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Topic: New SX 8-string lap steel |
Mike Bacciarini
From:
Arizona
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Posted 25 Oct 2019 1:44 pm |
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Just got one of the SX 8-string lap steels for $189. Certainly not a high-end axe, but a tremendous value for my occasional use. Guitar, case and legs (pretty sturdy) for a bargain price. However, I found that it seemed quiet through all of my FX at first, until I kicked in the Tube Screamer. Then a terrible hum. Same thing with another distortion box and even using the amp's overdrive channel. Otherwise it was very quiet. Overall it also had a lower signal output than my MCI S-10 PSG w/ George L's E-66. The factory SX pickup is a simple single coil unit and I started suspecting a shielding problem. Here's where the bargain cooled off. I shielded the control cavity with copper foil and then replaced the stock pup with the original 10-string Barcus Barry unit from my MCI (knew I kept it for a reason).
This thing is now dead quiet and pumps out the signal. The BB pup sits on top of the route and is very close to the strings, unlike the original. There is serious sustain, with just the stock nut and bridge, and the tone with and without the Tube Screamer is great! All in all, I'm very pleased with my lap rig... I only spent a couple of bucks for a roll of copper foil tape. But going with a pup replacement would shoot down the bargain if you had to go out and buy a real pup.
Anyway, my story ends well....
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MCI Arlington S-10 3+5, George L E-66, BJS & Emmons bars, Fender Stage Lead II 100W 1x12, Fender Satellite SFX, custom FX rack, 1983 Dobro 60D, Martin D16GT, Ibanez AS73, 1978 Rickenbacker 4000 custom. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 27 Oct 2019 8:13 am
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Single coils usually "show off" their 60 cycle hum more dramatically once you kick on extra gain / overdrive. The stock soapbar in my SX 8 was similarly noisy. I think any (conventional) single coil soapbar would have a similar failing though. I replaced mine with a Lace Alumitone "bass bar" that is basically just a soapbar. Yours was a slightly cheaper solution than mine since you already had the pickup, but it's a great guitar for not a lot of dinero!
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Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 27 Oct 2019 12:19 pm
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Sorry you had issues with your SX 8 pickup.
My SX 6 has the P90 style pickup. No noise....sounds great....these guitars are a tremendous value. |
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Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 27 Oct 2019 4:16 pm
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I couldn't agree more with Jerry, the SX guitars I've owned (6 and 8 string lap and a square-neck reso) have all been well built, great looking budget guitars that punched well above their weight! In fact, selling my 8-string a while back to fund a brief PSG phase has left me with a serious case of seller's remorse. They've become unavailable over here, and all my efforts to find another have been unsuccessful.
If anyone out there knows of one for sale, ideally in Europe to reduce shipping costs etc, please let me know! |
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Mike Bacciarini
From:
Arizona
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Posted 26 Nov 2019 9:48 am
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I've decided to fit a Tube Screamer Mini onboard with the in/out switch being a mini toggle right by my right fingers. Will be great to switch from clean to "David Lindley" instantly. Will post pics when it's done.
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MCI Arlington S-10 3+5, George L E-66, BJS & Emmons bars, Fender Stage Lead II 100W 1x12, Fender Satellite SFX, custom FX rack, 1983 Dobro 60D, Martin D16GT, Ibanez AS73, 1978 Rickenbacker 4000 custom. |
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Glenn Wilde
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2019 12:20 am
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| The best part about budget instruments is the guilt free modding imo. |
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Craig Stenseth
From:
Naperville, Illinois, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2019 6:38 pm
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| How high does it stand with the legs adjusted all the way up? (might be cheaper than buying an additional stand!) |
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Mike Bacciarini
From:
Arizona
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Posted 10 Dec 2019 10:43 pm
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Craig, the legs take it from 26 1/2” all the way to 76” and I would say it’s fairly sturdy. At this point I’m only using it on my lap, but I’m glad it came with the legs and bag.
Finally built the Tube Screamer Mini into it. It’s great to switch it in or out with a flip of my fingers mid-song. Glenn you’re right about tearing into it without fear of destroying a priceless instrument!
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MCI Arlington S-10 3+5, George L E-66, BJS & Emmons bars, Fender Stage Lead II 100W 1x12, Fender Satellite SFX, custom FX rack, 1983 Dobro 60D, Martin D16GT, Ibanez AS73, 1978 Rickenbacker 4000 custom. |
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