The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[SBassman]

question - did you try and cut out the vinyl wrap to put directly on the bass or did you stick it to the pickguard and cut around it? i also have unskilled hands, and the second is what i'd do... since there's virtually no chance i could pull of the first.

or did i misremember and were you trying to wrap the entire bass?

I tried to cut around the pickguard.

And, the story gets worse. I decided to button it up, and now the wiring is broken. No audio.

This is when 180 dollar part kicks in.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... decided to button it up, and now the wiring is broken. No audio.
...

How did you manage that? When I had mine open, the solder connections were all solid. Where is the break?

 

[SBassman]

How did you manage that? When I had mine open, the solder connections were all solid. Where is the break?

I wasn't so lucky. Wiring looks pretty feeble to me. Break is at the jack. I don't have the hands, eyes, or solder gun to do it justice. The bass is down indefinitely until I can find a tech who will take it.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

I wasn't so lucky. Wiring looks pretty feeble to me. Break is at the jack. I don't have the hands, eyes, or solder gun to do it justice. The bass is down indefinitely until I can find a tech who will take it.

Soory to hear. Still don't understand how you snapped wires removing/reinstalling the pickguard. I can see maybe the pickup leads, but the jack is usually the most solid connection.

Too bad you're not in Germany. I'd invite you over for beers and bongs, and do it for you lickety split. Wiring a jack is 5 minutes work, tops. (says the guy who's been procrastinating wiring a kill switch, also 5 minutes work, for going on a week now)

 

[SBassman]

Soory to hear. Still don't understand how you snapped wires removing/reinstalling the pickguard. I can see maybe the pickup leads, but the jack is usually the most solid connection.

Too bad you're not in Germany. I'd invite you over for beers and bongs, and do it for you lickety split. Wiring a jack is 5 minutes work, tops. (says the guy who's been procrastinating wiring a kill switch, also 5 minutes work, for going on a week now)

Thanks. Would be great to have a buddy who could do this. [especially one offering beers and bongs]
I imagine it is something quick, but, my eyes and hands are shot, and I couldn't possibly do it.
[I know, because I tried a wiring job several years ago, and it did not end well. ]

 

[SBassman]

This is why they should take these 180 dollar builds, turn them into 250 dollar builds, and actually give me a bass that doesn't fail when I breathe on it. Very annoyed and disappointed.

But - I'll be back.

 

[Fairmont]

I snuck some time in during lunch and gave it a go.

Complete disaster for me. I'm either going out to buy Plasti Dip, or, buttoning her back up and bailing.

For my unskilled hands, that vinyl wrap is a no go for this type of project. Bummer. [I'm not surprised]

I'm thinking of seeing how well I can 3D print pickguards. They're super easy to design, and if printed in ABS plastic (essentially what Legos are made of) then it will be durable. Unfortunately, my printers can only go up to 200mm x 200mm, which is 8x8".

 

[SBassman]

I'm thinking of seeing how well I can 3D print pickguards. They're super easy to design, and if printed in ABS plastic (essentially what Legos are made of) then it will be durable. Unfortunately, my printers can only go up to 200mm x 200mm, which is 8x8".

I imagine the mini pickguard is bigger?

If it wasn’t I’d be sending you a plea with cash.

 

[knigel]

I'm thinking of seeing how well I can 3D print pickguards. They're super easy to design, and if printed in ABS plastic (essentially what Legos are made of) then it will be durable. Unfortunately, my printers can only go up to 200mm x 200mm, which is 8x8".

Could you do it in two parts maybe? Like a jazz bass?

 

[Fairmont]

I wouldn't charge money other than postage. The pickguard itself would only cost about 25-50 cents in plastic. it's cheap. Most pickguards would have to be printed in two parts. I'm experimenting with a design right now.

 

[Fairmont]

I wouldn't charge money other than postage. The pickguard itself would only cost about 25-50 cents in plastic. it's cheap. Most pickguards would have to be printed in two parts. I'm experimenting with a design right now.

This is one I worked up in about five minutes. It was based on a blurry photo of a mini P-bass. Ignore the inaccurate hole sizes and rough edges. But using an accurate cutout it would be easy to make different designs, logos and colors on the pick guard itself. Whether it would look good or not is a different question. 3D printed items tend to be rough, due to the printing process. But pick guards in general would be very easy.

 

[SBassman]

Well, I am having a hard time finding someone good to resuscitate my Mini. I theoretically have access to a pro - pro both in playing with national musicians, as well as, pro in teching for them. He did some wiring for me a few years ago, and he knows what he is doing. But, he is not easy to get a hold of.

Maybe one of you can help me. Have any of you opened it and looked at the wiring in detail?

I am going to attempt a picture later in the morning when the sun comes up.
But - the break was at the input jack. There is a short white wire on the input jack, connected on one end and just dangling - not connected to the other. Anyone want to venture a guess where it was previously connected? Looks like it must have broken right at the solder connection. The end of the white wire dangling doesn't have exposed wire, so that wire I would expect to see is, I imagine, underneath the solder ball of wherever this broke from.

Really want to bring this bass back up and play this weekend.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Well, I am having a hard time finding someone good to resuscitate my Mini. I theoretically have access to a pro - pro both in playing with national musicians, as well as, pro in teching for them. He did some wiring for me a few years ago, and he knows what he is doing. But, he is not easy to get a hold of.

Maybe one of you can help me. Have any of you opened it and looked at the wiring in detail?

I am going to attempt a picture later in the morning when the sun comes up.
But - the break was at the input jack. There is a short white wire on the input jack, connected on one end and just dangling - not connected to the other. Anyone want to venture a guess where it was previously connected? Looks like it must have broken right at the solder connection. The end of the white wire dangling doesn't have exposed wire, so that wire I would expect to see is, I imagine, underneath the solder ball of wherever this broke from.

Really want to bring this bass back up and play this weekend.

~
This is well within my skill set, but I am well within Canada, and BTW, I am well as well.

Well, well, well....

A pic or two of the guts should make the answer of where that wire goes more clear.

Is there also a black or other colour of wire still going somewhere from the jack ?

If yes, then to where ?

Then answer to that will help answer where the white wire needs to go.

One would think that somebody closer by to you could redo the one or two wires in question.
~

 

[Fairmont]

i got my bronco for $129 when they were selling for $149 on a holiday. if the mini isn't on sale, no problem - and i have my $40 of MF points to use

Wow, $129 for a Bronco would be sweet.

 

[pcake]

Wow, $129 for a Bronco would be sweet.

and i just paid a flat $150 for the squier mini P in red

i didn't use my points - we're saving them for a pedal my husband wants (it's his turn) - i just called and got a discount.

 

[Fairmont]

and i just paid a flat $150 for the squier mini P in red

i didn't use my points - we're saving them for a pedal my husband wants (it's his turn) - i just called and got a discount.

Through Musicians Friend?

 

[pcake]

Through Musicians Friend?

yep

which probably means it'll take an extra week to get here

 

[Volker Kirstein]

and i just paid a flat $150 for the squier mini P in red

i didn't use my points - we're saving them for a pedal my husband wants (it's his turn) - i just called and got a discount.

I'll be very interested in both of y'alls opinion on this little number. I think you will be well pleased.

 

[pcake]

Well, I am having a hard time finding someone good to resuscitate my Mini. I theoretically have access to a pro - pro both in playing with national musicians, as well as, pro in teching for them. He did some wiring for me a few years ago, and he knows what he is doing. But, he is not easy to get a hold of.

Maybe one of you can help me. Have any of you opened it and looked at the wiring in detail?

I am going to attempt a picture later in the morning when the sun comes up.
But - the break was at the input jack. There is a short white wire on the input jack, connected on one end and just dangling - not connected to the other. Anyone want to venture a guess where it was previously connected? Looks like it must have broken right at the solder connection. The end of the white wire dangling doesn't have exposed wire, so that wire I would expect to see is, I imagine, underneath the solder ball of wherever this broke from.

Really want to bring this bass back up and play this weekend.

i'm guessing it's the ground wire attached to the pot case, but it could attach to the pot itself. my husband emailed me the pdf for the american standard, and hoping that it's similar, i screencapped it - here it is
]

 

[SBassman]

i'm guessing it's the ground wire attached to the pot case, but it could attach to the pot itself. my husband emailed me the pdf for the american standard, and hoping that it's similar, i screencapped it - here it is
]
View attachment 3971299

Awesome. Thank you so much.