Another SX STL-50 review and question.

redddog · May 11th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Hey there all.

I just stumbled upon these SXs and my love of the Tele and the absence of any cash to speak of has pushed me into one. My Brother and I got a couple just to mod and play for fun.

I have an 1980 American strat, a '67 335 and an Epiphone Casino that I've upgraded everything on(nut, bigsby, pups, electronics etc). So I'm down with the whole "guitars that you mod" thing.

I recieved it the other day and overall, it was OK. There is a noticeable round dent about the size of a nickle in the first fret. One side of the neck pickup screw is stripped so that you can't adjust it. the string through holes in the back are totally out of line.

Otherwise, it plays fairly well.

My questions are these:

1. Should I have Kurt send me another?

2. I've read about the 3 saddle mod but I can't find any in depth info on it. Can someone give me a thread?

3. Is there anything else I should be considering for modding?

It's a bummer about the unswappable bridge. It's a bigger bummer about the neck. Does the Fender neck fit or no? I have read both.

Thanks all and my appologies for another SX thread.

lostpick · May 11th, 2008, 06:41 PM

I would complain...
everybody else gets good ones...
why not you?

mikespe · May 11th, 2008, 06:46 PM

Kurt is very good about returns...just email him and he'll get back to you usually the same day. Most likely he'll ship the new one out to you before he gets the returned guitar.

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 09:06 PM

Heck yeah, let Kurt know...

redddog · May 11th, 2008, 09:14 PM

Ok. I'll give him an email.

What about that bridge mod. Is the 3 barrell mod worth the trouble? I'd love to get a link.

Thanks fellas.

JDRNoPro · May 12th, 2008, 02:09 PM

I'd definately exchange that one - my two 08s and all pics of recent ones I've seen have the string through holes lined up straight.

As to the 3 saddle conversion (using redrilled stock bridgeplate), I think it's worth it and very simple to do - do a search under Rondo SX Tele and you'll see some discussion and I believe hockeyrocker posted pix of his.

Good luck.

Jim

tdu · May 12th, 2008, 05:49 PM

I was on the Agile forum, and someone there mentioned GFS may be coming out with 3 barrel bridges that will fit these guitars.

redddog · May 13th, 2008, 11:13 AM

I've sent Kurt a few emails over the last few days without response.

Is this normal? I keep hearing about how great the customer service is. I wonder what's up.

redddog · May 13th, 2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdu

I was on the Agile forum, and someone there mentioned GFS may be coming out with 3 barrel bridges that will fit these guitars.

Yeah I saw that too. That'll be good.

JDRNoPro · May 13th, 2008, 10:22 PM

reddog- did you hear back from Kurt @ Rondo? He's always responded to my email inquiries very promptly.

Also just sent you a PM re: bridge mods.

Jim

Blueblood · May 14th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Kurt's more than a gentleman.
I know what it's like chopping on the bit but just hang tight...

rhh7 · May 14th, 2008, 06:25 AM

I sent Kurt a question about Ebay shipping rates vs. shipping rates on his website. My question went out at 10:00 p.m., I had an answer by 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

redddog · May 15th, 2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhh7

I sent Kurt a question about Ebay shipping rates vs. shipping rates on his website. My question went out at 10:00 p.m., I had an answer by 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

I sent 4 emails to him starting last wednesday AM. I have yet to hear from him.

getbent · May 15th, 2008, 10:52 AM

call (603) 542-5100

redddog · May 15th, 2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

call (603) 542-5100

Left a message on Tues. Does anyone happen to have Kurt's extension? The only one they offer is Shari @ customer service. That's where I left the message.

Thanks.

keeffan · May 15th, 2008, 04:31 PM

That was me on the Agile forum. Jay at GF said the import vintage bridges would be up this fall.

I lucked into a free set of G&L brass hammer saddles and they fit pretty good (pic link.. http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squi...?TOPIC_ID=3255)

I will be buying the 3 saddle version from Jay this fall though

mikespe · May 15th, 2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redddog

Left a message on Tues. Does anyone happen to have Kurt's extension? The only one they offer is Shari @ customer service. That's where I left the message.

Thanks.

I am very shocked that he hasn't gotten back to you. I have never had to wait more than 24 hours including on weekends. Kurt is VERY good at returning emails. I wonder if maybe something happened to him?

Here is the return page if you want to return it. But I am thinking something is wrong that he hasn't returned your messages.

redddog · May 15th, 2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikespe

I am very shocked that he hasn't gotten back to you. I have never had to wait more than 24 hours including on weekends. Kurt is VERY good at returning emails. I wonder if maybe something happened to him?

Here is the return page if you want to return it. But I am thinking something is wrong that he hasn't returned your messages.

That was my first thought. I felt comfortable buying from him BECAUSE of his reputation. It's been over a week and I still haven't heard a thing from him. My first thought was that he got hurt or went out of business or something.

I left another phone message today.

I hope there isn't anything wrong but if there isn't, this is NOT what I would classify as great customer service.

keeffan · May 15th, 2008, 10:13 PM

That is really strange. I emailed him yesterday and had a response within a couple of hours.

redddog · May 16th, 2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeffan

That is really strange. I emailed him yesterday and had a response within a couple of hours.

Well now I'm pissed.

Virgman · May 16th, 2008, 09:02 AM

Patience.

Double check the email address you used.

Kurt has always responded promptly to any of my inquiries.

JDRNoPro · May 16th, 2008, 11:09 AM

redddog:

What email address did you use? kurt@rondomusic.net has always produced a prompt response for me. Maybe he didn't get your messages.

Jim

redddog · May 16th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDRNoPro

redddog:

What email address did you use? kurt@rondomusic.net has always produced a prompt response for me. Maybe he didn't get your messages.

Jim

That's the one. Still a mystery.

May 11th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
redddog Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 40 Posts: 145	Another SX STL-50 review and question. Hey there all. I just stumbled upon these SXs and my love of the Tele and the absence of any cash to speak of has pushed me into one. My Brother and I got a couple just to mod and play for fun. I have an 1980 American strat, a '67 335 and an Epiphone Casino that I've upgraded everything on(nut, bigsby, pups, electronics etc). So I'm down with the whole "guitars that you mod" thing. I recieved it the other day and overall, it was OK. There is a noticeable round dent about the size of a nickle in the first fret. One side of the neck pickup screw is stripped so that you can't adjust it. the string through holes in the back are totally out of line. Otherwise, it plays fairly well. My questions are these: 1. Should I have Kurt send me another? 2. I've read about the 3 saddle mod but I can't find any in depth info on it. Can someone give me a thread? 3. Is there anything else I should be considering for modding? It's a bummer about the unswappable bridge. It's a bigger bummer about the neck. Does the Fender neck fit or no? I have read both. Thanks all and my appologies for another SX thread.

May 11th, 2008, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	Heck yeah, let Kurt know... __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.

May 12th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 57 Posts: 196 1 Photos	I'd definately exchange that one - my two 08s and all pics of recent ones I've seen have the string through holes lined up straight. As to the 3 saddle conversion (using redrilled stock bridgeplate), I think it's worth it and very simple to do - do a search under Rondo SX Tele and you'll see some discussion and I believe hockeyrocker posted pix of his. Good luck. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!

May 12th, 2008, 05:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,378 9 Photos	I was on the Agile forum, and someone there mentioned GFS may be coming out with 3 barrel bridges that will fit these guitars. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

May 13th, 2008, 10:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 57 Posts: 196 1 Photos	reddog- did you hear back from Kurt @ Rondo? He's always responded to my email inquiries very promptly. Also just sent you a PM re: bridge mods. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!

May 11th, 2008, 06:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
lostpick Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 932	I would complain... everybody else gets good ones... why not you?

May 11th, 2008, 09:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
redddog Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 40 Posts: 145	Ok. I'll give him an email. What about that bridge mod. Is the 3 barrell mod worth the trouble? I'd love to get a link. Thanks fellas.

May 13th, 2008, 11:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
redddog Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 40 Posts: 145	I've sent Kurt a few emails over the last few days without response. Is this normal? I keep hearing about how great the customer service is. I wonder what's up.

May 14th, 2008, 05:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Blueblood Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Directly in front of monitor Age: 55 Posts: 679 13 Photos	Kurt's more than a gentleman. I know what it's like chopping on the bit but just hang tight... __________________ (((((((((((({{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{got mojo?}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}))))))))))))

May 14th, 2008, 06:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
rhh7 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 271 4 Photos	Kurt's response time I sent Kurt a question about Ebay shipping rates vs. shipping rates on his website. My question went out at 10:00 p.m., I had an answer by 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

May 15th, 2008, 10:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	call (603) 542-5100 __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.

May 15th, 2008, 04:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
keeffan NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: spartanburg Posts: 6	That was me on the Agile forum. Jay at GF said the import vintage bridges would be up this fall. I lucked into a free set of G&L brass hammer saddles and they fit pretty good (pic link.. http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squi...?TOPIC_ID=3255) I will be buying the 3 saddle version from Jay this fall though

May 15th, 2008, 10:13 PM	#19 (permalink)
keeffan NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: spartanburg Posts: 6	That is really strange. I emailed him yesterday and had a response within a couple of hours.

May 16th, 2008, 09:02 AM	#21 (permalink)
Virgman TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Joisey Posts: 27	Patience. Double check the email address you used. Kurt has always responded promptly to any of my inquiries.

May 16th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#22 (permalink)
JDRNoPro Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orrington, ME Age: 57 Posts: 196 1 Photos	redddog: What email address did you use? kurt@rondomusic.net has always produced a prompt response for me. Maybe he didn't get your messages. Jim __________________ Reflection upon my playing is a reminder to keep my regular job..........pays better but not nearly as enjoyable!!