The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[Big Dumb]

View attachment 4935716
I just installed one of these prewired harnesses in my Mini P. It wasnt that I was particularly unhappy with the factory electronics, it was probably just another case of the dreaded Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS).
I got it from a highly reviewed ebay vendor called performancemusic (or something like that) for about $39 delivered (plus tax). Its made with 250k CTS pots,Switchcraft jack, Orangedrp drop cap, and a big selling point with this particular one is that it included a set of nice knurled steel knobs, making this the best deal I could find (the original knobs wont fit the new pot shafts, and seem to run at least another $10,plus shipping).
I was kind of expecting to not notice much difference, but when i plugged into my practice amp to jam along with youtube backing tracks, it sounded noticeably fuller, louder, and just plain better. I doubt this was merely psychological, since I'd installed guitar pickups, and even loaded pickguards before (in strats and teles), and often felt like it didnt change much at all, and almost expected that here, as well. Naturally, I made sure to keep the amp settings unchanged.
The only downside was that the wiring diagram in the ad didnt perfectly reflect the actual product, or fully illustrate what went where. I had to enlist the help of my more experienced brother, and it still took some research and brain teasing, but we finally got it dialed in.
Anyway, that's my report!

Did you need to enlarge the cavity for the bigger pots?

 

[Brocephus]

Did you need to enlarge the cavity for the bigger pots?

Not exactly. As I'd read in other comments, the larger pots will (barely) fit inside, width-wise. But, the bottom is a tiny bit too shallow, and the capacitor keeps the tone pot raised up a tiny bit , keeping that back/bottom portion of the PG from laying perfectly flat. It's not raised up an obnoxious amount, and my black PG seems to help it blend in, but its there, and might bug some folks.
According to my measurements, theres not enough wood down there to allow any more to be removed, and again, it's not jacked WAY up, so I can live with it.

 

[Brocephus]

Stupid question: do you have to solder the pickup wires in?

Hey,sorry so late replying. The unit I got didnt have any wires on it that went to the pickups, we had to re-use the factory wires. But yeah, they required soldering.

 

[Big Dumb]

Not exactly. As I'd read in other comments, the larger pots will (barely) fit inside, width-wise. But, the bottom is a tiny bit too shallow, and the capacitor keeps the tone pot raised up a tiny bit , keeping that back/bottom portion of the PG from laying perfectly flat. It's not raised up an obnoxious amount, and my black PG seems to help it blend in, but its there, and might bug some folks.
According to my measurements, theres not enough wood down there to allow any more to be removed, and again, it's not jacked WAY up, so I can live with it.

Hmmm ok. I’ll postpone that project for a bit

 

[J Posega]

Hmmm ok. I’ll postpone that project for a bit

You can get quality mini pots. Alpha is a popular brand that's found in many effects pedals.

One could also use a smaller capacitor or mount it along the side of the pot. As long as it's connected to the solder lug and the pot casing, the body of the capacitor can be pretty much wherever.

 

[Brocephus]

The capacitor wouldn't fit along side the pot without routing out the cavity walls a bit. Not a major issue I wouldn't think, but something to factor in to a new project.
I'd even considered ( only semi-seriously) the possibility of routing out the bottom of the cavity, all the way through, and just adding a small backplate. But that's a bit more of a surgical endeavor, that I dont feel is justified by the small gap in the PG fit.

 

[andare]

Bourns makes quality 16mm pots. I've never used them but it's a very good brand. I'm happy with the full-size pots I've used.
Alpha pots work very well in pedals. No reason they shouldn't work just as well in a bass.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

You can get quality mini pots. Alpha is a popular brand that's found in many effects pedals.

One could also use a smaller capacitor or mount it along the side of the pot. As long as it's connected to the solder lug and the pot casing, the body of the capacitor can be pretty much wherever.

Bourns is a good one.

 

[Mountain Mike]

Interesting. I wouldn't have paid a penny for that. Cloth covered wire is garbage and should be banned...

BUT THE TOAN!!!!
Leo used cloth!!!
etc.

What's so often forgotten is that Leo (and large scale manufactureres generally) used whatever was/is avilable AND cheapest.
It used to be that cloth insulation was the cheapest, ergo it was used. Now-a-days it's the thin poly coated stuff.

If I'm doing it fresh, I use silicone insulated wire because it's flexible and I find it easy to use.

 

[andare]

I rewired my Squier Jazzmaster yesterday. I used Switchcraft switches: just as jiggly as the stock ones. The Fender branded CTS pot jiggles and makes a mechanical noise while the Alpha pots are smooth and silent.
Really not impressed. Don't know if quality is going down or I was just unlucky.

I really like the CTS pots that have a dimple. They above the perfect resistance for me for the volume knob in guitars to Control gain. I don't use the volume knob on bass.

I only use silicone wire in my pedals because the insulation doesn't melt.

 

[808P123]

Dropped in the LaBellas today. They rule. This bass is such a sleeper.

 

[Rsteady]

Got my set too!!

 

[cashmoneywill]

How’s the tension on the new labellas? Wondering if I should switch out the chromes.

 

[PDW30]

How’s the tension on the new labellas? Wondering if I should switch out the chromes.

My red still has the factory strings. Hhhmm ... maybe ...

 

[4FrankP]

What's are some tuners that would fit the mini p?

 

[andare]

What's are some tuners that would fit the mini p?

Gotoh 707 and the Hipshot mini clovers IIRC

 

[Yetta Nudder]

Gotoh 707 and the Hipshot mini clovers IIRC

So do they drop in without modification? I can manage different screw positions, but I won't be reaming out the headstock.

 

[andare]

So do they drop in without modification? I can manage different screw positions, but I won't be reaming out the headstock.

Pretty sure they do but the Hipshots have two sizes, one of which fits the Mini. The info is in this thread if you're willing to do a search.

 

[TK4261]

Hipshot ultralite 3/8" tuners fit. I added about a wrap + 3/4 of HVAC tape to my Hipshot Ultralite Lolipop tuners and they fit nice and snug and the screw holes also lined up.

 

[honeydorick]

Hi everyone, I did the same thing only with black clover leaf hip shots. They worked Perfecty. I have found a high mass bridge that fits the Mini P screw holes perfectly. It’s ordered from Saphu music in China.From Ali express. Takes a month to get here, but well worth the wait. It’s very cheap but it works perfectly in my opinion just as good as the expensive ones. I recently de fretted another mini P base and I ordered two more of these bridges in black. This defrett project came out great.I am trying to be an Amature luthier.Sound and intonation is spot on. I filled the slots with maple veneer and used a 9.5 radius block and a leveling beam to sand it down. I will never go back to a Fretted base again.With nylon flatt wounds this thing sounds too good to be true just like an upright bass. If you’re old-school like me it’s perfect.The feel is amazing.you can sculpt your own sound.Jaco was right by ripping out his frets.Wish I had done this 30 years ago.Dont be afraid to try fretless.It's amazing.