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Squier Mini P vs Bronco Bass or 28.6" vs 30" Scale Basses

T

Toadcaster

Mar 20, 2022
67
90
#1
I am an old guy with a short attention span that will decide every once in a while to try and learn to play guitar or bass. I am way more drawn to the bass because that is was I focus on when listening to music.
Anyway, I've had that itch again over the last year and originally bought a Squier Jazz Bass but it just didn't seem comfortable to me (I dislocated my shoulder years ago and never regained full range of motion).
I then found a Bronco bass and it was a lot more comfortable to play, so, I sold the Jazz bass. I then started reading about the Mini P and Mikro basses and was intrigued but never bought one...until two days ago. I found a used red one for $149 with a gig bag at a local shop and decided to try it. It may look like a toy but it is way more comfortable to play and sounds a lot better than the Bronco. And, tonight I found a used black Mini P at the local GC for $109. I like these enough that I may sell the Bronco and just use the 28.6" scale basses.
Any of you find that the sub-short scale basses are becoming your preference?
 
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#2
I am going to buy a squier mini precision bass soon.

I already have a black bronco bass and it's fabulous.. no neck dive, great maple neck. I modded it tho so that's why it's so great. Ultralight tuners, dimarzio pickup, bass string through bridge.. bass turned out perfect and is a dream to play.

I like both the bronco and the mini precision bass so I plan to have both. If you aren't going to do any modding of the bass then go with the mini precision.. mini precision has better stock pickup and better stock hardware. Both are great basses to mod as well.
 
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#3
Razorhoney said:
I like both the bronco and the mini precision bass so I plan to have both. If you aren't going to do any modding of the bass then go with the mini precision.. mini precision has better stock pickup and better stock hardware. Both are great basses to mod as well.
Click to expand...

The Bronco that I have is definately a candidate for modding. The black Mini I picked up yesterday just really needs to have the fret sprout taken care of. It sounds quite a bit better than the Bronco and for an inexpensive bass is pretty nice. I can't spend much these days, so, these inexpensive basses with decent quality are great for people like me.
 
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#8
Toadcaster said:
I am an old guy with a short attention span that will decide every once in a while to try and learn to play guitar or bass. I am way more drawn to the bass because that is was I focus on when listening to music.
Anyway, I've had that itch again over the last year and originally bought a Squier Jazz Bass but it just didn't seem comfortable to me (I dislocated my shoulder years ago and never regained full range of motion).
I then found a Bronco bass and it was a lot more comfortable to play, so, I sold the Jazz bass. I then started reading about the Mini P and Mikro basses and was intrigued but never bought one...until two days ago. I found a used red one for $149 with a gig bag at a local shop and decided to try it. It may look like a toy but it is way more comfortable to play and sounds a lot better than the Bronco. And, tonight I found a used black Mini P at the local GC for $109. I like these enough that I may sell the Bronco and just use the 28.6" scale basses.
Any of you find that the sub-short scale basses are becoming your preference?
Click to expand...
I'm 70 years old and have been playing since 1973. I've played and own a variety of long scale instruments. I started using short scales a few years ago. I first purchased a Modern Player Jaguar (a real find) then I found a short scale Dan Electro longhorn - then I purchased a Mustang P/J which is fast becoming my go to bass. So yeah , short scales are becoming a very good choice for me.
 
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#9
If a used Squier Mini P-Bass is at $109 in a great condition, then that's a delicious steal meal for the deal.

Anyways, I already have both. I did some mods to each of them, as I saw each of them having valuable potentials as mod platforms. I had a local music store's luthier or repairs person convert them as fretless. The results were amazing. I've played at multiple gigs with them. Here are some photos and videos I can share.
FB_IMG_1672905287248.jpg

IMG_20220929_231530_414.jpg





But at the end of the day, it's on the hands, the fingers, the sound, and how comfortable it feels.

Stay strong bass players, be well!
 
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#11
Joel T said:
If a used Squier Mini P-Bass is at $109 in a great condition, then that's a delicious steal meal for the deal.

Anyways, I already have both. I did some mods to each of them, as I saw each of them having valuable potentials as mod platforms. I had a local music store's luthier or repairs person convert them as fretless. The results were amazing. I've played at multiple gigs with them. Here are some photos and videos I can share.
View attachment 4975753
View attachment 4975754




But at the end of the day, it's on the hands, the fingers, the sound, and how comfortable it feels.

Stay strong bass players, be well!
Click to expand...

I've been looking into both of these basses and found this thread and your videos. I love your lines and how you're locked in groove in "Feels Like Heaven". Solid playing! I'm also impressed with how much mwah you get from that fretless Bronco. Quite a solid tone with that pickup.
 
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#12
Winton said:
I've been looking into both of these basses and found this thread and your videos. I love your lines and how you're locked in groove in "Feels Like Heaven". Solid playing! I'm also impressed with how much mwah you get from that fretless Bronco. Quite a solid tone with that pickup.
Click to expand...

It's Pino Palladino that mostly inspired me to play fretless. Others inspiring influences include Sting (the Police), Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report), and Tony Franklin the "Fretless Monster". Playing the fretless can be fun. Thanks for the comment. Be well!
 
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#13
I've had my Mini P for two years. I absolutely love it! Had the fret sprout addressed and a general setup done. Some day I'll do pups and tuners. It sounds way better than any Bronco or Mustang that I've tried, but taste is subjective.

One of my favorite attributes of the Mini P is that young people seem to gravitate toward it. I've convinced my kiddo to start playing because of it. Quite a few nieces and nephews have picked it up and plinked around.
 
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#15
Here's another quick demo video of me having fun with my fretless Bronco Bass. I had a great set of GHS "pressure"-wound strings loaded on the bass. I definitely recommend these strings for fretless bass players that want at least a little bit of bright growls while preventing deep damages on the fingerboard. I've taken this bass to a bunch of gigs since I bought it in 2019. For this video, I was trying to cover the fretless bass solo part on the 1999 song "Rug" by Synsbedragerne, a music artist from Norway active until the early 2000s.


I also wanted to add the fact that I bought another Bronco Bass, used (2017 from the serial number) on eBay last year. I loaded a set of Optima golden (24K) bass strings. It's pretty much a "cheap" bass with "expensive" strings. The bridge seems to be modified, unless it was built by parts (as the Sonic Bronco basses have a standardized bridge). I might eventually replace it with a Hi-Mass bridge and a noiseless pickup if I have the money. I hope I can make more videos with my Bronco basses. I still have my fretless Mini P-Bass, still fun to play.
1724595130661.png
 
#17
What I do not love about sub-30 scale length bass is that string choice is *even more limited* than with "regular" shorties, though there are workarounds. 30/32/34 scale for me. :)

Though in your case, if the "minis" make playing more fun, please do use them! No need to prove to anyone anything. Enjoy learning/making music with your bass with no regard to what others would rather use. It certainly isn't fun to play with pain-use whatever is more practical for you.
 
#18
Toadcaster said:
I am an old guy with a short attention span that will decide every once in a while to try and learn to play guitar or bass. I am way more drawn to the bass because that is was I focus on when listening to music.
Anyway, I've had that itch again over the last year and originally bought a Squier Jazz Bass but it just didn't seem comfortable to me (I dislocated my shoulder years ago and never regained full range of motion).
I then found a Bronco bass and it was a lot more comfortable to play, so, I sold the Jazz bass. I then started reading about the Mini P and Mikro basses and was intrigued but never bought one...until two days ago. I found a used red one for $149 with a gig bag at a local shop and decided to try it. It may look like a toy but it is way more comfortable to play and sounds a lot better than the Bronco. And, tonight I found a used black Mini P at the local GC for $109. I like these enough that I may sell the Bronco and just use the 28.6" scale basses.
Any of you find that the sub-short scale basses are becoming your preference?
Click to expand...
I have 2 Mini Ps,a bum right shoulder and carpel tunnel in my left hand.I tried ''em all .Mini p is king.I defretted and moded both to my taste because I like fretless.These are fantastic to mod .I'm now building my own 28.6 scale Fretless shorties.Hope to turn into business.I call them J5000's.I Moded a Bronco but it still seemed to heavy.So now I make my own style 28.6 shorties.Lightweight an easey to play.
 
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