The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[pcake]

Once again, on strings for the Squier Mini P...

First off, the butt to nut length on the Mini P is 76 cm/30". The center of the E tuner is 4 cm/1.5" past the nut. The "perfect fitting" string would have a 31.5" to 32" ball to taper length. Almost all short scale strings are 34" ball to taper.

If you don't mind having the fat part of the string wrap around the E tuner post, any short scale strings will fit. There is no technical reason I'm aware of against doing this.

If you're like me, and insist on having taper only on the tuner post, the only strings I've found that fit are Ibanez Mikro strings. Except the G, which is too short, and only winds 3/4 of the way... The Mikro G string is 045. so you'll have to find a single 045 nickel roundwound. You can use a 040 or 050, I suppose.

I have not yet tried a Mikro 5er set. I believe that the lower 4 would fit properly, and could be used as is to make a Mini P BEAD bass, but don't know this for sure.

so even though the mini P has the same scale length as the mikro, d'addario short scale rounds won't fit it? those are the strings that fit my mikros perfectly, but i guess tuner placement is a part of this equation.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

so even though the mini P has the same scale length as the mikro, d'addario short scale rounds won't fit it? those are the strings that fit my mikros perfectly, but i guess tuner placement is a part of this equation.

Exactly. Totally different headstocks.

Again, if you don't mind the fat part of the string on the tuner post (and many people have no issue with this), then D'addario short scale rounds will work just peachy.

 

[pcake]

Exactly. Totally different headstocks.

Again, if you don't mind the fat part of the string on the tuner post (and many people have no issue with this), then D'addario short scale rounds will work just peachy.

i do mind the fattest part of the string in the tuners, but i also prefer a 40 to a 45. thanks for all the info!

 

[csm672]

Here is my ask of you fellows that have one of these in hand: Will they fit a strat hard case or bag? I can't seem to find the total length of these little basses anywhere. This will be my next bass, but I need a way to schlep it around with all the other stuff. Wish Fender would do a run with maple fb and some other colors... Cheap bass= red or black only!

 

[MakoMan]

Here is my ask of you fellows that have one of these in hand: Will they fit a strat hard case or bag? I can't seem to find the total length of these little basses anywhere. This will be my next bass, but I need a way to schlep it around with all the other stuff. Wish Fender would do a run with maple fb and some other colors... Cheap bass= red or black only!

They will fit in any guitar case. You’ll need a towel or something to space the body, as it is really small. Total length of my Mini P is 38.5 inches. A Standard Squier strat is an inch longer. I have one very small gig bag that is too short for most electrics and to my surprise the Mini P just fit.

 

[csm672]

Perfect and thank you MakoMan! That seals the deal for me.

 

[SBassman]

Well, I have mine in hand. I start my journey with good news and bad news.

The good: neck looks good, finish good, electronics all working correctly. Sounds impressive actually.

The bad: I got one with misalignment. Someone else experienced that here. I'm going to go have to try to find those posts. I think the person had a tech remove and reseat the neck and got the alignment improved?

Anyone in the know - please take a look at the pics, and let me know what you think. Thank you.

 

[SBassman]

The mini P is repaired. As others suggested, by loosening the neck and adjusting it, the tech was able to line everything up. They thanked me for not doing it myself on a new instrument and apologized for letting the bass out like that. Apparently their two master techs are super busy so the regular staff has been setting up the cheaper instruments. They offered to replace the bass with another or take it back if I had any concerns at all, but I’m happy. Stuff happens.

Care to post a picture after the alignment. I am tempted to whip out my toolkit.

 

[SBassman]

I think I significantly improved it. What do you think?

 

[macmanlou]

I am tempted to whip out my toolkit.

I've done this successfully on a few basses. Slacken the strings (but leave them on so you can use them to judge your adjustment), loosen the neck screws (just a bit), gently but firmly pull the neck into alignment, re-tighten the screws while holding the neck in place. Re-tune and recheck.

Sadly, if that method doesn't work, I'd return the bass.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

I think I significantly improved it. What do you think?

View attachment 3946078

Good job! How did you do it?

 

[SBassman]

Loosened the strings and the screws, as others have described. I basically tugged on the neck in the opposite direction while someone else tightened the screws. Seems fine to me now.

 

[SBassman]

Plastic is getting peeled. That means - keeper.

The neck is impressing me. Nice neck.

I'm inclined to not change much. Tuners are fine. Pickup is fine.
A couple of days from now, I will do a little bit of fret end filing, and I'll swap out the chrome knobs for plastic. I love the light satin finish on the back of the neck. Will definitely leave that alone, but I'm contemplating a little bit of finish for the fretboard itself. That might sound odd, but I have done that a few times in the past successfully.

Very nice build for the price. Love those tuners.

Just thought of one other thing I have to do to make it Mine. I do this all the time when the pickup covers have sharp ends. I will actually sand the upper left corner of the pickup cover, because that's where I place my thumb.
[Don't know why some pickup covers are made with such sharp edges.]

 

[macmanlou]

I basically tugged on the neck in the opposite direction while someone else tightened the screws. Seems fine to me now.

It is much easier to do if you've got an extra hand.

 

[SBassman]

It is much easier to do if you've got an extra hand.

You're not kidding. I called my daughter and handed her the screw driver while I did the tugging.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... I'll swap out the chrome knobs for plastic. ...

Love those plastic knobs! Mine go to 11!

 

[SBassman]

I don't think I noticed that before. Hysterical. Can you tell me where you got those? If they have those in black, I'd have to join you on that.

 

[J Posega]

The problem with having the full diameter string winding onto the tuning gear is that the string could crack. I had this happen with a Bass VI recently that had the wrong strings put on it. The low E unraveled because of all the pressure being put on the core and wrap wires by winding onto the tuning peg. It can also make the string slip and not stay in tune as well.

 

[SBassman]

The problem with having the full diameter string winding onto the tuning gear is that the string could crack. I had this happen with a Bass VI recently that had the wrong strings put on it. The low E unraveled because of all the pressure being put on the core and wrap wires by winding onto the tuning peg. It can also make the string slip and not stay in tune as well.

Yes. I have had the same experience.

It has to be a string design that is flexible. If it is flexible, it will Usually wind on successfully. If it is too stiff, it can crack. Flats will almost Always crack.

I do get a kick out of seeing manufacturers not bother to size the strings with tapers. Fender told me these are 105 - 45 nickel plated steel. 7250Ms? Mine definitely came straight from the factory, and, there are no tapers on these strings. The full part is wrapped around the posts.

 

[pcake]

fender player series mustangs come with long scale strings. i never noticed when i bought my first one till i called fender to ask what strings they were, and they told me long scales. i looked, and sure enough - same with my current one. odd since they actually have short scale versions.