The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[OLD-PLAYER]

Let me rephrase my point for clarity.

My point about "tone wood" in a solid-body electric instrument is that it is just "wood" it makes no discernable difference in "tone".

As far as the neck length I'm saying that all else being equal a shorter scale bass is going to have a different sound than a full scale bass. To get the same note the string tension is completely different lending to a different sound.

As far as same scale and type of electric solid-body instruments sounding different, this has everything to do with the pups, the values of the caps and pots, and the strings.

Do you really think the reason the Squire Mini Precision sounds different than the Fender P Junior is due to the difference between alder and poplar?

Yes to your post, a thousand times Yes! As Leo told me 40+ years ago body wood doesn't really matter. Case in point (just watch the attached 12 minute video) It's great, and directly to your point!

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

Mine is stock with Chromes. I have recorded with it (only demos for now but the thing sounds great). I've played it at rehearsal and my bandmates were delighted about the sound, looks and playability.

For frequent use and gigs I'd definitely replace the tuners and possibly the output jack. Mine goes slightly out of tune every couple of songs and a Switchcraft jack would give me peace of mind.

I haven't opened mine up but if the wiring is as crappy as it was in my Bronco I'd replace that too. Two 16mm Alpha pots, one cap and a good jack cost very little and it's a quick upgrade I can do myself. Cheap and quick even if you have to go to a tech.

Yep, it's very similar to the Bronco wiring. There's a seller in Victorville California that offers "pre-made" harnesses on EBay with top flight components that are "drop-ins". It fits "tightly but comfortably" in the factory route with full size pots, high quality wires and a switchcraft jack, and cost less than $50. If you can't get one there check with Dave Starr at www.wildestarr.com. He can build anything you want, ready to drop-in. He built an AWESOME harness for my DAngelico last month...

 

[mbell75]

Just to see what you mean, would you describe this tone as hollow and clunky?

Thanks but I dont like that style or that sound at all. Its sounds muddy and muffled, or farty. Like an Epiphone SG bass with the single neck pick up. I mostly play with a pick as well. That might sound great (to some people) sitting alone in a living room but will get buried in a mix with a live band guaranteed. This bass has no problems with low end, in fact, it has TOO much low end. I want more pop and sizzle. I want more clarity in the notes and more definition in the top end.

 

[mbell75]

First, I'm pretty sure it's not the wood... loll
OK. Let me make sure I understand you correctly. You owned a limited edition ($800 back in 2002) American Precision Bass Junior (made of Alder). Recently you sold it to buy a stock Indonesian made 2022 MINI (made of Poplar) that sells for less than $200 in 2022. Now, when comparing them, your not happy with the sound of the MINI compared with your vintage Junior? That's kind of like comparing a Lexus 450H to a stock Corolla Cross, isn't it? If I remember correctly, those Precision Bass Juniors were partially hand assembled in either Corona, or Japan, and had full-on American grade hardware, wiring, and electronics. Your stock MINI was mass produced in Indonesia with import electronics, pickups, and hardware. Just dropping a Quarter Pounder in it, and not upgrading the electronics or the hardware, isn't going to take advantage of your pickup.

How about comparing it to a "lightly" modded Mini P, like mine. It has Grover 20-1 tuners, a hand cut Tusq nut, I dressed and leveled the frets, I hand rolled the fingerboard, I added a Seymour Quarter Pounder, I also added (a side of) Bourns pots, an orange drop cap, Gavitt wires, and a Switchcraft jack (to go with my Quarter Pounder loll). Next I added a Hipshot tree and a Kickass bridge. Then I professionally dialed it in. (and I spent 10 years working for Fender, Musicman and G&L in my youth) When needed (I'm primarily a guitar player) I've been using mine in the studio since January instead of my Vintage 1965 Precision, because it's safe and easy to fly with (and I'm not going to risk my 65 while traveling during a stupid Pandemic!) I could have easily rented a Precision when I got there (but my MINI sounded fine in the mix). Who knew? I'm pretty sure my MINI might compete a little better with the memory of your Junior.

Seriously, comparing a stock $200 instrument vs an American grade instrument worth $1k on the street (right now 20 years later) is interesting. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's not really a surprise, is it?

Some good points but you overlooked the rest of my post comparing this bass to 3 full length CV Squier P basses. Im not expecting it to sound as good as my Fender P Junior, but I expect it to sound as good as a Squier. It doesnt even really sound like a P bass. It sounds like one of the cheap, off brand Chinese basses attempting to copy the P bass sound IMO. Its unfortunate because I love the size but maybe I was expecting too much. I'll change the strings and see what happens.

 

[Mountain Mike]

Some good points but you overlooked the rest of my post comparing this bass to 3 full length CV Squier P basses. Im not expecting it to sound as good as my Fender P Junior, but I expect it to sound as good as a Squier. It doesnt even really sound like a P bass. It sounds like one of the cheap, off brand Chinese basses attempting to copy the P bass sound IMO. Its unfortunate because I love the size but maybe I was expecting too much. I'll change the strings and see what happens.

I wonder if there's something up with your pickups or some issue in your signal path (in the instrument). Perhaps you got a faulty one?
Or maybe you just don't like the sound and that's OK.

 

[mbell75]

I wonder if there's something up with your pickups or some issue in your signal path (in the instrument). Perhaps you got a faulty one?
Or maybe you just don't like the sound and that's OK.

I thought about playing with the pickup height, might try that as well as new strings. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

I thought about playing with the pickup height, might try that as well as new strings. Thanks for the reminder.

Hmmm, If you're looking for more brightness, you might want to consider either 500k pots, or 1M pots, and make sure you have really good wiring that isn't accidentally hampering your signal. It kind of sounds like either there may something wrong with either your pickup (or the wiring to it), or a bad pot (or 2)? Because my Quarter Pounder kicks, and has good brightness (and depth) when recording "flat" into a studio board. If the engineer had a problem with it, he absolutely would have told me last week. Man, I wish I had a better answer for you, but I dunno...? You do realize it's a little bit shorter scale than your P Bass Junior, which could make a little difference. Also, while I prefer flatwounds (and using my fingers) it appears you prefer a pick and maybe roundwounds would be better suited for your particular style & sound? Remember, no matter what you should always use short scale strings, to get the right tension at this short of a scale length. Otherwise it's going to feel wrong, especially if you're used to a full scale Precision Bass.

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

I thought about playing with the pickup height, might try that as well as new strings. Thanks for the reminder.

OK, so I'm thinking back to 1978 when I was a repairman/tech. If your bass came
across my bench, the first thing i would do is bypass your entire harness, and connect
it directly to a 1/4" jack and plug it in. If your bass brightened/cleaned up, it was
probably something in the harness. If it didn't, either it's something to do with the
pickup, or you just don't like the pickup, or the bass. That's my best guess...

 

[RodRy]

That might sound great (to some people) sitting alone in a living room but will get buried in a mix with a live band guaranteed.

Depends on the kind of music, instruments involved, overall volume level, and the way the mix is done. There are almost no guarantees in life.

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

Depends on the kind of music, instruments involved, overall volume level, and the way the mix is done. There are almost no guarantees in life.

Well there's always (1) Death (2) Taxes & (3) Studio Burn (if your recording direct, in front of a set of Studio Monitors blasting the mix at 112db. Ahhh, the 70's! I really do miss them (but my ears don't)

 

[andare]

Thanks but I dont like that style or that sound at all. Its sounds muddy and muffled, or farty. Like an Epiphone SG bass with the single neck pick up. I mostly play with a pick as well. That might sound great (to some people) sitting alone in a living room but will get buried in a mix with a live band guaranteed. This bass has no problems with low end, in fact, it has TOO much low end. I want more pop and sizzle. I want more clarity in the notes and more definition in the top end.

My Mini also has a ton of low end but I have Chromes on it so there's quite a bit of high end. I max out the Hi Mids on my Rumble 100 so it's quite an even sound. Basically the Laura Lee tone.

No problem being heard under a drummer and two guitarists who are in an appendage measuring contest on stage.
With a pick my Mini is too bright. I also turn down the Tone to 5 or 6.
This is a Beatles cover band BTW.

 

[andare]

Yep, it's very similar to the Bronco wiring. There's a seller in Victorville California that offers "pre-made" harnesses on EBay with top flight components that are "drop-ins". It fits "tightly but comfortably" in the factory route with full size pots, high quality wires and a switchcraft jack, and cost less than $50. If you can't get one there check with Dave Starr at www.wildestarr.com. He can build anything you want, ready to drop-in. He built an AWESOME harness for my DAngelico last month...

Thanks. I'm comfortable making my own harnesses. I dont think 24mm pots fit the cavity but I can get smaller Bourns pots. I've fixed my friends' Squiers several times so I always have a bunch of orange drops and good jacks lying around.

 

[GregLeSage]

Hi eveyone, a quick cosmetic change with the new pg (matte black 3 ply from our beloved and reactiv seller on ebay, 7 day to go from England to France!).
Today I wait for my himass fender bridge and I'm excited to try the flats I ordered...

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

Thanks. I'm comfortable making my own harnesses. I dont think 24mm pots fit the cavity but I can get smaller Bourns pots. I've fixed my friends' Squiers several times so I always have a bunch of orange drops and good jacks lying around.

They actually DO fit. I was just upgrading pick-guards yesterday, and I'm still amazed that they DID fit in there. It's tight, and you have to be careful when your fitting/soldering them in, but yea. They can work. I'd also suggest you double check that factory wiring. Of course, the smaller Bourns pots are great! We used them on my "DAngelico SS" recently.

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

Hi eveyone, a quick cosmetic change with the new pg (matte black 3 ply from our beloved and reactiv seller on ebay, 7 day to go from England to France!).
Today I wait for my himass fender bridge and I'm excited to try the flats I ordered...

My new black pickguard arrived yesterday from him! Superior quality, and it only took 8 days to get to me in California! I think it may arrive sooner than 7 days!

 

[OLD-PLAYER]

My Mini also has a ton of low end but I have Chromes on it so there's quite a bit of high end. I max out the Hi Mids on my Rumble 100 so it's quite an even sound. Basically the Laura Lee tone.

No problem being heard under a drummer and two guitarists who are in an appendage measuring contest on stage.
With a pick my Mini is too bright. I also turn down the Tone to 5 or 6.
This is a Beatles cover band BTW.

As a lifelong guitarist I hate to admit it, but it's true. We are always "measuring up" on stage. In the 70's, first it was a Twin, then a Super, then a Traynor, finally a Sunn Model T 150 with EL12s... loll
After that there was a lot of ringing in my ears (which I still have )

 

[GregLeSage]

And here is my little bass with new bridge (to add weight, I find it nosediving) and new strings.
I put rotosound rs77s but I can't intonate the E, with the [don't know the word, but the thing that I can move to increase or decrease the lenght of the string] crushing the spring. The E is still a little sharp at the octave.
I wondered if I can take off the spring to go further?

 

[andare]

View attachment 4680705 And here is my little bass with new bridge (to add weight, I find it nosediving) and new strings.
I put rotosound rs77s but I can't intonate the E, with the [don't know the word, but the thing that I can move to increase or decrease the lenght of the string] crushing the spring. The E is still a little sharp at the octave.
I wondered if I can take off the spring to go further?

The saddle.

Probably due to the bridge. Those high mass bridges can be problematic due to the bar at the end. Sometimes the Badass bridges require the neck to be shimmed.

I much prefer the classic bent plate design but you have a menacingly beautiful Mini right there.

 

[andare]

They actually DO fit. I was just upgrading pick-guards yesterday, and I'm still amazed that they DID fit in there. It's tight, and you have to be careful when your fitting/soldering them in, but yea. They can work. I'd also suggest you double check that factory wiring. Of course, the smaller Bourns pots are great! We used them on my "DAngelico SS" recently.

Good to know they fit. I would t want to hack at the cavity and nullify the shielding. My Mini is the quietest bass I have. When they shielded the cavity with the black paint they must have laid it on THICC.

 

[Mountain Mike]

Hi eveyone, a quick cosmetic change with the new pg (matte black 3 ply from our beloved and reactiv seller on ebay, 7 day to go from England to France!).
Today I wait for my himass fender bridge and I'm excited to try the flats I ordered...

I like that matte PG!
I've never been a big fan of black PGs because of them being glossy and therefore fingerprint magnets.

That matte one might make me change my mind!