Keep us posted. When we identify an actual affordable source they can have my money for two pickguards.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club
- Thread starter sabre79
- Start date
#aggravated
Just tried to put EB Slinky Nickel 100-45 on one of mine, and, the 100 came apart after starting to wind it on the post. Argh.
I just ordered a set of Mikro strings. I believe Volker has said that the first 3 strings fit.
Argh.
Just tried to put EB Slinky Nickel 100-45 on one of mine, and, the 100 came apart after starting to wind it on the post. Argh.
I just ordered a set of Mikro strings. I believe Volker has said that the first 3 strings fit.
Argh.
Yeah - I'm going to combine the Mikro set with the G of the EB set. If that works, I'll surrender and just use that. Very surprised that the 100 of the EB failed.
The short scale Chromes arrived this morning. The low E has a half wrap around the post and there's silk on the saddles but that doesn't seem to be a problem. They're definitely lower tension than the Fenders of the same gauge but finally this is a bass I can play. I hope I never have to touch roundwounds again, ewww.
With so many people playing Mustangs it's strange that there are so few short scale gauges. Even a 30" bass would benefit from thicker strings. Fender doesn't even make flats for short scales.
Still haven't pulled the trigger on nut files. On the one hand it's silly to spend so much money on tools I'll use maybe 5 times in my life. On the other hand I can't find a decent tech worth a dime over here. I know more from watching videos. My friends pay money to have their instrument set up (after I offered to do it for free and teach them too) and then I check it and something is off. Off my high horse now
With so many people playing Mustangs it's strange that there are so few short scale gauges. Even a 30" bass would benefit from thicker strings. Fender doesn't even make flats for short scales.
Still haven't pulled the trigger on nut files. On the one hand it's silly to spend so much money on tools I'll use maybe 5 times in my life. On the other hand I can't find a decent tech worth a dime over here. I know more from watching videos. My friends pay money to have their instrument set up (after I offered to do it for free and teach them too) and then I check it and something is off. Off my high horse now
The short scale Chromes arrived this morning. The low E has a half wrap around the post and there's silk on the saddles but that doesn't seem to be a problem. They're definitely lower tension than the Fenders of the same gauge but finally this is a bass I can play. I hope I never have to touch roundwounds again, ewww.
With so many people playing Mustangs it's strange that there are so few short scale gauges. Even a 30" bass would benefit from thicker strings. Fender doesn't even make flats for short scales.
Still haven't pulled the trigger on nut files. On the one hand it's silly to spend so much money on tools I'll use maybe 5 times in my life. On the other hand I can't find a decent tech worth a dime over here. I know more from watching videos. My friends pay money to have their instrument set up (after I offered to do it for free and teach them too) and then I check it and something is off. Off my high horse now
The ability to take total control over the setup of your bass, independently, is, IMHO, worth the investment in the nut files.
There are lots of hacks out there who would love to hack your bass while taking your money.
If you can find someone who will actually take the job in, and then, actually give you your bass back in the same year.
Or, you can enjoy doing it yourself, anytime, with instant results.
I'm not a traditionally handy guy. Lots of stuff in the house I pay someone else to do because it's generally outside of my comfort and knowledge zone. But I have really enjoyed learning about and setting up my basses myself. If I can do it, anyone can.
~
Hard to believe, isn't it ?
But like explaining many of life's other mysteries, follow the money.
As many of us [aging] short scale players as there are getting to be, there are still more who play long scale, and they get at least a bit more respect from the string makers than we do.
There are a few exceptions, such as LaBella, who do make sets in several choices of gauges for short and medium scale basses, but many retailers do not carry their full line of products.
Again, it's a money thing - money tied up in inventory.
Another option, GHS Brite Flats come in a decent gauge/tension [49-108] for short [30"] scale basses [I chose them for my USA Gibson SG bass, and IIRC for a briefly owned Ibanez Mikro], and are one of the few times that the only choice of gauge in a short [or medium] scale string set IS heavy enough for what you and I [and a growing group of other players] see to be correct, to avoid floppiness of feel and/or instability of tuning and intonation.
Yes, as you said, 30" scale basses [and shorter, such as the Squier Mini-P] would definitely benefit from a heavier gauge choice of strings.
There ARE some of us who do not just blindly buy what scant choice of product which is out there.
To leverage the baseball analogy, the problem is, nobody wants to build it, to see whether we come.
And we ARE out here.
~
Last edited:
~
What strings DO come on an Ibanez Mikro bass, and how are they different from the a la carte ones ?
~
I don't think that is well known, even inside the Mikro thread here.
Everyone knows that the stock strings are Different than the ones on Amazon, and generally, it sounds like they are Better than the stock, but, I don't think much more is known. [who really makes them, how they differ]
The Amazon ones are Coated, but even at the Ibanez website, there is zero info on what that means.
I don't own a Mini P nor anything else I could put them on, so you'll understand if I refrain from conducting the experiment myself but, as I've said upthread, you should try and see if the lowest four strings from the Ernie Ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set fit:
Ernie Ball 2628 Regular Slinky 9-string Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.105
Search as I might, there is still no definitive word on where the lowest two strings taper at (only that they do in fact taper), but there is a reasonable chance that they (happen to) taper where the Squier actually needs them to.
For what it's worth, one reviewer on Thomann says that the untapered winding of the .105 extends right to the nut on their Ibanez RG-9 nine-string guitar, which is 28" + string-through-body. So, yeah: no guarantee, but if I were you (guys), I'd give it a try.
Ernie Ball 2628 Regular Slinky 9-string Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.105
Search as I might, there is still no definitive word on where the lowest two strings taper at (only that they do in fact taper), but there is a reasonable chance that they (happen to) taper where the Squier actually needs them to.
For what it's worth, one reviewer on Thomann says that the untapered winding of the .105 extends right to the nut on their Ibanez RG-9 nine-string guitar, which is 28" + string-through-body. So, yeah: no guarantee, but if I were you (guys), I'd give it a try.
No one knows! All we know is that the strings sold as Ibanez Mikro brand are not the same as what Mikro basses are strung with at the factory.
You're right about setting up. I want total control over my instrument and I can "have it back" right away. Techs have also tried to change my set up because they think they know better. Like the guy who told me Stratocaster bridges are not supposed to float...I told him "dude, I set it up and it stays in tune perfectly. I know more than you!"The ability to take total control over the setup of your bass, independently, is, IMHO, worth the investment in the nut files.
There are lots of hacks out there who would love to hack your bass while taking your money.
If you can find someone who will actually take the job in, and then, actually give you your bass back in the same year.
Or, you can enjoy doing it yourself, anytime, with instant results.
I'm not a traditionally handy guy. Lots of stuff in the house I pay someone else to do because it's generally outside of my comfort and knowledge zone. But I have really enjoyed learning about and setting up my basses myself. If I can do it, anyone can.
The ability to take total control over the setup of your bass, independently, is, IMHO, worth the investment in the nut files.
There are lots of hacks out there who would love to hack your bass while taking your money.
If you can find someone who will actually take the job in, and then, actually give you your bass back in the same year.
Or, you can enjoy doing it yourself, anytime, with instant results.
I'm not a traditionally handy guy. Lots of stuff in the house I pay someone else to do because it's generally outside of my comfort and knowledge zone. But I have really enjoyed learning about and setting up my basses myself. If I can do it, anyone can.
You convinced me to get nut files. Remembering your wiring issues, I do also recommend anyone to get some heatshrink tubing, good pliers/cutters a soldering iron and to learn a bit about instrument electronics. For starters, this short lesson on StewMac is pretty cool for the newbie.
I bought the Mini thinking I might have to do extensive work to make it playable. Turns out it was good to go but it's a great learning platform before you mess up your nice guitars
Unfortunately my favorite luthier supply store is out of bass nut files until next year so I either buy the individual black Hosco files (I think they're supposed to work with a magnetic handle) or suck it up and buy the 3-file set at a higher price from another vendor.
StewMac is a fantastic resource and Dan Erlewine is a true artist.
Have you noticed a difference after shielding it with copper tape? Mine is totally silent as it is with the (I guess) shielding paint. Another job I thought would be necessary but isn't.
Great job.
Later my Mikro strings will arrive and I will Volkerize one of my Basses.
Will report results tonight.
“Volkerize” - the process needed a proper name.
Great job.
Later my Mikro strings will arrive and I will Volkerize one of my Basses.
Will report results tonight.
*facepalm*
I won't know for awhile. My Nordstrand's arrive today. I'm going on a trip. When I get back, I have to teach myself how to solder.
I think the shielding paint is enough. I was just bored, and had the tape laying around.
I won't be able to do anything, until my pickguard gets back from it's vacation to Arizona.
Last edited:
