New Project: Modding A Bronco Into A Mustang

[ejaggers]

I’ve started my project and am making progress. I don’t have any pics yet but will supply some later. This project is more expensive than I had hoped, especially if I do everything that I want to do. Here’s where I am so far:

· Red Bronco Bass - CL

· Mustang metal control plate – ebay

· Mustang pickup – ebay

· Mustang pickguard – local luthier custom made and came out perfect ( Thanks to TBer pudge who donated a PG for me to use as a template. That was a big help.)

· Mustang bridge - ( Thanks to TBer pudge who I bought it from.)


Things I still need:

· Tuners - My pipe dream is to go with Lollipop tuners but I really don’t want to spend that much on Hipshots. If anyone knows where I can find some that don’t cost an arm/leg please let me know. Coming down to earth, I’m searching TB classified/ebay daily for some clover leaf. I’m finding Squier’s and Chinese one in my budget on ebay. I’m open for suggestions from TBers so please chime in.

· A new Nut

· Competition strip

· Neck tinted

· MG Headstock decal

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[ejaggers]

Got some pics of my Bronco to Mustang project in the works:



The PG came out almost perfect, and it sounds amazing with the MG pup.
I've got lollipop tuners and MG knobs on order.
I'm having the bridge installed today.
So what say you about a racing strip?
Yeah on Nay?

Posting question: I get alerts on other peoples posted that I enter, so how do I set that on my threads?

 

[canuckshort]

I don't know if I would bother with the racing stripe it looks pretty good as is. In fact, there is a Bronco for sale on my local Kijiji.....hmmmmmm. Good job.

 

[ejaggers]

Thanks canuckshort, but I'm just getting started.

The next thing on my list is to install my Mustang bridge, which I'm going to have done. Any idea what's a fair price for this?

 

[MakoMan]

Looks great! Dang, I almost wish now I had kept my Bronco LOL!
Considering you can add the racing stripe with ordinary shelf liner for practically free, I'd go ahead and do it. If you don't like it you can peel it right off

 

[Blaargh]

I would have gone with a white pearl pickguard and a white racing stripe, and probably a P (or maybe even a Thunderbird) pickup. But it's damn cool. I want it.

 

[Ben B]

Looks real good. At one time I had considered getting a cheap, used bronco and modding it. But as you wrote "This project is more expensive than I had hoped". That was my fear too, so, I never went through with it.

 

[ejaggers]

MakoMan, Ben B, and Blaargh Thanks for you comments.

MakoMan: I'm undecided about a stripe but that's down the road anyway. I'll probably setup a poll when I get there, which will the final step.

Blaargh: I generally don't care for pearloid PG's, but I like the TB pup idea. I also thought about a T-40 pup. Now that would be really cool.

Ben B: I turned a Bronco into a Musicmaster which was kind of pricey as well, but ended up being one of my favorite basses. Bottmline, it's worth it, and I hope the Mustang comes out as successful when done.
Here it is standing next to it's new baby brother:

 

[fermata]

Nice work! Did you custom-make the pickguard so the control plate extends down far enough to cover the routing? Also, will the Mustang bridge maintain the current narrow string spacing?

 

[brettus1963]

Looking good.
When you get to the tuners, can you post which ones (make/model etc) you're using.
My 'E' string tuner snapped and I'm looking for a 'drop in' tuner to replace them on my bronco.
Cheers

 

[fermata]

3/8 inch Hipshot Ultralights should work, although the hole will need to be slightly widened. SportHiTech sells Hipshot Licensed tuner sets for around $65.

Also, check out this comprehensive guide to Bronc modding: Invalid Link Removed

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Nice work! What did you use to tint the neck on the Bronco-Musicmaster? Are you going to use the same approach on the Bronco-Mustang?

Looking good.
When you get to the tuners, can you post which ones (make/model etc) you're using.
My 'E' string tuner snapped and I'm looking for a 'drop in' tuner to replace them on my bronco.
Cheers

If you just want a stock one, let me know. I've got 3 from my Bronco-Duo Sonic makeover (one was stripped when I picked up the Bronco.)

 

[Justice]

I turned a beat up Squier Bronco into a beat up "Fender" Bronco, lol .. I think I have $78 invested (including the bass) only because I cut down an older set up GHS Booners to fit and have not installed new strings yet... fun bass

NBD - Squier Bronco Bass rescue

 

[ejaggers]

fermata: I had a local luthier create the PG about an inch longer. This is way more challenging than the above MM. The bridge is a stock MG bridge with smaller spacing than a BC.

brettus1963: I got these but they are not drop in, I will have to use a step drill bit to make them fit. That's what I did on the MM, and since I don't have a drill press, I did it by hand slow and steady.
HB2 Lollypop > Store > Hipshot Products.

Bugeyed Earl: I used ACE H/W polyurethane 1037795 clear semi gloss. I really hadn't intended on tinting it, it just came out that way when I finished. Actually I wanted it tinted so I was pleased. I screwed up and painted the fretts too. I won't make that mistake again.

 

[Pocket4]

Outside of your budget and plan, I would be interested in the nordstrand or the aero replacement pup on the bronco. Not sure if these are single coil, but same dimensions

 

[brettus1963]

Hey Bugeyed Earl. PM sent.

 

[Goy77]

I would like one of thos PG made for my Bronco, could I send you money and have you contact the luthier?

 

[Mr.Fingers]

Gotoh makes lollipop tuners (FB30LP). Not terribly expensive, but "good quality comes at a price". However take note that tuners for the Mustang Bass (as are the coronado) are smaller tuners than those found on the Jazz Bass (for which the FB30LP) are meant.

(Vintage Coronado/Mustang)

Gotoh FB30LP (Jazz Bass)

 

[ejaggers]

The project continues. I have two wiring harnesses (250K & 500K) with pup and ground connecters so I can interchange PG's from the black body to red and vice versa, and also change from warm to bright with the harness.
I also have one original Bronco PG in tact, and the aged one cut to fit the Mustang control plate.

I probably should have taken the aged PG to the luthier that made the mustang PG because I'm not satified with it.
Maybe I will have one made in the future because, as you guys know, I'm a Mod-A-Holic and can't leave well enough alone.

I have added hipshot lollipop tuners to the Mustang and will soon paint the headstock red, then I'll add the mustang decal.

At the end, I will have a Musicmaster, Mustang, and a Brostang. If anybody has a black Bronco PUP cover you can donate , I sure would appreciate it, and will gladly pay shipping.
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[ejaggers]

My 1969 Fender Competition Mustang Replica project is finally completed!!!!

Here are the Specs:

o Torino Red 2016 Bronco Neck & Body and wiring harness
o Custom painted headstock by Eddie at Beshear's paint & Body
o Fender Mustang decal
o Hipshot lite lollipop tuners
o Custom pickguard by luthier Don Bell
o Fender Mustang pickup
o Fender Mustang control plate and knobs
o Fender Mustang thru-body bridge Thanks to TBer pudge
o Fender F neck plate
o Mustang competition racing stripe
o GHS Bright Flats
o Retained all Squier serial number info on back of neck



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