• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Squier Bronco Modding Questions

P

powerkilse

Nov 17, 2020
13
11
#1
Dear all,

I recently purchased a used Squier Bronco for my first ever modding project and I would like to get some input from you people about
whether the changes are doable or if I should take another route for this. I would like to install an Artec Bass MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup
(Artec Bass Guitar MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup).

I know that I would have to make changes to the pickguard and probably to the body as well, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. The question that I have is, should I change the pot and capacitor as well? Or should I just go with the cool rail pickup that is recommended everywhere else?

As tuners I thought of the Schaller M4, I haven't found a bridge yet that is easy to purchase (I live in Germany and I don't want to go through the hassle with customs, etc. when buying from overseas). I would greatly appreciate your opinion. Thanks a lot in advance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EatS1stBassist and Astronaut
#3
The standard upgrade for a Bronco/MusicMaster bass is to use a Strat rails pickup, since the bass has a Mustang guitar pickup as stock. For clean, use something like a Seymour Duncan Cool Rails bridge position. For more mid push, use something like a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup for a little push, or a Hot Rails bridge pickup for more mid push. Use the stock 250 kohm pots.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EatS1stBassist, thetragichero, Ultradust and 2 others
#4
redstrand said:
I’m a fan of changing the pots when putting a new pickup in something. The stock ones in the Bronco aren’t worth keeping. The guy that modded my Bronco had a hard time finding a bridge too.
Click to expand...
Here's the bridge I use to upgrade the two-saddle narrow space bridges. It is inexpensive, easy to install, and most importantly, has good intonation and sustain. I'm using one on the bass I am taking to my band's annual Mexico tour in February.
4 String Bass Bridge For Bass Guitar L Shape Saddle 18mm Spacing Chrome 634458184885 | eBay
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
  • Like
Reactions: Kubicki Fan
#6
Pot values and tapers are a fun experiment, and not a very expensive thing to do. Pots can be removed and saved for future experiments.
For humbuckers, I typically like to at least get a higher value pot for the tone pot. For a fairly low wind humbucker like you posted, a 250K linear volume and 500K audio pot is a good start. The higher value tone pot gives you a little extra sparkle up top. Tone pots can be rolled back for darker tones, that 500K pot on 7 will sound like a 250K on 10. My go to bass tone cap is .047uF. Those are also cheaply experimented with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 365158
#9
I installed a Strat-sized Musiclily dual rail humbucker pickup in my Bronco and it made a big difference. I kept the stock control wiring, as it seemed appropriate for a bass humbucker. Minimum modification and cost: $12.

The Bronco has a surprisingly large pickup route in the body, and you probably won't need to enlarge it for the Artec humbucker. You will need to either cut a new opening in the pickguard, but if you're doing a mod, why not make your own custom pickguard as well?

I highly recommend shielding the pickup and control cavities as there's nothing there now. It will improve the noise floor regardless of what pickup you use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo and Dan_reeves
#12
powerkilse said:
Dear all,

I recently purchased a used Squier Bronco for my first ever modding project and I would like to get some input from you people about
whether the changes are doable or if I should take another route for this. I would like to install an Artec Bass MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup
(Artec Bass Guitar MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup).

I know that I would have to make changes to the pickguard and probably to the body as well, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. The question that I have is, should I change the pot and capacitor as well? Or should I just go with the cool rail pickup that is recommended everywhere else?

As tuners I thought of the Schaller M4, I haven't found a bridge yet that is easy to purchase (I live in Germany and I don't want to go through the hassle with customs, etc. when buying from overseas). I would greatly appreciate your opinion. Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...

get one of these instead ... DiMarzio Model 1 DP 120

dimarzio_dp120.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kubicki Fan and redstrand
#13
Not everyone replaces the tuners, but on mine I swapped out the stock tuners for Gotoh GB11's. You will need to enlarge the holes a little, but not a lot. They are way better than the stock tuners, at least on my Bronco.
 
#14
The body has a big enough rout to accept that pickup. You just need a new guard, or to modify your stock one.

You can use the stock pots if you like warmer bass tones. If you want to have a lot of high end e.q on tap, I would go to 500 KOhm or 1 MOhm pots.

Re: tuners, I think that no matter what, you'll have to modify the head, so you can pretty much choose whichever ones you'd like. Not sure of any quality aftermarket ones that have shafts that narrow.
 
Last edited:
#15
This is a Bronco I used to have. I put in an inexpensive musicman style pickup, and made a custom mirrored pick guard. It sounded pretty good. I opted for a volume, with no tone pot.

The existing body route is quite large, but I had to do a bit of chiseling to open it up slightly. The pickup you have in mind should fit.

The previous owner had converted the neck to fretless and changed the tuners.

I ended up parting it out. Im just not a short scale guy.
20210121_191930.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: powerkilse and redstrand
#16
I put an Artec dual rail Stratocaster humbucker with alnico magnets. Didn't like the sound at all, both in series and parallel. It was very muddy and sounded almost distorted at times.

I'm using the stock pickup now and it's much clearer is somewhat weak in the bass. Amp EQ helps but ultimately all my basses sound similar to their unplugged sound and the Bronco has a specific quality that i heard with both pickups, with rounds and now flats. I like it just for that.

I'm almost sure the stock pots are 500k so perfect for humbuckers
 
#17
abarson said:
I installed a Strat-sized Musiclily dual rail humbucker pickup in my Bronco and it made a big difference. I kept the stock control wiring, as it seemed appropriate for a bass humbucker. Minimum modification and cost: $12.

The Bronco has a surprisingly large pickup route in the body, and you probably won't need to enlarge it for the Artec humbucker. You will need to either cut a new opening in the pickguard, but if you're doing a mod, why not make your own custom pickguard as well?

I highly recommend shielding the pickup and control cavities as there's nothing there now. It will improve the noise floor regardless of what pickup you use.
Click to expand...
BTW new Broncos are perfectly shielded from the factory. All current Squiers are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kubicki Fan and Jared Houseman
#18
powerkilse said:
Dear all,

I recently purchased a used Squier Bronco for my first ever modding project and I would like to get some input from you people about
whether the changes are doable or if I should take another route for this. I would like to install an Artec Bass MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup
(Artec Bass Guitar MVBC4 Humbucker Pickup).

I know that I would have to make changes to the pickguard and probably to the body as well, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. The question that I have is, should I change the pot and capacitor as well? Or should I just go with the cool rail pickup that is recommended everywhere else?

As tuners I thought of the Schaller M4, I haven't found a bridge yet that is easy to purchase (I live in Germany and I don't want to go through the hassle with customs, etc. when buying from overseas). I would greatly appreciate your opinion. Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...
I put one of those Artecs in my bronco and wired in series it sounds great with plenty of volume. I used a push pull pot on the tone to switch between series and parallel.
 
#19
Great answers so far, the Artec should more than suffice in the output department.

And I agree with what iiipopes said, even just a bridge-position SD Cool Rails for Strats can be an excellent drop-in replacement humbucking pickup with plenty of girth and oomph for most applications. I had Hot Rails with 500k push-push pot that splits the coil in my old Bronco, although everything has since been moved over to the 34" scale Bronconstein Monster shown below with ABM-style "Eliminator" control plate.

It actually sounds best with the rail split + on full volume, even though when running both rails w/volume at around 6 it is a decent "overwound Precision" tone that is a lot of fun. Anything above that is waaaaay too hot and you get an explosive signal overdriving whatever follows it.

DSC03941_zps11a1d901.jpg

The cheapo stock Bronco tuners are the other thing. Before gutting the thing two of the machine heads ended up with stripped gears after a few years using flatwounds (was surprised they gave out before even the neck started to warp on me), and the bass as a whole benefitted from having some Grovers installed, regardless of the added weight they brought.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Seanmo, claudel, Matt Liebenau and 1 other person
#20
Ultradust said:
Great answers so far, the Artec should more than suffice in the output department.

And I agree with what iiipopes said, even just a bridge-position SD Cool Rails for Strats can be an excellent drop-in replacement humbucking pickup with plenty of girth and oomph for most applications. I had Hot Rails with 500k push-push pot that splits the coil in my old Bronco, although everything has since been moved over to the 34" scale Bronconstein Monster shown below with ABM-style "Eliminator" control plate.

It actually sounds best with the rail split + on full volume, even though when running both rails w/volume at around 6 it is a decent "overwound Precision" tone that is a lot of fun. Anything above that is waaaaay too hot and you get an explosive signal overdriving whatever follows it.

View attachment 4137811
The cheapo stock Bronco tuners are the other thing. Before gutting the thing two of the machine heads ended up with stripped gears after a few years using flatwounds (was surprised they gave out before even the neck started to warp on me), and the bass as a whole benefitted from having some Grovers installed, regardless of the added weight they brought.
Click to expand...


A lace sensor is also a nice pickup, I have one set aside for when I finally get my Badtz Maru bronco...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Volker Kirstein, matt-o-, andare and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back