SX SPJ-62 Bass Review: The Best Beginner's Bass

For new bass players, there is no better way to start than with an SX SPJ-62. It gets the trademark tones of both a Fender Precision bass and a Fender Jazz bass in a single, $120 bass guitar. And really, there is no need to upgrade from this bass -- many pro and semi-pro musicians gig with SX basses regularly.

In its basic parts, the SX SPJ-62 is very close to its Fender inspiration. The Precision-style body is solid three-piece alder, the neck is maple and the fretboard is rosewood. The tuning machines are all on one side of the headstock, with classic "cloverleaf" tuners. Though it's heavy compared to Fender basses, mine came very well set-up, tuned, and with surprisingly good strings that I haven't replaced in the two months I've had it.

Cosmetically, the SX SPJ-62 is good if not extraordinary. The Vintage White finish on mine looks good under natural light, but compact fluorescent bulbs give it a phosphorus-green hue. Other finishes, like Lake Placid Blue and natural ash, don't have this problem. The two-ply black pickguard is on the cheap side.

The maple neck is stained orange, giving a believable vintage look. The neck also has a very heavy gloss topcoat that feels sticky with even a little sweat on the thumb or palm. Lightly rubbing the neck with sandpaper takes care of this problem. Though it will never compete with a custom job, the SX has the fit and finish of at least a Mexican-made Fender.

Sonically, this bass is outstanding, especially for its price. The SPJ-62 has both Precision pickups and Jazz pickups, creating a wide range of timbres from mid-heavy and supportive to rumbling lows with cutting highs. This bass is guaranteed to fit into almost any musical situation.

Customer service with SX basses is impressive as well. Rondo Music, the chief seller of SX basses in the USA, will not only accept returns on defective instruments, but they also cover all shipping costs if the bass is returned within a week of receiving it.

Rondo accepts returns, but does not cover shipping, for up to a month thereafter. My bass arrived without Allen wrenches for setting up, and after an email to Rondo Music, my wrenches were on the way. I've never talked to a Rondo Music customer that had any complaints about the customer service, even if the bass they originally received was defective.

Beginning bassists should consider an SX bass before a Rogue, or even a Squier. The fit and finish are consistent, the sound is outstanding, and the customer service is flawless.