Surprised by SX 'Essex' VTG PJ Bass NBD

C Stone

C Stone

Sep 4, 2020
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USA
#1
I just picked up this SX PJ locally, I think it's 2008 (older style headstock) I am a sucker for inexpensive basses as mod platforms and had my eye out for a PJ. I was planning on using either a CV blocked and bound or a fretless neck on it (I already have both) but I may just leave it alone for minute...

I don't know much about the SX brand other than they are pretty inexpensive, it seems perfectly fine for a "cheapie", frets are good, knobs feel good, electronics are fine, bass looks nice and feels good overall.

This particular bass has been sittin in a case since it was purchased and hardly ever used (still has plastic on pg) pretty much in perfect condition and also came with a hard case for a C-note, anyway if you got this far here's a couple of pics and if you have one of these and have upgraded anything I'd be interested in hearing about it.
Thanks in advance. :thumbsup:
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#2
Had one just like it except it was white. The J pickup was only OK to me but the P pickup is darn good. Had I kept it, I would have had to do something about those polepieces sticking way up, but the P pickup has a great sound IMHO.
 
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#3
JimmyM said:
Had one just like it except it was white. The J pickup was only OK to me but the P pickup is darn good. Had I kept it, I would have had to do something about those polepieces sticking way up, but the P pickup has a great sound IMHO.
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Yep thats what I got as well, exactly the same...pretty much have to roll off the bridge p/u.
P pick up is THICK in a good way.
 
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#4
I am an SX bass junkie. I change strings on all, shield and do a series parallel mod on my J's but my P's are pretty good too go with me strings and a setup.

I have also dropped an Audere pre in a couple of J's which added some additional tone control, but the passive tone is fine for me.

I'm not currently using either of my PJ's.

SXes are great value-priced instruments in my book!
 
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#5
dabbler said:
I am an SX bass junkie. I change strings on all, shield and do a series parallel mod on my J's but my Ps are pretty good too go with me strings and a setup.

I have also dropped an Audere pre in a couple of J's which added some additional tone control, but the passive tone is fine for me.
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Thanks for the info, I shimmed the neck last night and changed the old awful stock strings and what a difference it made...:thumbsup:
 
#6
You got a great deal. Those "old style headstock" ones go for three times as much... Without a case!
I have a 2009 P, which I bought new as a low risk venture back to the world of Precisions after many years, and, to my surprise, it's turned out to be the bass I've gigged with the most, ever since.
One little thing that some people do (including me) is replace the string tree. The stock one has sharp edges which rub against the strings, inviting disaster.
 
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#7
C Stone said:
Thanks for the info, I shimmed the neck last night and changed the old awful stock strings and what a difference it made...:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I've shimmed a couple too. Usually, when I changed it s
dougjwray said:
You got a great deal. Those "old style headstock" ones go for three times as much... Without a case!
I have a 2009 P, which I bought new as a low risk venture back to the world of Precisions after many years, and, to my surprise, it's turned out to be the bass I've gigged with the most, ever since.
One little thing that some people do (including me) is replace the string tree. The stock one has sharp edges which rub against the strings, inviting disaster.
Click to expand...
dougjwray said:
You got a great deal. Those "old style headstock" ones go for three times as much... Without a case!...
Click to expand...

Seriously!? Gee, I guess I need to handle these with care!

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#8
dougjwray said:
You got a great deal. Those "old style headstock" ones go for three times as much... Without a case!
I have a 2009 P, which I bought new as a low risk venture back to the world of Precisions after many years, and, to my surprise, it's turned out to be the bass I've gigged with the most, ever since.
One little thing that some people do (including me) is replace the string tree. The stock one has sharp edges which rub against the strings, inviting disaster.
Click to expand...
Good info, great tip! YES the string tree did snaga little when I replaced strings so I did hit it with a file but do have extras.
I haven't looked at prices and plan on keeping it but good to know, thanks. :thumbsup:
 
#10
C Stone said:
Yo dabbler you weren't joking about the "SX bass junkie" thing.
WOW just WOW, looks like you got about every option covered there except variations in body color, whats up with that? Did you refinish them or are you constantly on the hunt? BTW very nice collection of SX's you got there...
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All original colors. And I have a problem passing up a good deal.

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#12
dabbler said:
All original colors. And I have a problem passing up a good deal.

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Me: "you got about every option covered there except variations in body color"

dabbler: HOLD MY BEER!
Amazing collection of SX's ya got. I too have a hard time passing up good deals, just missed out on a Squier musicmaster today for $120 a couple minutes too late.
Arg! Enjoy you collection!!!
 
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#17
Thread up-date so I have been playin this bass a lot lately and gotta say I have finally bonded with it...
The neck is pretty chunky (I prefer J necks) and had racked it fir a minute, anyway I kinda chilled with it to feel it out not really playing too aggressive just smooth and focused, it responds so well, it's not just a great bass fir the price it's a great bass.

I am surprised with not just the fit and finish of this bass which was why I posted the thread in the first place, but damn, the playabilty and tone I'm getting at this price point pretty surprising.
I could gig this bass, I won't but I could it sounds/feels solid. :thumbsup:
 
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