Buck62
噛んでくれ
The bottom line on the guitar brands sold by Rondo is that they are "project" guitars for experienced players and "beginner" guitars for teenagers and novices.
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
Sounds like they needed to add a little paraffin.
G
Guitarer
New member
I just bought an SX J-Bass the other day. No doubt in my mind I'll be modding the hell out of it, but that's why I bought it.
After factoring in new pups, new bridge, new tuners, new electronics, and the cost of painting it, I'm only spending $50 less than a Fender Standard MIM, but It's bound to be a good deal better.
After factoring in new pups, new bridge, new tuners, new electronics, and the cost of painting it, I'm only spending $50 less than a Fender Standard MIM, but It's bound to be a good deal better.
Gear_Junky
New member
sure, and the same can be said for the majority of Epiphones (i mean the gibson copies, not "the" epiphones), Squiers and possibly even MIM fenders.
there is probably some differences in warranty, etc. but as a player progresses and learns what he wants he's bound to do projects on those, unless maybe he can afford gibson and/or fender (on which people still often upgrade pickups).
... and don't forget those who can't afford an expensive instrument (or several) and hobbyists who can't justify spending thousands on guitars/amps (which would actually be robbing the family).
so i'd say rondo is occupying a pretty good niche there. They do good and they do it well and i'm sure they're doing well as a result
there is probably some differences in warranty, etc. but as a player progresses and learns what he wants he's bound to do projects on those, unless maybe he can afford gibson and/or fender (on which people still often upgrade pickups).
... and don't forget those who can't afford an expensive instrument (or several) and hobbyists who can't justify spending thousands on guitars/amps (which would actually be robbing the family).
so i'd say rondo is occupying a pretty good niche there. They do good and they do it well and i'm sure they're doing well as a result
T
toobalicious
New member
actually, these pups are either not potted at all, or are not potted well. i remember no evidence of potting when i pulled them out--- yes, i did give them the once over before filing them away. i have seen other cheapos that had no potting, so this is no surprise. i do remember it having a healthy amount of that brittle "cheap guitar" kind of sound. cool, it *was* a cheap guitar.
but i love the shape and feel of the neck, especially after i wet-sanded the back of it with 600 grit
.a
G
Guitarer
New member
Just got my J-Bass in, and wow am I surprised. Finish is pretty much Fender quality, neck is comfortable and great (although could use a little wet sanding), tuners seem to hold pretty well, and the pickups...they get a decent sound, but are pretty noisy. Of course, I've only plugged it DI into my DMP3 using the "Direct Box Deep" setting on Garageband, but I'm more than happy with this thing.
Honestly, the only bad thing I have to say about it is the jack was loose out of the box, but hey, that's not even a complaint. Hell, it only needed extremely minor intonation adjustment that the average person probably wouldn't have even noticed.
Shame I got such a perfect one when I'm tearing it apart and replacing everything anyway.
Honestly, the only bad thing I have to say about it is the jack was loose out of the box, but hey, that's not even a complaint. Hell, it only needed extremely minor intonation adjustment that the average person probably wouldn't have even noticed.
Shame I got such a perfect one when I'm tearing it apart and replacing everything anyway.
Gear_Junky
New member
i had 2 fender MIM jazzes (fretless and fretted) and the pickups were noisy too - they're single coil. You'll just need to shield it - fun and easy project and costs next to zero.
T
toobalicious
New member
that will do exactly zero to combat the severe microphony that mine exhibited (for a short time----they live in a covered box now).
a
G
Guitarer
New member
I'm sure replacing the pickups would be a pretty major upgrade anyhow, but I plan on shielding the cavities with copper tape when I replace them. I'm thinking a set of GFS pickups. I was trying to decided between Basslines, EMG HZ, and Fender Noiseless, but at $60 for the GFS set, I'm willing to just make a blind purchase. I hear great things about GFS.
Gear_Junky
New member
so far i only have GFS in my guitar (Dream 180's). Nice.
I would suggest alnico pickups (warmer tone), they'll be an imrpovement over stock. i did have the jazz quarter pounders and while nice, they were overpriced. had i known of gfs back then, i'd go with their stuff. just look at alnicos, they probably have them.
I would suggest alnico pickups (warmer tone), they'll be an imrpovement over stock. i did have the jazz quarter pounders and while nice, they were overpriced. had i known of gfs back then, i'd go with their stuff. just look at alnicos, they probably have them.