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The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

#3,901
J Posega said:
Some folks don't live close to a good tech. Some folks may have impediments that would make soldering difficult or impossible. Some folks are happy to support others that are trying to make a living.

If I buy a soldered wiring harness, I buy a one with solderless pickup connections so I can stick the pickup wires into the screw terminals, and part of that's because I like to try out different pickups in my builds. I've never had an issues with any solderless connections.
Click to expand...
Most harnesses don't have solderless connections.
Anyway harnesses are usually a ripoff because they include and advertise a special tone capacitor, as if it did anything to the tone. No doubt they include quality parts but anybody selling you an expensive tone cap is a paper-in-snake-oil salesperson.
 
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#3,902
andare said:
...but anybody selling you an expensive tone cap is a paper-in-snake-oil salesperson.
Click to expand...

I only buy the best capacitors; handmade, bespoke, artisinal.
I got a guy, who knows a guy, who knows this Amish guy who makes capcitors the old-fashioned way.
Makes his own paper and uses whale oil.

Anything for the toan.
 
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#3,903
I find this discussion on the quality of Mini P Bass wiring and components interesting. My take on this is, if you are happy with the bass as it comes as stock, leave the wiring and components alone.
However, if you decide to fit new more expensive custom pickups I would certainly take the opportunity to upgrade the wiring, pots, cap and jack socket as well. I'd want the signal line out to be the best I can make it.
Mike
 
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#3,906
Mikerr said:
I find this discussion on the quality of Mini P Bass wiring and components interesting. My take on this is, if you are happy with the bass as it comes as stock, leave the wiring and components alone.
However, if you decide to fit new more expensive custom pickups I would certainly take the opportunity to upgrade the wiring, pots, cap and jack socket as well. I'd want the signal line out to be the best I can make it.
Mike
Click to expand...

If the original pots and caps pass spec and the jack is secure, it should make no discernible difference to signal.

Your signal is going through so many other components after it leaves the bass that even having the conversation is ridiculous in my opinion.

The only reasoning I could buy is if you think the components will last longer and it gives you peace of mind.

The above is strictly my opinion. As always, feel free to flame away.
 
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#3,907
mellobud said:
If the original pots and caps pass spec and the jack is secure, it should make no discernible difference to signal.

Your signal is going through so many other components after it leaves the bass that even having the conversation is ridiculous in my opinion.

The only reasoning I could buy is if you think the components will last longer and it gives you peace of mind.

The above is strictly my opinion. As always, feel free to flame away.
Click to expand...

Generally I agree, "If it aint broke don't fix it".
Though if I was changing pickups as the poster said I might be inclined to switch out the electronics.
Though granted I'm talking from the perspective of one who usually buys pretty cheap instruments, either inexpensive used or cheap new. These tend to come with sub-standard non-branded pots.
And I like to tinker.
I don't get anything fancy, Alpha pots are fine for me.
 
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#3,908
Mountain Mike said:
Generally I agree, "If it aint broke don't fix it".
Though if I was changing pickups as the poster said I might be inclined to switch out the electronics.
Though granted I'm talking from the perspective of one who usually buys pretty cheap instruments, either inexpensive used or cheap new. These tend to come with sub-standard non-branded pots.
And I like to tinker.
I don't get anything fancy, Alpha pots are fine for me.
Click to expand...
I’d say that falls under the peace of mind umbrella, which I understand.
 
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#3,909
I got mine back from getting set up today. Went with the Mikro strings and a Dunlop .45 g. Replaced the pickguard, pickup covers, knobs, strap buttons and the output jack. I absolutely love it. It's so easy to play and it sounds great!
PXL_20220927_185540673.jpg
PXL_20220927_185532776.jpg
 
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#3,911
Hey y'all,
So I ordered some custom extra short scale strings for one of my basses, and the silks start right about the 80 cm mark. The problem is that I wanted .040-.100 diameter strings, and I got .045-.105.

Knowing that the Mini takes shorter strings, and you may have a hard time with getting them extra short, I suggest the following for anyone who is interested in a set of Pyramid Gold .045-.105 flat wound strings:

Measure up your bass and see if 80 cm 31.5" will fit on you instrument.

If it will, and you'd like to try these, PM me and we will work something out.
WrongStringsGrommit.JPG

Hate to see such nice strings go to waste, and I know I won't use them.
:facepalm:
 
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#3,912
Zombonaut said:
I got mine back from getting set up today. Went with the Mikro strings and a Dunlop .45 g. Replaced the pickguard, pickup covers, knobs, strap buttons and the output jack. I absolutely love it. It's so easy to play and it sounds great!View attachment 4827348 View attachment 4827349
Click to expand...
Links to the gold pickguard and pickup covers? I think earlpilanz on ebay has a gold PG but I can't find white pickup covers that fit, the ones I've bought before were always too large.
Thanks.
 
#3,913
andare said:
Links to the gold pickguard and pickup covers? I think earlpilanz on ebay has a gold PG but I can't find white pickup covers that fit, the ones I've bought before were always too large.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Screenshot_20220929-055324.png

WHITE PRECISION BASS/P-BASS PICKUP COVERS | eBay

Here's the source for the pickup covers. The pickguard was from earlpilanz and it's kind of hard to tell from the pics but I got the silver mirror guard.
 
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#3,915
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#3,916
PDW30 said:
Stupid question on pickup covers - do you just unscrew the pickups, replace the covers and put the screws back, or is it more complicated?
Click to expand...
You also have to solder the cover to the pickup. There’s the possibility of it becoming microphonic if there is a gap between the pickup and the cover. Hence the need for wax potting the pickup. Easy to do. YouTube.
 
#3,918
PDW30 said:
Stupid question on pickup covers - do you just unscrew the pickups, replace the covers and put the screws back, or is it more complicated?
Click to expand...

The plastic ones just slip on.

As far as metal ones I've never messed with them so I derfer to the below comment.
EatS1stBassist said:
You also have to solder the cover to the pickup. There’s the possibility of it becoming microphonic if there is a gap between the pickup and the cover. Hence the need for wax potting the pickup. Easy to do. YouTube.
Click to expand...
 
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#3,919
EatS1stBassist said:
You also have to solder the cover to the pickup. There’s the possibility of it becoming microphonic if there is a gap between the pickup and the cover. Hence the need for wax potting the pickup. Easy to do. YouTube.
Click to expand...
For metal covers, it's wise to solder them to the cover.

For plastic covers, the coils should just fit right it. I'd suggest super glue or hot glue to hold the coils inside the cover. If you use foam under the pickup coil, you don't necessarily need to glue the cover on, but I still recommend it.
 
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