NBD. SX content inside!

Big Hoss

Big Hoss

Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
Sep 5, 2014
5,454
4,228
4,876
In body. Texas. In spirit on the road.
daves-workshop.blogspot.com
Disclosures
None
#1
After discovering the new CITES regulations, it became obvious that holding out for a Rosewood fingerboard was going to be a fruitless effort. I've been itching for a passive PJ bass since I sold my old Squier PJ Bass Special back in 2003. This should satiate that!

So here she is, the new SX Ursa 3 MN 3TS, complete with the more fitting new headstock design.

full.jpg


full.jpg


She's completely fresh out of the box, not even restrung, set up or tuned yet...
 
  • Like
Reactions: fretter, Wafl, seedokebass and 8 others
#3
I just got the Ursa 2 with the new headstock and I'm really loving it. This is my third SX bass and I've been pretty impressed with all three.

I'm kinda kicking myself for it getting the Ursa 3, but I just couldn't get on with the available colors (was hoping for a CAR in full 34" scale, but there isn't one yet).

Hope you enjoy your new bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crusher47
#4
Rip Topaz said:
I just got the Ursa 2 with the new headstock and I'm really loving it. This is my third SX bass and I've been pretty impressed with all three.

I'm kinda kicking myself for it getting the Ursa 3, but I just couldn't get on with the available colors (was hoping for a CAR in full 34" scale, but there isn't one yet).

Hope you enjoy your new bass.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am on #3 for SX basses. I took the cheap plunge on my Ursa 1 in 2015 as a lunch time practice bass I could leave at my desk and not worry too much about it. Well it quickly became my main player with the custom Affinity Jazz being relegated to an every now and then player status.

As I started playing more and more, I wanted to try a 5 string, and sold my Ibanez SR500 which I never played, and bought the Ursa 2 MN 5 3TS. This isn't my first 5 string, but it is the first 5 string I like playing aside from the Squier VM Jaguar Bass V.

One thing that has been nagging me, ever since 2003 was I always regretted selling my passive Squier PJ Bass, and always wanted to get another passive PJ. I don't really like the Affinity PJ all that well, neck feels wrong to my hands, so I figure the Ursa 3 neck has to have the same profile as the Ursa 1 which I LOVE that neck. I was holding out for a Rosewood fingerboard which never showed up in stock. Now I know why...

Once I was clued in to the CITES regulations, I figured I would go ahead with the alder / maple combo. Not my #1 choice, but certainly sustainable...
 
#8
seedokebass said:
I've really been considering one of these to see if it satisfies my PJ gas. They look so good!
Click to expand...

All I can say is go for it... While certainly not a boutique instrument, they are great players, and wonderful modding platforms. I probably never should have bought that Ursa 1, it put me on a slippery slope...

The faults that I found plentiful in the Squier I had, and the Fenders I have played, just aren't here for me. I am funny, I am all about the feel of a bass, and I REALLY like the Squier Affinity Jazz neck, as well as the Ursa 1, and 3 necks, and for the 5 banger that Ursa 2 neck really does something for me...

Everyone has a different preference, but I really think I found my niche...
 
  • Like
Reactions: seedokebass
#9
Big Hoss said:
All I can say is go for it... While certainly not a boutique instrument, they are great players, and wonderful modding platforms. I probably never should have bought that Ursa 1, it put me on a slippery slope...

The faults that I found plentiful in the Squier I had, and the Fenders I have played, just aren't here for me. I am funny, I am all about the feel of a bass, and I REALLY like the Squier Affinity Jazz neck, as well as the Ursa 1, and 3 necks, and for the 5 banger that Ursa 2 neck really does something for me...

Everyone has a different preference, but I really think I found my niche...
Click to expand...

I would rock one of these with my Skyline no problem if it feels good! I figure if the tone isn't there, new pickups into it would still keep the cost of admission low.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big Hoss
#10
I have an SX Jazz Bass too, the old one with the Fender-ish Headstock.
I got since 10 years, if I remember well it's an SX SJB-62,lake placid blue maple fretboard.

It's an "ok bass". I sanded the neck because the maple one came with an ugly orange "vintage not nitro sort of glue" all over the neck. But after some years I swapped it, it was a real s*it. Big (really, really fat), poor fretjob...

The pickups are bad (on mine, they were). Really. I swapped them for Dimarzios DP123, sound a lot better.
The bridge is a s*it too. but it's a Fender style bridge so...

Today, with all mods on her, it's ok. Not a killer bass, not a real trash too. The sound is great, but you still hear the lack of fatness and growl in the body. The finish on the body is thick, it looks like a toy.

For people who ask if it's a good choice to buy one... hmm if you really don't want to put more than 400€ (mod included, i spent 400€.) you can try. But I'll never say that it's a "killer bass, better than so many custom fender" like some people try to pretend (convince themselves?)
 
Last edited:
#12
fretter said:
Funny story, I really liked my SX fretless maple neck until I got a Fender J bass. Now the SX neck feels like a Louisville slugger. I love my Agile guitar, however.
Click to expand...

What's even funnier. I bought my Ibanez SR480 because at the time, a P profile neck just felt too chunky to me. Fast forward what is it now 14 years? Well anyway I wouldn't consider the SR profile necks any more. Too dang thin, my fingers keep running over themselves.

The Ursa 3 actually feels a bit chunkier in the neck than the Ursa 1, probably has something to do with the finish, but I am getting used to it fast...
 
#13
Big Hoss said:
What's even funnier. I bought my Ibanez SR480 because at the time, a P profile neck just felt too chunky to me. Fast forward what is it now 14 years? Well anyway I wouldn't consider the SR profile necks any more. Too dang thin, my fingers keep running over themselves.

The Ursa 3 actually feels a bit chunkier in the neck than the Ursa 1, probably has something to do with the finish, but I am getting used to it fast...
Click to expand...
The quality of the SX neck is impeccable, and I'll keep it around for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back