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Oh My! CME exclusive shell pink Squier Bronco

#121
Weakness struck me hard before New Years Eve...
I was anxious they cease the production and was curious about the poplar as body wood, short: I simply could not resist:

Bronco_SHP_1.JPG

Arrived today and my first impression is: what a wonderful instrument. Nothing to complain. Even the pickup sounds completely fine. There is just one little imperfection in the neck I am wondering a bit, if it is something to worry about? Looks like a little knot in the wood, that goes from front to back.

Bronco_SHP_6.JPG Bronco_SHP_7.JPG Bronco_SHP_8.JPG

Otherwise everything feels perfect, the neck has a great shape, a bit broader than my Musicmaster necks, but the back of it stays more even and is slightly thinner. And of course it has 1 5/8" neckwidth, although it is spec'd since introduction 1998/9 with 1,5" ;-)... The weight with 7 lbs 4oz is perfect for me.
Completely happy.
 
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#126
matt-o- said:
Weakness struck me hard before New Years Eve...
I was anxious they cease the production and was curious about the poplar as body wood, short: I simply could not resist:

View attachment 4115141

Arrived today and my first impression is: what a wonderful instrument. Nothing to complain. Even the pickup sounds completely fine. There is just one little imperfection in the neck I am wondering a bit, if it is something to worry about? Looks like a little knot in the wood, that goes from front to back.

View attachment 4115177 View attachment 4115178 View attachment 4115179

Otherwise everything feels perfect, the neck has a great shape, a bit broader than my Musicmaster necks, but the back of it stays more even and is slightly thinner. And of course it has 1 5/8" neckwidth, although it is spec'd since introduction 1998/9 with 1,5" ;-)... The weight with 7 lbs 4oz is perfect for me.
Completely happy.
Click to expand...
~
I've been meaning to get that nut width spec fixed.

With only one email, I succeeded in getting the same spec corrected for the Squier Mini-P by communicating with a major retailer about their own website, and I think that they nudged Fender as I suggested that they do. - Some other large retailers still have not followed yet, last time I checked.

If I ever get my hands on one of these, I will only make a few changes :

1) Some kind of humbucker, maybe a blade or stack, if one can be had which fits the current opening of the pickguard, but there are plenty of other HBs, if I'm willing to do some cutting,

2) Better bridge [4 saddles, not 2],

3) Flatwound strings, either GHS Brite Flats [49-108], or LaBella Deep Talking Flats [43-104],

4) Tuners ? - Maybe, but I'll wait to see how accurate the stock ones are, and whether there is any neck dive.

Thanks for also posting the weight of yours, which is light enough for me, and lighter than most current Mustangs.
~
 
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#130
DavesnothereCA said:
If I ever get my hands on one of these, I will only make a few changes :

1) Some kind of humbucker, maybe a blade or stack, if one can be had which fits the current opening of the pickguard, but there are plenty of other HBs,

2) Better bridge [4 saddles, not 2],

3) Flatwound strings, either GHS Brite Flats [49-108], or LaBella Deep Talking Flats [43-104].

Thanks for also posting the weight of yours, which is light enough for me, and lighter than most current Mustangs.
~
Click to expand...

I may leave this bass, which is my second ever new bass I bought, in stock state. The pickup is astonishingly full sounding. I used to swap these as fast as possible before, but in this case, I will keep it for the next future.

Every strat size humbucker will fit in the opening, unless they are too square at the sides, as my favoured Lace Sensor alumitone is. I once had a DiMarzio ProTrack in a musicmaster bass, but did not like the sound in the long run. I am staying with clearer pickups now, especially with tapewounds (where I prefer the dAddario ETBs).

I like to play intervals up the neck and have arranged with the two saddle bridge pretty well lately. Before I used to swap the bridge with a Hipshot Vintage.

The blue and the pink Bronco both have a similar weight, but my other Bronco basses were all in the 8 lbs range.
There is some unpredictable variation in the production.
 
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#131
matt-o- said:
I may leave this bass, which is my second ever new bass I bought, in stock state. The pickup is astonishingly full sounding. I used to swap these as fast as possible before, but in this case, I will keep it for the next future.

Every strat size humbucker will fit in the opening, unless they are too square at the sides, as my favoured Lace Sensor alumitone is. I once had a DiMarzio ProTrack in a musicmaster bass, but did not like the sound in the long run. I am staying with clearer pickups now, especially with tapewounds (where I prefer the dAddario ETBs).

I like to play intervals up the neck and have arranged with the two saddle bridge pretty well lately. Before I used to swap the bridge with a Hipshot Vintage.

The blue and the pink Bronco both have a similar weight, but my other Bronco basses were all in the 8 lbs range

There is some unpredictable variation in the production.
Click to expand...
~
This is all valuable information - thanks ! :thumbsup:
~
 
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#132
WI Short Scaler said:
I have to admit I never understood the appeal of the pink basses, but individuality is great. Not everyone likes my airbrushed MM body either so it's all good.
Click to expand...
Maybe upcoming senility... ;-) usually I prefer just plain black, red or blue ones.
As I have mutilated in my youth my first basses with color spray for cars, I have decided then to restrain my ambitions in this direction...
 
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#133
matt-o- said:
Maybe upcoming senility... ;-) usually I prefer just plain black, red or blue ones.
As I have mutilated in my youth my first basses with color spray for cars, I have decided then to restrain my ambitions in this direction...
Click to expand...

It was a long process for sure, and not something I want to attempt again. I don't have the patience for it.
 
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#134
matt-o- said:
Never. I bought it from a guy, who disliked the pale neck. Originally it was a standard red bronco. Now lacquered blue body and tinted neck. Very nice as well. Though I admired today the satin feeling of the new Bronco.
Click to expand...
The neck on my Bronco is so pale it's ridiculous. I wish I knew how to tint the neck. As soon as I get an amp I'll put the stock pickup back in, the sound was nice and clear and hopefully I can live with the hum.
 
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#135
andare said:
The neck on my Bronco is so pale it's ridiculous. I wish I knew how to tint the neck. As soon as I get an amp I'll put the stock pickup back in, the sound was nice and clear and hopefully I can live with the hum.
Click to expand...
I have noticed today, that I like the satin finish of the neck really much, especially on the fret side. Yes, it is very pale, but this is maple. I always had a soft spot for maple necks, although over the years I noticed, that I preferred the fretboard feeling of rosewood. The tinted lacquered neck is nice (for looks), but the feeling of the fretboard is much nicer with the satin finish. So you have to decide for playing or looks. As the neck of my new Bronco is so extremely nice gripwise, it makes the pale neck look beautiful!
It is really odd, how it takes just 3 seconds, when you take the instrument for the first time, to notice definitely, if you like it or not.

The hum of single coils is annoying, but usually you can find an orientation with significant less hum by turning around 90 degrees and listening for the direction with the least hum pick-up.
 
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#138
Meanwhile the pickup is changed for a mojopickups goldfoil: simply a great sound I like.
I noticed meanwhile a manufacturing flaw: the bridge is mounted 5mm closer to the neck than on a usual Bronco Bass. As the intonation for the stock 95 string is just sufficiently adjustable (not yet pictured), there is no more space for the intonation of a thicker string. In this case I would have to move the bridge backwards... :-(
Also I had to replace the adjustment screw from the saddles, as the material was too soft and worn out after a few adjustments. But apart from these minor griefs it's my second favourite bass at the moment after my black musicmaster. Always love to take it into my hands.

Bronco_SHP_bk_gf2.JPG
 
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#139
matt-o- said:
Meanwhile the pickup is changed for a mojopickups goldfoil: simply a great sound I like.
I noticed meanwhile a manufacturing flaw: the bridge is mounted 5mm closer to the neck than on a usual Bronco Bass. As the intonation for the stock 95 string is just sufficiently adjustable (not yet pictured), there is no more space for the intonation of a thicker string. In this case I would have to move the bridge backwards... :-(
Also I had to replace the adjustment screw from the saddles, as the material was too soft and worn out after a few adjustments. But apart from these minor griefs it's my second favourite bass at the moment after my black musicmaster. Always love to take it into my hands.

View attachment 4208344
Click to expand...
Beautiful!
 
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