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The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club
- Thread starter sabre79
- Start date
Hmm, what about this?
The E String has nearly one full revolution of full diameter post-silk around the post. With flats.
Understood, and you are lucking out. Some flats will work. But we don't want to say Most flats will work. Many flats are too brittle for this.
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Now it may or may not matter, but let me seek one clarification :
OK, you are cutting the full diameter part of the [mainly E] string, but are you starting with a long scale string or a short scale string ?
Though I myself will not do it, some folks are willing to wrap perhaps one complete turn of the full diameter part of a short scale E string around the tuning post [as in RodRy's pic], and some brands of strings are wound sufficiently short so as to allow this without any cutting, for anybody for who is more comfortable with the risk of doing this than the risk of trying to cut the full diameter portion.
Also, some folks would consider putting a string extender [metal nuts, washers, or a tube] over the ball end of the E string [which I and some friends have done without issue on other basses, occasionally over the years], so that the problem which we are trying to address here will not even happen for many brands of regular short scale E strings on a Mini-P bass.
One last comment [ for now
] is that round core bass strings are much more likely to suffer separation of the windings from the core [than hex core] when cut, even in the silk portion, which if it happens will ruin the string.When I ordered such strings for my Hofner Ignition Club bass without knowing this, and had no need to cut the full diameter portion for that bass anyway, the seller still added a slip of paper to my order, cautioning me to make the bend [for the tuning peg hole] in each string BEFORE CUTTING it to length, to avoid separation.
Given that information, I would strongly advise against cutting the full diameter part of ANY round core string, and suggest that you got lucky doing it with the Boomer string.
IIRC, the D'Addario Half Rounds have a hex core, and I have used them at one point on my Ric 4001, prior to settling into what are now called GHS Brite Flats, formerly Dean Markley Ground Round Wounds.
I just now looked at their string data file, and apparently D'Addario Half Rounds only have a 105 in long scale, so that must be what you used.
BTW, what were the other strings' gauges in that Half Round set ?
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The folks in the Mikro thread are worrying about it being discontinued. I don't think it was, but some fear was triggered when they couldn't find the Mikro in some 2021 materials. I posted there saying that if the Mikro comes to an end, they can join our world with a same scale Mini P. 
Which brings me to my next point: I really hope we see a Mini PJ someday. That would be the ultimate.
Which brings me to my next point: I really hope we see a Mini PJ someday. That would be the ultimate.
On the same level, a mini Jaguar bass would be a killer.The folks in the Mikro thread are worrying about it being discontinued. I don't think it was, but some fear was triggered when they couldn't find the Mikro in some 2021 materials. I posted there saying that if the Mikro comes to an end, they can join our world with a same scale Mini P.
Which brings me to my next point: I really hope we see a Mini PJ someday. That would be the ultimate.
View attachment 4136895
Agreed. I actually wouldn't care what body type. Jag or P - both fine.
How many have you had break? What conditions did they break in? What brands were they?
I've had more than this set of strings wound full diameter around the post. Never had a breakage. With a very tiny sample size, I don't think either of us really has much to stake a claim on.
I've only been playing bass for nine years, but I do own - and have owned - quite a few basses, play a heck of a lot, and have never broken a string. It's one of the least of my worries when we are playing a gig.
That said, I always use flats - usually Chromes, which pretty much last forever. My Gretsch Junior Jet has had the same set of D'Addario Chromes on it since I purchased it new in January 2012 and it's played hundreds of gigs. All my other basses have never had the strings changed again since I put on Chromes.
What I'm trying to say is: if I cut down a string and it ends up eventually breaking due to a poor cut, or if because I put part of the thick part of the string around the tuning post... it's not going to be the end of the world. I'm certainly not losing any sleep over it. I've spent way more on mods that didn't work out than the cost of a set of strings
That said, I always use flats - usually Chromes, which pretty much last forever. My Gretsch Junior Jet has had the same set of D'Addario Chromes on it since I purchased it new in January 2012 and it's played hundreds of gigs. All my other basses have never had the strings changed again since I put on Chromes.
What I'm trying to say is: if I cut down a string and it ends up eventually breaking due to a poor cut, or if because I put part of the thick part of the string around the tuning post... it's not going to be the end of the world. I'm certainly not losing any sleep over it. I've spent way more on mods that didn't work out than the cost of a set of strings
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Outside of the breakage, since many newcomers here ask for string suggestions, I do want to offer up my recent stringing of GHS Bass Boomers Round Core. They are very soft and flexible, and they are yielding really nice, tight tone. So I have the GHS Bass Boomers Round Core on #1 and the DD Halfs on #2.
Tons of fun. Happy Friday, sisters and brothers of the Mini P Universe.
Tons of fun. Happy Friday, sisters and brothers of the Mini P Universe.
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Thanks, and back atcha !
So are the Half Rounds a set, or were they selected individually ?
Please, what are the gauges, and the original scale length of them ?
Oh, and being retired [and with the pandemic encouraging me to stay at home recreationally], EVERY day is a lot like a Friday for me !
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~I've only been playing bass for nine years, but I do own - and have owned - quite a few basses, play a heck of a lot, and have never broken a string. It's one of the least of my worries when we are playing a gig.
That said, I always use flats - usually Chromes, which pretty much last forever. My Gretsch Junior Jet has had the same set of D'Addario Chromes on it since I purchased it new in January 2012 and it's played hundreds of gigs. All my other basses have never had the strings changed again since I put on Chromes.
What I'm trying to say is: if I cut down a string and it ends up eventually breaking due to a poor cut, or if because I put part of the thick part of the string around the tuning post... it's not going to be the end of the world. I'm certainly not losing any sleep over it. I've spent way more on mods that didn't work out than the cost of a set of strings
As I expect I've posted somewhere earlier on TB, I've never broken a string while playing a gig [starting about 50 years ago], and the last time that I've broken one while installing or doing a setup, I cannot recall, though it might have happened at some point.
That said, I do not take the chances with string choices which some have mentioned here, and the vast majority of my playing career has been on a Ric 4001, which takes typical long scale strings, so generally they fit with only a single cut in the thinner silk area anyway, presenting no opportunity to take such chances.
But ever since I went short scale more recently, I have only bought strings which, after measuring the bass, I was sure would fit in the same manner to which I was accustomed.
True, strings cost less than a lot of other things, but I have gotten more frugal as I have approached and entered Geezerdom, and any money potentially wasted could be better spent on something else.
BTW, we should one day discuss the mods which we each have done to basses - might be both entertaining and educational.
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Thanks, and back atcha !
So are the Half Rounds a set, or were they selected individually ?
Please, what are the gauges, and the original scale length of them ?
Oh, and being retired [and with the pandemic encouraging me to stay at home recreationally], EVERY day is a lot like a Friday for me !
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Both sets are 105s. Halfs were the 105 set from DAddario. Both long scale, but neither long or short scale really fit, as far as the taper, so both would get cut down to size - especially E and A. No problems though.
Both sound great on the bass and are different in their own way. The Boomers are a welcome change being so soft and flexible. Very comfortable for my aging hands. I think that's why I eventually moved away from Halfs in a previous life. I Used to use them in my past, and always loved the smooth feel and tone, but I moved away from them. With my failing memory, I can't actually remember why I moved away from them. But, seeing what has happened again, I imagine it was because of the stiffness and tension.
I am in the age and years-in-business zone where retirement should at least be a possibility. But, financial reality says it is nowhere on the radar. Enjoy yours.
When I started bass, I used to break the 2nd or 1st string 3-4 times a year. Most likely due to poor technique when slapping and a lot of slapping.
I broke a string with a pick once on stage. But we were playing punk music, ripped the string away and kept playing, no one noticed hahaha.
I broke a string with a pick once on stage. But we were playing punk music, ripped the string away and kept playing, no one noticed hahaha.
Similar, I had one string break at a gig once, in about 1989. I was playing aggressive rock, and probably had terrible technique. It was on my 34" scale Tune Bass Maniac. Have never broken a string since then. Of course, with more and more basses, each gets played less, so less stress per bass.
I may never need to change a string again!
(But I'm sure I will anyway)
Hey short scale lovers, this just dropped. Also that Sire looks and sounds good it seems!
~Similar, I had one string break at a gig once, in about 1989. I was playing aggressive rock, and probably had terrible technique. It was on my 34" scale Tune Bass Maniac. Have never broken a string since then. Of course, with more and more basses, each gets played less, so less stress per bass.
I may never need to change a string again!
(But I'm sure I will anyway)
A perfect excuse, er, I mean reason, to justify owning more basses, in conversation with the S.O.
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Looks nice, and I have been hearing positive things about the Sire brand.
But why would they call a 4-string bass [in the cover pic] something which has only a 5 on its name ?
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Apparently, Phil likes the new Mini P, and has already modded his.
