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Squier's neck playability: Bronco vs Jag SS

H

historyprof

Jun 14, 2011
7
0
#1
Hi guys, I have just entered a rather similar post hours ago but it doesn't seem to show up on the forum. I was asking about the playability and craftsmanship of the Squier Bronco Bass. I am a owner of the VM jazz and CV precision and am now interested in trying out a short scale bass for its unique tone. I rather like the look of the bronco and was wondering if it's any good.

I know that the bronco is under the affinity series which means the quality is poorer. Does anyone here have experience with the bronco and how does it compare in terms of playability (comfort and quality of the neck) with the Jag SS. I'm not that worried about the pickups and tuners because they can be changed.

Thanks!
 
#2
Both the Bronco and Jag SS have their fans here. I love my Jag, but I have to admit that part of the reason I bought one is because I liked the neck on the Bronco that I tried at GC. I didn't like the sound and knew that the single coil pickup would not work in at least one place that played in. So the Jag SS is perfect for me, but I'm sure that if you like one of these, you'd find the neck just fine on the other. I think the $20 for the two pickups (especially the split coil one), nicer styling, and better color choice is more than worth it.
 
#3
Well, the Affinity series just means that it's less expensive and not necessarily of poor quality. The tuners could be upgraded but work OK. Certainly the pickup in a Bronco is not of the highest quality but it does have a unique sound that I happen to like. The rest of the bass is really pretty good. The neck feels and plays great. I did put a Musicmaster replacement bridge on mine but looking at the saddles (the E and A are about even as well as the D and G) the stock bridge would have worked just fine. I haven't played the Jag SS.
 
#4
I have a jag ss. Played the bronco in the store. I like rosewood so I like the jag but the bronco is a fine shorty. Not that much difference between the two but I think the jag is by far the best value for reasons other than the neck.
 
#5
So the neck feel quite the same? As comfortable as VM jazz? I've play quite a few affinity basses and bullet strat and their necks are really rough and poorly built. Will the bronco have the same problem?

I quite like to get a black bronco and mod it!
 
#6
historyprof said:
So the neck feel quite the same? As comfortable as VM jazz? I've play quite a few affinity basses and bullet strat and their necks are really rough and poorly built. Will the bronco have the same problem?

I quite like to get a black bronco and mod it!
Click to expand...

I played a Bronco in a music store last week, I didn't see any problems with the neck.

The quality as noted is about the bottom but for 150 bucks that's what you are going to get it won't be a Sadowsky, but you know that already. But I actually liked it, and I saw no problems with the neck of that you seem worried about.
 
#7
I have both a SS Jag and the SS bronco. They each have their place and I really like both of them. The necks are very similar with the Jag being rosewood and the bronco being maple so you'd get a slightly different tone from each if they had the same electronics - which they don't.
I bought the Bronco used for $75 with the intent to hotrod (will probably do that in the next couple of months). I bought the Jag for about $175 new. Probably could have found one for under $150 used if bothered to look.
The necks and playability on both are excellent and easily comparable to any Fender MIM and some MIAs that I own and have played. I'm really digging the short scale from a weight and ergonomics standpoint, and so far I really haven't found any down sides in the SS line up, other than the lack of a 5 string model, which is what I normally play.

BTW the Bronco mods are not necessary, it sounds great off the rack with a very agressive single coil grind, pronounced mids and brite highs, could use more bottom end, but that's what the Jag is for. The Precision pickup on the Jag hangs right in there with my 1968 Fender precision with no problem, really puts out the bottom end. The jazz bridge pickup on my Jag will be replaced with something hotter, the original is much to quiet compared to the neck pickup. I'll probably drop a Kent Armstrong lipstick pickup in the bridge position to really give it the look and sound it needs.
 

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