I've looked through some comments but am a bit overwhelmed. I really like the neck on this bass and the feel of it. However, the pick up is weak, and it does not stay in tune properly. Recommendations for new pick up and tuners, please. As you know, this is an inexpensive bass, so I don't want to put a lot of money into it. Thanks.
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Squire Bronco bass upgrade
- Thread starter jpowell
- Start date
I'm also upgrading a Bronco. I went for the Big Sis pickup here: Sentell Pickups bass guitar pickups Not the cheapest but it is hand wound and should be a vast improvement from the 6 pole pickup that came stock. I also decided to just get a whole new P bass harness since i'm going in there. I haven't received the pickup yet so I'll report back after the install.
As for the tuning machines, that's my next project. It appears that we may need to ream out the holes to accommodate new tuners. Again, I''l keep ya posted as to what I find out.
Also if you change the bridge for any reason the string spacing is 17mm. I got a Hipshot vintage w/ 17mm spacing on the way.
As for the tuning machines, that's my next project. It appears that we may need to ream out the holes to accommodate new tuners. Again, I''l keep ya posted as to what I find out.
Also if you change the bridge for any reason the string spacing is 17mm. I got a Hipshot vintage w/ 17mm spacing on the way.
Also. these string made a huge difference:
Rotosound RS88S Tru Bass 88 Black Nylon Tapewound Short Scale Bass Strings
Rotosound RS88S Tru Bass 88 Black Nylon Tapewound Short Scale Bass Strings
I used a dual coil dual blade humbucking pickup made for a Stratocaster guitar. I bought it on Amazon for less than $15 and it works fine with no noise. It took a little bit of work to put the pickup through the pickguard hole but it can be done. I've used that pickup on a couple of Bronco projects...
The top one has a 4 saddle Musicmaster bass bridge I bought online several years ago. It also has a Mustang neck with Gotoh GB350 Res-O-Lite tuners that fit the Mustang neck tuner holes well enough.
The top one has a 4 saddle Musicmaster bass bridge I bought online several years ago. It also has a Mustang neck with Gotoh GB350 Res-O-Lite tuners that fit the Mustang neck tuner holes well enough.
Man, that top bass looks so rad! The neck on the Bronco is pretty good. I'm curious why you opted for the Mustang neck? Was it an easy fit?
Thanks.
It's a CIJ Mustang Bass neck and I used it because I like the profile, nut width and I prefer a rosewood fingerboard. A bonus was it easily fit the neck pocket.
I recently made another Bronco mashup not shown in the picture that has a Squier SS Jaguar Bass neck. That one is currently my favorite if the three because the neck has my favorite profile. The SS Jag neck also easily fit the neck Bronco pocket.
My philosophy is the complete opposite.
Since it is a cheap bass, parts are cheap, and easily found, I went mod crazy.
I’ve modded two Bronco’s to the point that they don’t look like Bronco’s anymore.
Both Bronco’s are worth every penny because I’m not concerned with resale.
If a bass feels good, and the neck is sweet, I don’t care if it’s a Bronco or a AM Pro Fender.
If resale is your issue, don’t mod it at all, the Bronco is a decent bass as is.
As far as tuners, my first bass needed a setup.
But as a kid I didn't know anything about setups.
So, I was constantly tuning because it wasn't intonated properly.
I’ve got four Squier’s and they all stay in tune.
Maybe I’m lucky, because none of them actually needed tuners,
Even though I replaced some for aesthetics.
But I used Hipshot Lollipop's on one with 3/8” shafts.
These will fit w/o drilling the neck to make the holes bigger.
057912
I have the Dragon Fire dou rail pickup in this one with a Hipshot bridge. I put the cover on because the bridge has sharp edges that bug me when I am palm muting. I use Chrome shorts and this little bass does the Fender with flats thing better than my P-bass. Stock Tuners which seem to work fine. After a little fret dressing and these upgrades this is my go to short scale.
I've got a similar staying in tune issue with a Mitchell Bass I bought while on sale.
I'm thinking of getting a set of Hipshot tuners for it.
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I honestly think it's much more likely that the tuning stability is caused by a nut with poorly cut string slots. Proper cutting of those holes, making sure they're just wide enough not to grab the strings and prevent them from sliding freely, and adding a bit of graphite lubricant (or any kind of nut lube product from a music store) will possibly solve the tuning issues.
I could be wrong, of course, but the tuners on the bronco I have here don't have any issues, and it stays in tune fine, although one of the first things I did with it was to improve the nut slot cuts.... so could be why it's ok.
pickup is fine but I wish it was humbucking. I'm currently doing one of my craigslist tricks - looking for a really cheap strat style guitar with a rails pickup in it so I can swap out the pickups - since the bronco pickup is a ceramic strat pickup iirc and it'll go just fine in any cheap strat style guitar..
I could be wrong, of course, but the tuners on the bronco I have here don't have any issues, and it stays in tune fine, although one of the first things I did with it was to improve the nut slot cuts.... so could be why it's ok.
pickup is fine but I wish it was humbucking. I'm currently doing one of my craigslist tricks - looking for a really cheap strat style guitar with a rails pickup in it so I can swap out the pickups - since the bronco pickup is a ceramic strat pickup iirc and it'll go just fine in any cheap strat style guitar..
Here you go:
New Project: Modding A Bronco Into A Mustang
Bronco Musicmaster Project 99% complete
I agree will Kelley, it's probably not the tuners.
057912
+1 I did the same thing with two Broncos. I like the profile of the SS Jag neck better than the Bronco as well.
I modded mine with a Fender Fidelitron pickup ($55 new), Korean made lollipop tuners ($45 used), Hipshot Vintage bridge ($75 new), Custom B/W/B pickguard ($35), CTS pots, and Switchcraft jack. It’s a killer little bass now.
It's an old thread but still... Where did you get that 4 saddle Musicmaster bass bridge from?
