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The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

#201
A misaligned neck can be easily remedied at home. Loosen the neck screws just slightly and then pull the headstock towards the E string side. This will pivot the neck in the pocket just slightly and should be enough to get the strings in line. Then retighten the neck screws. It’s highly unlikely that the neck pocket or any part of a bass cut and drilled primarily by CNC is going to be that out of alignment.
 
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#203
J Posega said:
A misaligned neck can be easily remedied at home. Loosen the neck screws just slightly and then pull the headstock towards the E string side. This will pivot the neck in the pocket just slightly and should be enough to get the strings in line. Then retighten the neck screws. It’s highly unlikely that the neck pocket or any part of a bass cut and drilled primarily by CNC is going to be that out of alignment.
Click to expand...

The tech is back in the shop tomorrow, so I should know then what the exact issue is and how/if it can be repaired. It's new so I ain't touching it myself :-)
 
#204
J Posega said:
It’s highly unlikely that the neck pocket or any part of a bass cut and drilled primarily by CNC is going to be that out of alignment.
Click to expand...

I'd probably go along with you on that assumption, were it not for the fact I work in a manufacturing plant that uses that type of equipment and our scrap bins still get pretty full.
That said, it could turn out to be something simple, but I don't purchase new basses to dick around with them myself. I'll find out tomorrow when the tech is back in the shop.
 
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#205
I’m looking for different strings - could someone who owns the new Mini P bass do me a favor and measure from where the ball end sits or the edge of the bridge, all the way up to the topside of the nut/bone.
 

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#206
GrahamNN3 said:
I’m looking for different strings - could someone who owns the new Mini P bass do me a favor and measure from where the ball end sits or the edge of the bridge, all the way up to the topside of the nut/bone.
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:roflmao: I went through the same issue. I ended up getting a set of Ibanez Mikro strings, plus a single .045 nickel roundwound G string. Because the Mikro G string is too short. All the others fit fine.

That being said, bottom of bridge to top of nut is 76.3 cm, and the center of the E tuner is 4 cm past the nut.

If you don't mind having the fat part of the string wrapped around the post (instead of just the taper), any short scale strings will work.

If you're like me, and want taper only on the post, Ibanez Mikro strings, minus the G string, are the only thing that will fit. You can find my posts on this on page 9.
 
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#208
GrahamNN3 said:
I’m looking for different strings - could someone who owns the new Mini P bass do me a favor and measure from where the ball end sits or the edge of the bridge, all the way up to the topside of the nut/bone.
Click to expand...

With Chromes all of the strings will fit except the E, which will not have any of the silk on the post. I'm putting them on anyway.... worst-case scenario they'll last only 5 years instead of 10 :-)
 
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#209
GrahamNN3 said:
I’m looking for different strings - could someone who owns the new Mini P bass do me a favor and measure from where the ball end sits or the edge of the bridge, all the way up to the topside of the nut/bone.
Click to expand...
Volker Kirstein said:
:roflmao: I went through the same issue. I ended up getting a set of Ibanez Mikro strings, plus a single .045 nickel roundwound G string. Because the Mikro G string is too short. All the others fit fine.

That being said, bottom of bridge to top of nut is 76.3 cm, and the center of the E tuner is 4 cm past the nut.

If you don't mind having the fat part of the string wrapped around the post (instead of just the taper), any short scale strings will work.

If you're like me, and want taper only on the post, Ibanez Mikro strings, minus the G string, are the only thing that will fit. You can find my posts on this on page 9.
Click to expand...
If anyone here is up for an experiment, the lowest 4 strings from the Ernie Ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) might also fit:
Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Extended Range Strings | Ernie Ball

I'm afraid I cannot guarantee that the lowest two strings taper where they should (between nut and tuning post). Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit on my guitar". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set (2684) does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set, and more importantly the 105, may as well.

Note that these are not coated, unlike the Ibanez IEBS4CMK, but are usually a couple bucks less, and widely available (for now, until the ultralow guitar fad lasts).
 
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#211
The mini P is repaired. As others suggested, by loosening the neck and adjusting it, the tech was able to line everything up. They thanked me for not doing it myself on a new instrument and apologized for letting the bass out like that. Apparently their two master techs are super busy so the regular staff has been setting up the cheaper instruments. They offered to replace the bass with another or take it back if I had any concerns at all, but I’m happy. Stuff happens.
 
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#212
MakoMan said:
The mini P is repaired. As others suggested, by loosening the neck and adjusting it, the tech was able to line everything up. They thanked me for not doing it myself on a new instrument and apologized for letting the bass out like that. Apparently their two master techs are super busy so the regular staff has been setting up the cheaper instruments. They offered to replace the bass with another or take it back if I had any concerns at all, but I’m happy. Stuff happens.
Click to expand...
Makoman, thanks for all of the advice on what to check on a new Mini. I received mine today and used your checklist to check out my new Mini in red. It is really a nice bass.
 
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#214
Regarding the string issue, I reached out to Curt Mangan a few weeks ago and asked if they would be willing/able to develop a custom set for this bass (longshot, but never hurts to ask). They were not interested at the time, but if they start getting e-mails asking is they can make a set for the Squire Mini Bass, they might see an opportunity and could be persuaded to do so. I figured that it would be more within the realm of possibility for someone like Curt as opposed to one of the "biggies". I don't have one yet, but when I do decide to pull the trigger, it would be nice to have a nice set of strings properly designed for this bass and the string-through body/scale length while eliminating the wraparound issue with the current setup.
 
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#215
JPJ said:
Regarding the string issue, I reached out to Curt Mangan a few weeks ago and asked if they would be willing/able to develop a custom set for this bass (longshot, but never hurts to ask). They were not interested at the time, but if they start getting e-mails asking is they can make a set for the Squire Mini Bass, they might see an opportunity and could be persuaded to do so. I figured that it would be more within the realm of possibility for someone like Curt as opposed to one of the "biggies". I don't have one yet, but when I do decide to pull the trigger, it would be nice to have a nice set of strings properly designed for this bass and the string-through body/scale length while eliminating the wraparound issue with the current setup.
Click to expand...
I just got my Mini today and it checks all the boxes except for string buzz. I think having strings made for the bass would take care of that issue. What is the Curt Mangan contact info so I can add my interest in getting a set of strings produced for this bass.
 
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#216
JPJ said:
Regarding the string issue, I reached out to Curt Mangan a few weeks ago and asked if they would be willing/able to develop a custom set for this bass (longshot, but never hurts to ask). They were not interested at the time, but if they start getting e-mails asking is they can make a set for the Squire Mini Bass, they might see an opportunity and could be persuaded to do so. I figured that it would be more within the realm of possibility for someone like Curt as opposed to one of the "biggies". I don't have one yet, but when I do decide to pull the trigger, it would be nice to have a nice set of strings properly designed for this bass and the string-through body/scale length while eliminating the wraparound issue with the current setup.
Click to expand...

what wind lengths and gauges did you ask for? i'll send an email.

i believe that strings that fit the mini P would also fit the mikro, a huge plus for me since i have 2.
 
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#217
I found some old long scale strings. Think they are Sunbeams and they feels like 045-105. The hole in the tuner is quite small so I had to unwrap a little on the E string. Otherwise no problem. Much tighter feel and less buzz when I dig in. (Didn’t adjust the truss rod, lowered the saddles only.)
Edit: Of course I don’t know if the neck and tuners can handle the tension in the long run...We’ll se:)
68F5BABD-10F6-4601-BFD1-A929D185E48E.jpeg
 
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#218
pcake said:
... i believe that strings that fit the mini P would also fit the mikro, a huge plus for me since i have 2.
Click to expand...
Indeed they would! I would love to get a set of flats.

But not vice versa... the stock Mikro G string is too short in total length. I used a plain ol' .045 nickel roundwound single string, and threw away the Mikro G.

On a side note, I wonder if a Mikro 5er set (toss the G) would fit. To make it a BEAD Mini P...
 
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#220
niels1 said:
I found some old long scale strings. Think they are Sunbeams and they feels like 045-105.[...]Of course I don’t know if the neck and tuners can handle the tension in the long run...
Click to expand...
Width of the neck: not unusually thin. Truss rod: present. Length of the neck: reduced (because of a reduced scale length, number of frets being equal), which makes it stiffer overall. Given the above, if the neck didn't handle the tension I'd be very surprised. Regarding the tuners, unless they are made of the vilest metal alloy they should too. :thumbsup:
 
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