The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[TK4261]

TK, you are inching your way toward "none more black" territory!
Have you recorded something with the blades that you can duplicate with the Relentless pups?

I have a couple of YouTube video covers that I made with the Nordstrand Blade pickup in the Mini. I have already removed the blade pickup to freshen up the carbon shielding paint with a new coat. I do plan on making a new cover video in the next couple of weeks with the D'Marzio Relentless in it though

 

[RodRy]

I have a couple of YouTube video covers that I made with the Nordstrand Blade pickup in the Mini. I have already removed the blade pickup to freshen up the carbon shielding paint with a new coat. I do plan on making a new cover video in the next couple of weeks with the D'Marzio Relentless in it though

We have established a baseline!

 

[Big Dumb]

I have a couple of YouTube video covers that I made with the Nordstrand Blade pickup in the Mini. I have already removed the blade pickup to freshen up the carbon shielding paint with a new coat. I do plan on making a new cover video in the next couple of weeks with the D'Marzio Relentless in it though

What strings are we hearing here? Sounds great. Looking forward to the Relentless video

 

[TK4261]

What strings are we hearing here? Sounds great. Looking forward to the Relentless video

Thank you! I use the D'Addario Nickel EXL170S 45-100 short scale set for the Mini P. When I had the new TUSQ nut installed I had the tech set the nut up just for these strings. I like them and they seem to last

 

[TK4261]

I have the Relentless pickups installed now and so far they sound really good. I've tested them the last 2 days and I think I will keep them in the Mini and use the Nordstrand Blade pickup that was in it for a future project. I'm going to try to find some time this weekend to shoot a video.

 

[Brocephus]

Thank you! I use the D'Addario Nickel EXL170S 45-100 short scale set for the Mini P.......... I like them and they seem to last

Same here. They're all ive used, and I'm very happy with them.

 

[Mountain Mike]

Same here. They're all ive used, and I'm very happy with them.

The price is right too.
I've been finding it hard to spring for strings that approach 1/4 the purchase price of the instrument!

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Man I wish they offered this bass in colors other than the two (red and black) you see in every cheapo beginner guitar package at the big box stores.

That said, I still think I need one of these for a sofa/patio practice bass to accompany my Kala U-Bass. Of course the problem is I'll end up giving into the temptation to upgrade every component on the thing, turning it from a $200 bass into a $700 bass.

 

[andare]

Man I wish they offered this bass in colors other than the two (red and black) you see in every cheapo beginner guitar package at the big box stores.

That said, I still think I need one of these for a sofa/patio practice bass to accompany my Kala U-Bass. Of course the problem is I'll end up giving into the temptation to upgrade every component on the thing, turning it from a $200 bass into a $700 bass.

I don't think you'll need to upgrade anything if you get a good one. Maybe the pickup, which does have a boomy low end and a harsh high end but I keep the tone rolled back a bit and it sounds like Motown already and no foam needed since the string have short sustain anyway. The tuners are fine and so are the electronics. But who knows with these cheapies, production might be inconsistent. I know I got a good one, I just have to lower the nut slots.

Actually I think upgrading the pickguard is a good idea because it comes with a cheap plastic guard that's way too white. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on a vintage mint green one.
Oh and you will need regular sized strap buttons!

 

[SBassman]

I have been away from this thread for a long time.
So, Fender/Squier has not updated this in any way? No new colors, upgrades?

 

[RedHotFuzz]

I don't think you'll need to upgrade anything if you get a good one. Maybe the pickup, which does have a boomy low end and a harsh high end but I keep the tone rolled back a bit and it sounds like Motown already and no foam needed since the string have short sustain anyway. The tuners are fine and so are the electronics. But who knows with these cheapies, production might be inconsistent. I know I got a good one, I just have to lower the nut slots.

Actually I think upgrading the pickguard is a good idea because it comes with a cheap plastic guard that's way too white. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on a vintage mint green one.
Oh and you will need regular sized strap buttons!

Yeah, I think at a minimum I'll go with La Bella flatwounds, new pickguard and strap buttons to work with my Schaller S-Lock.

For those who have bought Mini P pickguards from earlpilanz on eBay, how are his tort pickguards? Do they look cheap and fake or do they look acceptably close to real tort?

Yeah, a $60 pickguard for a $200 bass sounds crazy, but there's not exactly a plethora of options for replacement pickguards for the Mini P. And yes, the stock white guard these come with look cheap and lame.

I checked out a red one at my local Guitar Center today and it appeared to be well-built - nice smooth fretwork on the neck and they said they'd do a free setup - but I want black, so who knows what I'll get when I order one in. I'll say the quality of the one I handled was leagues better than the Mini Strat I bought for my son some years ago. That thing was crap.

 

[J Posega]

Man I wish they offered this bass in colors other than the two (red and black) you see in every cheapo beginner guitar package at the big box stores.

That said, I still think I need one of these for a sofa/patio practice bass to accompany my Kala U-Bass. Of course the problem is I'll end up giving into the temptation to upgrade every component on the thing, turning it from a $200 bass into a $700 bass.

The bass is so cheap, I'm sure you can find someone to paint it another color.

 

[Rsteady]

Yeah man! I was the same, played a red one at guitar center, I thought it was so funny looking and cute when I saw it. And under $200!! Then played it, twice. Felt how solid the neck was, and sounded fat through an amp. Found this thread, saw what people were saying. Bam, ordered a black one from Sweetwater!! Like 4 days later it was mine!! Best $180 I've ever spent! So fun to play!

 

[lowplaces]

I don't think you'll need to upgrade anything if you get a good one. Maybe the pickup, which does have a boomy low end and a harsh high end but I keep the tone rolled back a bit and it sounds like Motown already and no foam needed since the string have short sustain anyway

Is it safe to assume a HPF will fix the boom ?

A local shop has one in stock and I'm tempted to go check it out.

 

[RodRy]

The bass is so cheap, I'm sure you can find someone to paint it another color.

You can even repaint it yourself. Plenty of YT videos how.

 

[andare]

Is it safe to assume a HPF will fix the boom ?

A local shop has one in stock and I'm tempted to go check it out.

Yes, it's literally what it's for but I don't have one yet and I use my amp's EQ to cut the boom if I need to - I love how deep the bass is but I cut it for the sake of my neighbors

 

[andare]

Yeah, I think at a minimum I'll go with La Bella flatwounds, new pickguard and strap buttons to work with my Schaller S-Lock.

For those who have bought Mini P pickguards from earlpilanz on eBay, how are his tort pickguards? Do they look cheap and fake or do they look acceptably close to real tort?

Yeah, a $60 pickguard for a $200 bass sounds crazy, but there's not exactly a plethora of options for replacement pickguards for the Mini P. And yes, the stock white guard these come with look cheap and lame.

I checked out a red one at my local Guitar Center today and it appeared to be well-built - nice smooth fretwork on the neck and they said they'd do a free setup - but I want black, so who knows what I'll get when I order one in. I'll say the quality of the one I handled was leagues better than the Mini Strat I bought for my son some years ago. That thing was crap.

I bought a Bronco PG form them and it's very high quality. Other members here have bout guards for the Mini and they fit correctly. They have a return policy anyway, says so on the guard itself.

 

[Brocephus]

.......Yeah, a $60 pickguard for a $200 bass sounds crazy......

This was an issue for me as well, so at the recommendation of someone here on the forum a while back, I got a can of Krylon Fusion spray paint, in satin black, and was very surprised and pleased with how well it came out.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

This was an issue for me as well, so at the recommendation of someone here on the forum a while back, I got a can of Krylon Fusion spray paint, in satin black, and was very surprised and pleased with how well it came out.
View attachment 5073648

That looks great!

 

[lowplaces]

Yes, it's literally what it's for but I don't have one yet and I use my amp's EQ to cut the boom if I need to - I love how deep the bass is but I cut it for the sake of my neighbors

Good deal. I have the Broughton Always On HPF, so I'm set there.