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The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club
- Thread starter sabre79
- Start date
I too can warmly recommend the Ibanez GSRM20/GSRM20B Mikro Bass (the B version just means that it got black hardware instead of chrome and comes in some alternative finishes).
If you ask me the Ibanez cheap low budget basses are generally of a better overall quality than the cheap low budget Squier basses, but at about the same price.
The Cort factory in Indonesia where the Mikro Basses are made knows how to make great cheap basses.
Mind there will still be dud ones from the factory that slips through the quality control, that's just the nature of instruments in this low budget price class, but the quality control does seem a bit more consistent with the Mikro Basses, and the risk for getting a bad one ought, as far as gathered, to be far less.
The Bronco will most likely require work to become a decent player, whereas the Mikro most likely already is right from factory, bar for maybe a decent setup, which you actually should count on needing to do on all new basses, no matter what price class they are in.
So I would definitely seriously consider the Mikro if I were you over the Bronco.
Also I personally prefer the slimmer modern C neck profile, the extra couple of frets, and the flatter 12" fretboard radius, and actually the looks too, especially the Weathered Black finish GSRM20B Mikro Bass with black hardware, of the Mikro Bass... Oh, and the 28.6" scale length, just like the Squier Mini P, over the 30" scale of the Bronco.
Here is how the Ibanez GSRM20B Mikro Bass in Weathered Black finish looks :
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i do find the mikros are usually better quality than affinity squiers, although i've owned and played a couple dud mikros. but i've definitely played more dud broncos at stores.
that being said, i love my bronco, and it's a decent option for those who prefer a 30" scale to a 28.6" scale. btw, the bronco neck doesn't slow my playing like the mini p neck.
Made a cover video today with the Mini P
Even more Kudos jamming DMB and Fonzie! Awesome demo and sweet mods.
voila - you are #22! can't wait to see your bass with the clover keys
Volker Kirstein - #1
G19Tony - #2
hangnail - # 3
pcake - # 4
MakoMan - #5
Diver - #6
Bassylocks - #7
FinialBassist - #8
WildWes - #9
TK4261 - #10
pistonrod8 - #11
Bass-jay - #12
SBassman - #13
Jackcrow - #14
PBassPaul - #15
xboxdude - #16
andare - #17
Stephen Davis - #18
1uca5x - #19
negativeions24 - #20
BadMonk - #21
honeydorick - #22
Frank Vozak - #52
DavesnothereCA - auxiliary member
Is there a #23 yet? I'd love #23.
I've taken a few clips from the posts regarding some of the mods made...I was looking for a post from last month but decided to go back to the beginning. Here are some random "Cut and Paste" of some of the mods. I did not add any of the Bridge measurement posts. Here you go, and thank you all for your contributions. This is a really fun Club!
Squier Mini
I have replaced everything except the Body and Neck.
Nordy Power Blade pickup
Best Bass Gear P wiring harness with the small noble pots
Hipshot USA Vintage bridge
Hipshot USA Lolipop tuners
Graphtech nut
Custom neck plate and logo
Luminlay side dots
G&L string retainer
Black Korina custom pickguard from ETSY
Dunlop eye strap buttons
D'addario SS short scale 45-100 strings
All new screws for everything
The 3/8" Hipshots are a direct replacement. I think I added 1 wrap of HVAC aluminum tape to each tuner bushing for a snug fit though. Get the Mini clovers if you can or the Lolipop because the full size Clovers might be to big for the headstock
Hardware:
CV 60's P pickup, bridge, wiring harness, pots and jack
Hipshot Ultralite Tuners - HB6C 3/8
D'Addario Nickel Wound Regular Light Strings - EXL170S
Dunlop Strap Lock System - 0246-N
Mods:
Stripped the neck, refinished in amber dye and lacquered
Added walnut truss rod access accent
Custom made gold Squier Mini logo
Stripped the body, refinished in 3 color sunburst lacquer
Gold anodized aluminum pickguard
Other:
Smoothed the fret ends and leveled and polished the frets
Copper shielding throughout
There are multiple drop-in replacements for tuners. I used Gotoh GB707 Compacts.
Mojotone stocks a graphite nut that, amazingly, is a drop in replacement. You only need to do minor tweak of slots, if necessary.
DiMarzio Relentless
I've installed Gotoh GB707s, a Hipshot brass A style bridge, an EMG PA pickup, Dunlop dual design strap lock buttons, D'Addario Chromes, and black knobs.
I ended up just ordering a complete wiring harness from Best Bass Gear and they use the small Noble pots
I just cancelled the GOTOH's and ordered a set of GROVERS (which actually cost less), because
I discovered those particular GOTOH tuners now utilize PLASTIC PEGS (painted to look like Chrome!)
After that I'd probably consider Epic Custom (Epic Custom Shop) or Bill Lawrence Wilde P46 pups.
The Geezer is more of a vintage voiced P pickup, but slightly hotter and slightly more agressive than your typical vintage P, has a very balanced kind of tone, though with a slight emphasis on the upper mids, which gives it a nice amount of bite and snap, also a very clear and exceptionally articulated open kind of tone, and unlike the Model P the Geezers are shielded internally, which means they will be dead quiet even when installed in a bass that has not been properly shielded.
The Model P is hotter and more aggressive, somewhat more compressed sounding and not quite as well defined and articulate as the Geezer P, but has a very full fat, meaty and punchy kind of tone, with an emphasis on the lower mids.
Both are amazing sounding pickups though, depending on what you are aiming for, the Geezer for a more traditional voiced, open, clear and very articulated sounding pickup, with a good amount of bite and snap, and the Model P for a less traditionally voiced, hot and aggressive, somewhat more compressed, full and meaty sounding pickup, with a good amount of punch.
Maybe I should add that the Geezers can do warm and mellow too, if you turn down the tone knob to taste and pick more lightly, but while staying well defined, clear and articulate, unlike most other pickups when doing warm and mellow.
Recent mods include custom neckplate from LazrArtStore.com who do incredible, fast, inexpensive, handmade domestic custom neckplates that rule.
Squier Mini
I have replaced everything except the Body and Neck.
Nordy Power Blade pickup
Best Bass Gear P wiring harness with the small noble pots
Hipshot USA Vintage bridge
Hipshot USA Lolipop tuners
Graphtech nut
Custom neck plate and logo
Luminlay side dots
G&L string retainer
Black Korina custom pickguard from ETSY
Dunlop eye strap buttons
D'addario SS short scale 45-100 strings
All new screws for everything
The 3/8" Hipshots are a direct replacement. I think I added 1 wrap of HVAC aluminum tape to each tuner bushing for a snug fit though. Get the Mini clovers if you can or the Lolipop because the full size Clovers might be to big for the headstock
Hardware:
CV 60's P pickup, bridge, wiring harness, pots and jack
Hipshot Ultralite Tuners - HB6C 3/8
D'Addario Nickel Wound Regular Light Strings - EXL170S
Dunlop Strap Lock System - 0246-N
Mods:
Stripped the neck, refinished in amber dye and lacquered
Added walnut truss rod access accent
Custom made gold Squier Mini logo
Stripped the body, refinished in 3 color sunburst lacquer
Gold anodized aluminum pickguard
Other:
Smoothed the fret ends and leveled and polished the frets
Copper shielding throughout
There are multiple drop-in replacements for tuners. I used Gotoh GB707 Compacts.
Mojotone stocks a graphite nut that, amazingly, is a drop in replacement. You only need to do minor tweak of slots, if necessary.
DiMarzio Relentless
I've installed Gotoh GB707s, a Hipshot brass A style bridge, an EMG PA pickup, Dunlop dual design strap lock buttons, D'Addario Chromes, and black knobs.
I ended up just ordering a complete wiring harness from Best Bass Gear and they use the small Noble pots
I just cancelled the GOTOH's and ordered a set of GROVERS (which actually cost less), because
I discovered those particular GOTOH tuners now utilize PLASTIC PEGS (painted to look like Chrome!)
After that I'd probably consider Epic Custom (Epic Custom Shop) or Bill Lawrence Wilde P46 pups.
The Geezer is more of a vintage voiced P pickup, but slightly hotter and slightly more agressive than your typical vintage P, has a very balanced kind of tone, though with a slight emphasis on the upper mids, which gives it a nice amount of bite and snap, also a very clear and exceptionally articulated open kind of tone, and unlike the Model P the Geezers are shielded internally, which means they will be dead quiet even when installed in a bass that has not been properly shielded.
The Model P is hotter and more aggressive, somewhat more compressed sounding and not quite as well defined and articulate as the Geezer P, but has a very full fat, meaty and punchy kind of tone, with an emphasis on the lower mids.
Both are amazing sounding pickups though, depending on what you are aiming for, the Geezer for a more traditional voiced, open, clear and very articulated sounding pickup, with a good amount of bite and snap, and the Model P for a less traditionally voiced, hot and aggressive, somewhat more compressed, full and meaty sounding pickup, with a good amount of punch.
Maybe I should add that the Geezers can do warm and mellow too, if you turn down the tone knob to taste and pick more lightly, but while staying well defined, clear and articulate, unlike most other pickups when doing warm and mellow.
Recent mods include custom neckplate from LazrArtStore.com who do incredible, fast, inexpensive, handmade domestic custom neckplates that rule.
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voila! welcome to the squier mini p club, number 23
Volker Kirstein - #1
G19Tony - #2
hangnail - # 3
pcake - # 4
MakoMan - #5
Diver - #6
Bassylocks - #7
FinialBassist - #8
WildWes - #9
TK4261 - #10
pistonrod8 - #11
Bass-jay - #12
SBassman - #13
Jackcrow - #14
PBassPaul - #15
xboxdude - #16
andare - #17
Stephen Davis - #18
1uca5x - #19
negativeions24 - #20
BadMonk - #21
honeydorick - #22
Zapple - #23
Frank Vozak - #52
DavesnothereCA - auxiliary member
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,101
- 929
- Disclosures
- I'm the Squier of Fenderbirds
Got my LaBella flats and changed up the look a bit. Stock these basses are great, but I had a bunch of extra parts so why not go nuts.
Gotoh 201 bridge
Mystery pickup revealed to be a 90s Seymour Duncan SPB-1
Hip shot UL Tuners
LaBella flats
And, you know. Blue.
LaBellas with the Duncan sound great. Very punchy. That’s my long in depth string review. You’re welcome.
Gotoh 201 bridge
Mystery pickup revealed to be a 90s Seymour Duncan SPB-1
Hip shot UL Tuners
LaBella flats
And, you know. Blue.
LaBellas with the Duncan sound great. Very punchy. That’s my long in depth string review. You’re welcome.
Woohoo! Got my Baby 'Bellas!
Got them on, sounds good. My action is has gotten higher. Looked down the neck and it seems like I have more relief now. I didn't have time to do a set up tonight, but I will get it right soon.
Got them on, sounds good. My action is has gotten higher. Looked down the neck and it seems like I have more relief now. I didn't have time to do a set up tonight, but I will get it right soon.
Why is this the first time I've seen your bass? Looks great! Nice to have another member in the Mini refinish club!
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,101
- 929
- Disclosures
- I'm the Squier of Fenderbirds
thanks! I posted pics a while back but this thread is a monster. Don’t look carefully at the finish it’s not nearly as good as yours!
I put the La Bella flats on my Mini P last night. They sound great, they really bring the thump.
The strings were really long and I had to trim them down or they would have wrapped over themselves. They are pretty fat strings but fit in the nut slot. I had to adjust the truss rod as the strings are higher tension. I have the neck pretty much dead straight and the action at 3/32"ish with no string buzz whatsoever. I was surprised how much the intonation changed, I had to move the saddles back 1/4", almost so far that they string end wrap would have been hitting the saddle.
Now the Mini P sounds like a P bass with flats, really nice.
The strings were really long and I had to trim them down or they would have wrapped over themselves. They are pretty fat strings but fit in the nut slot. I had to adjust the truss rod as the strings are higher tension. I have the neck pretty much dead straight and the action at 3/32"ish with no string buzz whatsoever. I was surprised how much the intonation changed, I had to move the saddles back 1/4", almost so far that they string end wrap would have been hitting the saddle.
Now the Mini P sounds like a P bass with flats, really nice.
I also put my new La Bella flats on yesterday. Initial impression is favorable. They're definitely thumpy. E string isn't dead the way it was on my set of Chromes. Action is definitely higher than before but I'm going to wait a bit before I make any adjustments.
While I was at it, I buffed the back of the neck with 0000 steel wool, gently sanded the corners of the dangerously sharp pickup covers, and put two coats of boiled linseed oil on the fretboard (it's what I had on hand, but it did darken the board nicely).
With properly-sized strings and a few minor tweaks the Mini is starting to feel like a proper instrument. I'll probably take it to rehearsal this week to see how it performs in a band context.
While I was at it, I buffed the back of the neck with 0000 steel wool, gently sanded the corners of the dangerously sharp pickup covers, and put two coats of boiled linseed oil on the fretboard (it's what I had on hand, but it did darken the board nicely).
With properly-sized strings and a few minor tweaks the Mini is starting to feel like a proper instrument. I'll probably take it to rehearsal this week to see how it performs in a band context.
Got my strings on Friday and had to wait til my day off to put them on. I love the extra stiffness, but it still sounds very much like an extra-short scale bass. I'm excited to hear how these strings lose their brightness and settle down over time.
I no longer feel the need to mod the bass with a string-through bridge. But I do plan on plugging and redrilling the pickguard holes because they're super wonky. The tuners and bridge are just fine.
I no longer feel the need to mod the bass with a string-through bridge. But I do plan on plugging and redrilling the pickguard holes because they're super wonky. The tuners and bridge are just fine.
10 sets left from LaBella! Thanks JPJ for making this happen
No problem - happy to help. I'm glad that we're getting down to single digits, as it will make something like this more doable in the future (if needed). While I don't have a proverbial horse in the race, I'm also glad to hear some early positive feedback.
Excuse me if I'm wrong, but aren't you also the person who talked about being good at renegotiating cable/internet/phone monthly rates?
I ask, after just having received my latest bill...
Excuse me if I'm wrong, but aren't you also the person who talked about being good at renegotiating cable/internet/phone monthly rates?
I ask, after just having received my latest bill...
I can't tell (lack of context) if this is a serious question or one meant to be read with humor (did we actually talk about that earlier in the thread?!?!). Don't want to take this too seriously, but since you asked, I AM really good at renegotiating cable/internet/phone monthly rates. I hate the process, but I'm willing to put in the time to get the win.
It's less about saving money and more about the principle of it, so yes....yes, I am. 
