The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[DavesnothereCA]

....Has anyone tried putting a Hipshot A-style bridge on a Mini-P ?

~
As you may recall, one or more person here has upgraded a Mini-P to a a Hipshot Kickass bridge, with some pics and discussion not far upthread, and it looks like there were some benefits from doing so, but what is this A-style bridge of theirs ?

Is it also meant to be a drop-in upgrade for Fender basses ?

EDIT :

I see that it is not [different mounting holes, 4 instead of 5], and also costs more almost as much a a whole Mini-P bass, at $168.51 USD !

But it also looks like it supports both top-load and thru-body string anchoring :

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/a-style-bass-bridge?variant=31565310600
~

 

[Philtastic]

~
As you may recall, one or more person here has upgraded a Mini-P to a a Hipshot Kickass bridge, with some pics and discussion not far upthread, and it looks like there were some benefits from doing so, but what is this A-style bridge of theirs ?

Is it also meant to be a drop-in upgrade for Fender basses ?

EDIT :

I see that it is not [different mounting holes, 4 instead of 5], and also costs more almost as much a a whole Mini-P bass, at $168.51 USD !

But it also looks like it supports both top-load and thru-body string anchoring :

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/a-style-bass-bridge?variant=31565310600
~

The bridge you linked to is Hipshot's "A Style" bridge. The Kickass is a direct replacement.

Here's mine, in gold, with matching Dimarzio Sixties P pickups.

Note: The gold bridge does not come with gold screws.

 

[Mountain Mike]

That is beautiful!
I have long wanted to do a guitar with gold hardware.

EDIT: Makes me want a black Mini now too!

 

[DavesnothereCA]

i searched for Jay Turser JTB-40 weight. could that have been the long scale version? who knows?

my squier CV jazz weighs 8 pounds with the standard neck. on the other hand, my husband's weighs in at just about 10 pounds.

i have that GSR100EX and a second one my husband routed so it could hold mustang pickups.

the final result? i passed on going fretless with the black GSR100EX, instead adding mustang pickups after my husband routed it for me, and it's awesome! my first one, with the MOL finish, i was playing last night. i still really enjoy it, and it's a more comfortable body than other long scale basses.

~
Ya, I think that your search results included some of Jay Turser's long scale P-ish bass [mine just now did], the current model of which is called the JTB-400C.

I've read that a few Fender P and J basses weigh as much as 11 pounds !

And the GSR100EX seems like a 'sleeper special' for some people - then again, an awful lot of recent Ibanez basses are very affordable and of decent quality.

I own 3 of that brand, but all were more pricey not current models, and bought used.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

The bridge you linked to is Hipshot's "A Style" bridge. The Kickass is a direct replacement.

Here's mine, in gold, with matching Dimarzio Sixties P pickups.

Note: The gold bridge does not come with gold screws.

View attachment 4550336 View attachment 4550337

~
I only linked the A-style model because Rod asked about it, plus I did not previously know about it.

However, my narrative might have merged comments about both, and the edit window has expired.

From our earlier posts, I was already aware of what you said about the Kickass, including when you tried it, and which, BTW, might be a decent bridge for me to try on a couple of other basses which I have.

I do not think that you had posted those two pics before, and that looks purty !

But if they do not include gold screws, then they should rename the Kickass to Cheapass [let's see whether that word gets bleeped ].
~

 

[Philtastic]

~
I only linked the A-style model because Rod asked about it, plus I did not previously know about it.

However, my narrative might have merged comments about both, and the edit window has expired.

From our earlier posts, I was already aware of what you said about the Kickass, including when you tried it, and which, BTW, might be a decent bridge for me to try on a couple of other basses which I have.
~

Sorry, missed the part where you mentioned the A Style. Should have read closer.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Sorry, missed the part where you mentioned the A Style. Should have read closer.

~
And I could have been more clear in my choice of words.

BTW, I added to my last post too - please review.
~

 

[Philtastic]

~
And I could have been more clear in my choice of words.

BTW, I added to my last post too - please review.
~

The photos are new.

The springs and saddle bars inside the springs aren't gold, either, though, so I guess it's ok. The silver screws do reflect the surrounding gold, somewhat.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I was super close to pulling the trigger on a Bronco but then I found out about the Gretsch Junior Jet II bass.
Love the looks; Tele body, 2x2 tuners, classic style.

Damn, never should gone down this rabbit hole!

Anyway, the Mini P arrived a couple hours ago. Can't wait to take it home on open it up!

That is beautiful!
I have long wanted to do a guitar with gold hardware.

EDIT: Makes me want a black Mini now too!

~
AND, something for your GAS !

BTW, if you like the look of that Gretsch, then also check out the Epiphone Allen Woody.

Short scale, with a similar shape of body.

Remember, there is no better remedy for temptation, than giving IN to it.

But be aware that it is not a permanent cure.
~

 

[Mountain Mike]

~
AND, something for your GAS !

BTW, if you like the look of that Gretsch, then also check out the Epiphone Allen Woody.

Short scale, with a similar shape of body.

Remember, there is no better remedy for temptation, than giving IN to it.

But be aware that it is not a permanent cure.
~

Ugh so true.

I was all ready to preorder a Shell Pink Bronco when I decided to do another search for used ones.
I want a mod platform to mess with so was a bit hesitant to get that exclusive one. I would rather have one I wouldn't care about hacking into if I felt like it.
I came across an old (possibly made in '97) white Bronco and decided to snap it up.

I got feelers out over on Squire-Talk hoping to find out info on the line and it's history.
I know very little about basses in general and pretty much ZERO about the Bronco.
My limited research seems to indicate that the only two colors ever offered by Squier was Torino Red and Black throughout the life of the model.
So I'm leaning towards a dealer exclusive like the Shell Pink CME model.
EDIT: (or a refinish)

We'll see.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Ugh so true.

I was all ready to preorder a Shell Pink Bronco when I decided to do another search for used ones.
I want a mod platform to mess with so was a bit hesitant to get that exclusive one. I would rather have one I wouldn't care about hacking into if I felt like it.
I came across an old (possibly made in '97) white Bronco and decided to snap it up.

I got feelers out over on Squire-Talk hoping to find out info on the line and it's history.
I know very little about basses in general and pretty much ZERO about the Bronco.
My limited research seems to indicate that the only two colors ever offered by Squier was Torino Red and Black throughout the life of the model.
So I'm leaning towards a dealer exclusive like the Shell Pink CME model.

We'll see.

~
I agree with not hacking up a pink one.

Let us know what you learn about the white Bronco, because yes, AFAIK, they only came in red or black - the one which I briefly had several years ago was black.

There have been folks who have posted pics of Broncos on TB, refinished to alternate colours, and that white one could be an example.

One notable Mini-P [seen upthread] was redone to sunburst, and a very decent job too.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

....Has anyone tried putting a Hipshot A-style bridge on a Mini ?

~
As you may recall, one or more person here has upgraded a Mini-P to a a Hipshot Kickass bridge, with some pics and discussion not far upthread, and it looks like there were some benefits from doing so, but what is this A-style bridge of theirs ? - Is it also meant to be a drop-in upgrade for Fender basses ?
EDIT :
I see that it is not [different mounting holes, 4 instead of 5], and also costs more almost as much a a whole Mini-P bass, at $168.51 USD ! - But it also looks like it supports both top-load and thru-body string anchoring : https://hipshotproducts.com/products/a-style-bass-bridge?variant=31565310600
~

~
But WAIT, there's more !

I just spent a few more minutes on the Hipshot site, and it turns out that they make TWO, no, THREE versions of the A-style bridge for 4 string basses.

The first one I already linked, and the other two apparently ARE drop-in replacements for specified Fender basses.

One is for top-loading models, and the other is for string thru body, which means that a Mini-P could in theory use the string thru version as part of a more complex mod to allow regular short scale strings to fit it better.

[There is a further variant for 5 string Fender basses as well, but I was not counting that when I said 3 versions.]

Anyway, here's the link :

https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-bridges/products/a-style-fender-mount-bridges

Just one more thing, Columbo !

There is a B-style Fender model too, which comes with the same choices as the A-style Fender model :

https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-bridges/products/b-style-fender-mount-bridges

Plenty to consider....
~

 

[Mountain Mike]

Anyway, here's the link :

https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-bridges/products/a-style-fender-mount-bridges

If I'm not mistaken that bridge fits the Fender 5 hole spacing using just 3 screws and as you mentioned works with string through body.
This is a mod I've been considering for the Mini.

 

[RodRy]

~
As you may recall, one or more person here has upgraded a Mini-P to a a Hipshot Kickass bridge, with some pics and discussion not far upthread, and it looks like there were some benefits from doing so, but what is this A-style bridge of theirs ?

Is it also meant to be a drop-in upgrade for Fender basses ?

EDIT :

I see that it is not [different mounting holes, 4 instead of 5], and also costs more almost as much a a whole Mini-P bass, at $168.51 USD !

But it also looks like it supports both top-load and thru-body string anchoring :

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/a-style-bass-bridge?variant=31565310600
~

Yep, that's the one. I have found it to be a very nice looking and interesting bridge, and wondered if anyone has tried it out. Yes, costs nearly as much as a new Mini, but with the money you saved on a bass, you can put it on a bridge!

 

[RodRy]

The bridge you linked to is Hipshot's "A Style" bridge. The Kickass is a direct replacement.

Here's mine, in gold, with matching Dimarzio Sixties P pickups.

Note: The gold bridge does not come with gold screws.

View attachment 4550336 View attachment 4550337

Nice! Now I'm curious what you will do for a pickguard...

 

[Philtastic]

Nice! Now I'm curious what you will do for a pickguard...

Black, three-ply.

My first few attempts at covering the white pickguard in black vinyl did not go well, though, so I ended up ordering one from Ebay. Shipped out today, in fact, so here's hoping the mail from the UK to Canada moves swiftly.

The original idea was to also use gold paint on the bevel of the pickguard, but it may be too easy to scratch off, so I may just leave the white outline on the black pickguard as is.

Screws, knobs, and other hardware are all gold, too, obviously.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Yep, that's the one. I have found it to be a very nice looking and interesting bridge, and wondered if anyone has tried it out.

Yes, costs nearly as much as a new Mini, but with the money you saved on a bass, you can put it on a bridge!

~
Sounds like GAS speaking, if you ask ME !

But seriously, if a person was going to spend that much on a bridge [for ANY Fender compatible bass], if it was ME, I would choose one of the models of Hipshot which say that they mount onto the existing Fender screw holes, one of the A-style or B-style Fender-specific models, or the Kickass.

And based upon the pics and recent explanations from TB members of what the Kickass does for string length compensation and silk positioning on the Mini, I think that I would choose the Kickass for the Mini, which initially would fit those holes [if I did not wish to move them], AND seems to be less expensive, AND more adjustable in regard to the string spacing.

The Kickass might also be a good bridge for my Ric 4001, though the Badass II [also a Fender direct replacement, and which I put onto it decades ago] is still doing fine, with a couple of hand-filed notches on the saddles, to bring the string spacing closer together as Rics require.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

If I'm not mistaken that bridge fits the Fender 5 hole spacing using just 3 screws and as you mentioned works with string through body.
This is a mod I've been considering for the Mini.

~
Yes, at least one of the A-style and/or B-style models, and the Kickass, each will mount into existing Fender-spaced holes.

I wonder though whether using only 3 of the 5 holes will be sufficient, or whether it will negatively affect the sound ?

In that regard, the Kickass uses all 5 holes, plus it compensates for the string length and silks better, costs less, and is more adjustable, as I mentioned to Rod.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Black, three-ply. - My first few attempts at covering the white pickguard in black vinyl did not go well, though, so I ended up ordering one from Ebay. Shipped out today, in fact, so here's hoping the mail from the UK to Canada moves swiftly. - The original idea was to also use gold paint on the bevel of the pickguard, but it may be too easy to scratch off, so I may just leave the white outline on the black pickguard as is. - Screws, knobs, and other hardware are all gold, too, obviously.

~
We collectively await your updated pics with bated breath.
~

 

[Mountain Mike]

~
I wonder though whether using only 3 of the 5 holes will be sufficient, or whether it will negatively affect the sound ?
~

Seems a little light on secure contact, I'd be a little wary of it coming off altogether with just 3 screws.
Thought if you do string-through-body that worry is moot. And the lighter tension of short scales should stress it less.

Along those lines I find the Bronco bridge screw pattern interesting with only 2 screws at the far end where leverage is highest.
But for all appearances the design has remained unchanged since the creation of this model so it must be working fine.
If only I could find a replacement bridge that fits that pattern. It is an unusual screw pattern and the factory replacement doesn't seem to be on the market.