SX bass mod

R

Roltancc

Guest
Dec 6, 2016
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#1
Hi Guys,

I do not gig often and hence I didn't want to get myself a more expensive bass, currently I have this SX bass which I kinda like. I'm just wondering if it is a good idea to change the pick up of my SX bass to
Seymour Duncan SJB-3 Quarter Pound Jazz Bass Guitar Pickup Set + Control Plate.
Will there be great different in the tone or if the sound will be brighter? Any input is welcome.
my sx.jpg
 
#2
I would not assume the control plate (made to fit a Fender, I assume) will fit on the SX.
 
#3
I've never tried Quarter Pounders, so don't have an opinion about them. I put Dimarzio DP-123s in an SX short-scale "Jazz" and was pleased with the results. They were much hotter and more defined than the stock SX pickups and offered the added bonus of individually-adjustable (with an Allen wrench) pole pieces:

DiMarzio Model J™ | DiMarzio

If you get these, be sure to measure the width of both pickup routes, which may or may not be the same, and order accordingly. (Note information about pickup width in the linked product description)
 
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#4
I have made that mod on an Ibanez bass years ago. And yes, it makes quite a difference in both out put and sound. If it is a bass you are going to use for a while, then it is good.
Sooner or later you will want to upgrade. If you plan on selling or trading that bass to get a new one, keep the original pickups and reinstall them before parting with this bass. After all, the Quarter pounders are going to cost you more than the bass, and you may wish to sell them separately some day.
If you are going to mod this I would also change out the bridge, string tree and possibly tuners as well. They are cheap and will wear out. You may also wish to shield the control cavity to prevent hum as well as replace the pots. Look at it as a learning experience if you have never done it before. When finished you will have a good player at little cost compared to more expensive basses. Good luck!
 
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#6
I'd start with the pickups, wiring and shielding. Like Hondo4life, I like the tone of the 1/4 Pounder in my P-bass. I'm sure the J set would be an upgrade and It's fairly certain that the sound will be brighter. I've found that it's easy to warm the tone of mine with the tone knob though.

As for the hardware, I'd leave it for now unless it's giving you trouble.
 
#7
We who like to mod, are going to mod. I only play at church, and my main SXes do have non-stock pups but I also play dine of mine with stock pups.

And in order of bang for the buck, my list of mods on my SXes is:

1. Shielding
2. String tree that doesn't dig into the strings.
3. Series/parallel mod (switchpot on the tone knob)
4. Pups.
5. Bridge, except on the Ursa 2 6es.

Many times, I have stopped at #3.
 
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