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Decision Paralysis - new short scale
- Thread starter OneNut
- Start date
Warmoth. Make the exact bass you want. If I were in the market, I'd just build a short scale G4.
I’m very happy with my modded Bronco Bass. If you are into simple modding they can be modded on the cheaper side.
Cost breakdown.
Bronco Bass new $200.
SD Hotrail pup $100.
Gotoh 201B bridge $45.
Gotoh 707 tuners $45.
Push/Push pot x2 and 2 cheap caps $25.
Miscellaneous (copper tape and wire) $10
Flatwound strings $30.
Total $455.
Here is is what mine looks like.
Here is what sounds like with some EQ from my DI/preamp and compression on the track in my DAW.
Just a bass demo track not mastered some flubs and my flats are still breaking in.
Pickup switched to parallel and a .22 cap selected and slightly rolled off treble.
It’s a one take track so don’t judge me to harshly.
Love the neck and vintage vibe of this bass.
In some ways I like this better than my 32” scale Warmoth jazz bass I made that cost 3 x as much to make.
Really wish I made this 1st, might of not felt the need to make the J bass.
Cost breakdown.
Bronco Bass new $200.
SD Hotrail pup $100.
Gotoh 201B bridge $45.
Gotoh 707 tuners $45.
Push/Push pot x2 and 2 cheap caps $25.
Miscellaneous (copper tape and wire) $10
Flatwound strings $30.
Total $455.
Here is is what mine looks like.
Here is what sounds like with some EQ from my DI/preamp and compression on the track in my DAW.
Just a bass demo track not mastered some flubs and my flats are still breaking in.
Pickup switched to parallel and a .22 cap selected and slightly rolled off treble.
It’s a one take track so don’t judge me to harshly.
Love the neck and vintage vibe of this bass.
In some ways I like this better than my 32” scale Warmoth jazz bass I made that cost 3 x as much to make.
Really wish I made this 1st, might of not felt the need to make the J bass.
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Have you scoped the local resale market? With mass-produced instruments like Fender that's where the value is IMO as long as you are diligent at making sure the instrument is in good shape before you buy...
Squier CV instruments can be absolutely killer for the money. Duds make it out there often enough at that price point, but since you have local stores that stock them you can try a few before you buy (or order from a shop that is good with returns)- make sure to check for neck straightness, twists, see that the truss rod nut moves, fret buzz, etc. One thing with them apart from occasional (often neck-related) quality-control issues is the weight can vary significantly- as much as 2-3 pounds for the same model. For the price, if you get a good example you can upgrade the electronics (I'd definitely upgrade the pots and jack, pickup is subjective as the stock ones sound good IMO), tuners (stock Squier tuners are never great, though they hold tune), and a custom paint job if you need to for less than a JMJ bass.
Of course what you get at that JMJ price apart from better resale value is nicer hardware (though you weren't impressed with the Hipshots), potentially nicer neck (subjective- many love the JMJ neck profile including myself, while the CV is more slim/svelte), maybe a better pickup (you said you couldn't notice much difference, it is somewhat subtle), cooler finish (you didn't like the relic thing, so that value would be lost on you). The Vintera II basses are very popular- I haven't had a chance to try one yet, but the arm contour on the body is a nice touch that none of the other new Mustangs have, nice finishes, apparently nice necks, etc.
The JMJ pickup won't be a direct drop-in on a CV bass without modding or swapping the pick guard as there are two different Mustang pickup lengths and the JMJ uses the larger one while the Squiers and Fender Vintera use the more common (and vintage-correct) smaller one (I believe the pole piece spacing of the JMJ is wider as well underneath the cover- there is only a single pole per string so this is actually pretty consequential on a Mustang pickup for string balance- read below on my experience). I wouldn't necessarily say the JMJ pickup is "better" sounding than the Squier pickup though- it is definitely wound hotter and so can tend to have a more aggressive output and midrange. The CV pickup is probably closer to a vintage Mustang pickup, both in the authentic size and winding specs. There are other aftermarket Mustang pickups to consider if you want to try something new that will be direct drop-in replacements in a CV Mustang, including the Nordstrand which has split poles per string like a P-bass and gets good reviews.
FWIW- my current Mustang is a mongrel consisting of an Olympic White CV Squier body (a particularly lightweight example I scored in the classifieds on TB, the whole bass is under 7 pounds), the CV bridge, a vintage Fender Musicmaster neck, Gotoh Reso-lite tuners, a JMJ pickguard and pickup, and some Hipshot barrel saddles to match up the string spacing with the pickup (with the CV bridge and JMJ pickup I had issues with a quiet E string til I was able to widen the spacing with the new saddles). The JMJ pickup is definitely growlier to my ears to the stock CV when I've compared them, but also a bit darker. I prefer the JMJ but could easily match them with some EQ
Squier CV instruments can be absolutely killer for the money. Duds make it out there often enough at that price point, but since you have local stores that stock them you can try a few before you buy (or order from a shop that is good with returns)- make sure to check for neck straightness, twists, see that the truss rod nut moves, fret buzz, etc. One thing with them apart from occasional (often neck-related) quality-control issues is the weight can vary significantly- as much as 2-3 pounds for the same model. For the price, if you get a good example you can upgrade the electronics (I'd definitely upgrade the pots and jack, pickup is subjective as the stock ones sound good IMO), tuners (stock Squier tuners are never great, though they hold tune), and a custom paint job if you need to for less than a JMJ bass.
Of course what you get at that JMJ price apart from better resale value is nicer hardware (though you weren't impressed with the Hipshots), potentially nicer neck (subjective- many love the JMJ neck profile including myself, while the CV is more slim/svelte), maybe a better pickup (you said you couldn't notice much difference, it is somewhat subtle), cooler finish (you didn't like the relic thing, so that value would be lost on you). The Vintera II basses are very popular- I haven't had a chance to try one yet, but the arm contour on the body is a nice touch that none of the other new Mustangs have, nice finishes, apparently nice necks, etc.
The JMJ pickup won't be a direct drop-in on a CV bass without modding or swapping the pick guard as there are two different Mustang pickup lengths and the JMJ uses the larger one while the Squiers and Fender Vintera use the more common (and vintage-correct) smaller one (I believe the pole piece spacing of the JMJ is wider as well underneath the cover- there is only a single pole per string so this is actually pretty consequential on a Mustang pickup for string balance- read below on my experience). I wouldn't necessarily say the JMJ pickup is "better" sounding than the Squier pickup though- it is definitely wound hotter and so can tend to have a more aggressive output and midrange. The CV pickup is probably closer to a vintage Mustang pickup, both in the authentic size and winding specs. There are other aftermarket Mustang pickups to consider if you want to try something new that will be direct drop-in replacements in a CV Mustang, including the Nordstrand which has split poles per string like a P-bass and gets good reviews.
FWIW- my current Mustang is a mongrel consisting of an Olympic White CV Squier body (a particularly lightweight example I scored in the classifieds on TB, the whole bass is under 7 pounds), the CV bridge, a vintage Fender Musicmaster neck, Gotoh Reso-lite tuners, a JMJ pickguard and pickup, and some Hipshot barrel saddles to match up the string spacing with the pickup (with the CV bridge and JMJ pickup I had issues with a quiet E string til I was able to widen the spacing with the new saddles). The JMJ pickup is definitely growlier to my ears to the stock CV when I've compared them, but also a bit darker. I prefer the JMJ but could easily match them with some EQ
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I have been check the resale options (FB, Kijiji, and the various retail stores). For the most part nothing shorty. My local L&M had a couple p/j Mustangs but they have some knocks on them that take them below that asking value imo.
As for the pickups, I thought you could get the SD Custom shop in both sizes, but I may have been confusing that with the Nordstrands. Pickguards I think are easy enough to deal with if that"s the way to go. Sounds like a very nice build that you've got there. Not sure of the weight but the CV that I was comparing to the JMJ was definitely lighter. Just wish more stores has stock to be able to feel things like weight.
I own both a Daphne blue JMJ and a surf green CV mustang. I love the JMJ but the CV is also excellent and really not that far off, sonically, from the JMJ. Nothing wrong with the CV hardware either. The CV has a narrower nut than the JMJ. I’m using a Tech21 VT pedal to tweak tone and see no need to change the CV pickups. BTW, not sure if you decided against the Vintera II , but the L+M in Belleville has a gorgeous competition burgundy Stang in stock.
At least in a store setting, I thought the JMJ and the CV were really close. Nice to hears that they are pretty close to each other from someone else. I don't think the nut difference will be that big of a deal for me. I originally would give a strong edge to the nitro finish on the neck of the JMJ, but the more I've tried the CV, the gloss poly isn't as bad as I initially thought.
I'd seen that Vintera II on the L+M website. The pricing bothers me a bit on it though - they are selling a demo for the same price as new (at least at current pricing).
I actually went to the L+M Belleville store to look at that one, it’s approx. 8 lbs and it’s discounted $200 but appears new like any of the other new ones on the rack. One more personal observation I found about my two Mustangs … after moving strings between the two I like the Labella MUS strings best on the CV , while the JMJ sounds better to me with Dadario rounds. I also play a precision and a Hofner but the Mustangs are taking over my preference.
Good luck with the quest !
Sound like a nice bass. But as it's on GearHunter, shipping is extra. As well, you can pre-order a new one with free shipping for the same price at the moment.
Bowmanville L&M had a nice selection of shorties, during the late summer. They were set up ok.
Newport, TMB, Sterling 30-32".
GL
More brain-spew:
The SBMM SS is a really nice bass. A bit heavy, not my tone and I have a hard time thinking about doing major pickup location mods to it. I know others might do, but I feel really reluctant.
So my options that I have to choose:
- buy a cheap bass (mikro, Bronco) - hope for good "bones" - mod the snot out of it.
- buy the CV Mustang. Maybe a light mod or two to make it "mine"
- explore higher end basses (Banshee, Sentinel, Nordy Cat, Vintera, JMJ, AP). Challenge at this point is that for this kind of money, I want to test before I buy to ensure that it's something I'd truly like. I touched a Vintera and JMJ and know they fit, but the rest are unknowns.
Part of the choice is to decide if I've just got FOMO for the expensive ones. I know the CV Mustang does the job and is the most value for the dollar.
The SBMM SS is a really nice bass. A bit heavy, not my tone and I have a hard time thinking about doing major pickup location mods to it. I know others might do, but I feel really reluctant.
So my options that I have to choose:
- buy a cheap bass (mikro, Bronco) - hope for good "bones" - mod the snot out of it.
- buy the CV Mustang. Maybe a light mod or two to make it "mine"
- explore higher end basses (Banshee, Sentinel, Nordy Cat, Vintera, JMJ, AP). Challenge at this point is that for this kind of money, I want to test before I buy to ensure that it's something I'd truly like. I touched a Vintera and JMJ and know they fit, but the rest are unknowns.
Part of the choice is to decide if I've just got FOMO for the expensive ones. I know the CV Mustang does the job and is the most value for the dollar.
About the Bronco:
The current Sonic series ones have perfectly fine tuners and bridges (unlike the previous Affinity ones) - no need to swap those!
The pickup sounds OK (if you like a lean, snappy tone), but is a bit noisy (even by single coil standards) - that's something I 'd definitely change; and the single ply stark white pickguard looks a bit cheap...
Other than that, all the Bronco needs is a bit of TLC for the neck (burnishing the rough finish on the back of the neck - 5 minutes rubbing up and down with the green side of a kitchen sponge will do it; maybe take a look at the nut slits), and it's a super-playable, light, lithe stage-ready bass!
I actually bought two - I wanted one in Tahitian Coral, but with a dark fretboard instead of maple - so I bought a second one in black, and swapped necks. Originally wanted to sell the black/maple one, but I'm having so much fun I'll probably get an EMG Geezer P pickup & new pickguard for that one!
The current Sonic series ones have perfectly fine tuners and bridges (unlike the previous Affinity ones) - no need to swap those!
The pickup sounds OK (if you like a lean, snappy tone), but is a bit noisy (even by single coil standards) - that's something I 'd definitely change; and the single ply stark white pickguard looks a bit cheap...
Other than that, all the Bronco needs is a bit of TLC for the neck (burnishing the rough finish on the back of the neck - 5 minutes rubbing up and down with the green side of a kitchen sponge will do it; maybe take a look at the nut slits), and it's a super-playable, light, lithe stage-ready bass!
I actually bought two - I wanted one in Tahitian Coral, but with a dark fretboard instead of maple - so I bought a second one in black, and swapped necks. Originally wanted to sell the black/maple one, but I'm having so much fun I'll probably get an EMG Geezer P pickup & new pickguard for that one!
Here are the caveats with the CV:
Mods could put it into the price range you're trying to avoid. I only changed the pickup. But if you change tuners, nut, and saddles, that could put you into Banshee or used Nordy territory.
You need medium scale strings to deal with the extra length through the body. You need at least 33.5" of speaking length. There are plenty of options out there, but it's something to be aware of.
The only real things I'd consider on a CV is maybe pickup and tuners. That could/should be able to be done for well under the uplift price to a Banshee (given local prices). The Nordy Cat is a hard one as shipping up to Canada tends to kill any deals on it that I've ever found. I've priced out the mods I would do to a Bronco and I can mod it out for the same price as buying a CV (assuming a do the work myself).
The medium scale stings are one thing under consideration about the Mustangs. I've got the GHS Balanced Nickels on my SBMM right now and I like them quite a bit. I know the speaking length is too short on the SS version and I think (but have to verify) that the long scale would work for the Mustangs.
While Birdsong's look good, them along with Serek and Maruszczyk are both outside of what I want to pay at this point in time. Dealing with exchange rates in a pain.
After a lot of self reflection, I said f'it because I'd always have wanted it if I bought something else.
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