickup cavity that is not attached to anything. It comes off the 3 way switch. Any ideas what this was for?

[mrpicki]

Hey guys,

since when did they start making them with the proper headstock?

[thrashmetl]

Tonight I started to actually give these things a chance after hearing all of the good things you guys have to say about them. They come in much sexier colors than their main competitor does too, so show me yours.

One question though, what work did you have to do to yours when you got it to bring it up to your standards?

Maybe another question, what upgrades have you done?

[littlewing6283]

hey thrashmetl,

check out the SXSTL-50 club in the club owner threads. theyres plenty of pics in there. well heres my "esquired" STL50

it was playable out of the box except for the tuners. mine werent very good. i also had to cut the nut to accept 11's

i went a little overboard w/ my upgrades but it plays really well now

- GFS saddles
- GFS Gotoh style tuners
- GFS 60's vintage bridge pickup
- GFS Pickguard

[rolilohse]

Originally Posted by mrpicki

since when did they start making them with the proper headstock?

I don't know, I've got mine from a belgian ebay seller. Lucky me!

Originally Posted by thrashmetl

One question though, what work did you have to do to yours when you got it to bring it up to your standards?

Maybe another question, what upgrades have you done?

Mods up to now:

- Proper setup (I still have to make a fret levelling as there is some string buzz). Absolut must.

- Vintage bone nut (my 1st update). Absolut must (for sure any other material better than the original one is allowed).



- New tuner. Must.



- New pots and switch (Nice to have, the original ones were not good but OK). By the way: the switch is the only Fender part on my Tele up to now!



- New Wilkinson PUPs (slightly better than the original ones, but I am not quite happy with them), nice to have.

- New pickguard. Nice to have.


(sorry for the chickenhed knob, but my dealer only had one dome knob in stock)

[telecster]

Rolilohse
What tuners did you use and did they cover the holes.
Were the mounting holes the correct size?