The Squier Mini Precision Bass Club

[SBassman]

I really love cleaning up the fret ends. It's something I have to had to do many times on low end instruments, while being very easy to do and very satisfying. Instant gratification with the result being a creamy smooth neck edge. Highly recommended. Anyone can do it. I am proof.

 

[andare]

I really love cleaning up the fret ends. It's something I have to had to do many times on low end instruments, while being very easy to do and very satisfying. Instant gratification with the result being a creamy smooth neck edge. Highly recommended. Anyone can do it. I am proof.

Same here. Fret end files and micro mesh pads work miracles.
I've had to do it to every one of my basses and guitars - Harley Benton, Squiers and MIM Fenders - and they all feel like custom shop instruments.
In fact I still have to do it to my new Player Precision but that one also has fret sprout so I'm still conjuring up the balls to take a file to it. Luckily I learned to restore satin finishes on maple necks on the Mini P and the Bronco, again using those magical micro mesh pads.

Comfortable frets and a good setup are what makes people "feel the quality" on expensive instruments. That's the reason why Fender only does that to its expensive American guitars. But ssh don't tell anybody or they'll secretly disappear me in the night...

 

[pistonrod8]

I really love cleaning up the fret ends. It's something I have to had to do many times on low end instruments, while being very easy to do and very satisfying. Instant gratification with the result being a creamy smooth neck edge. Highly recommended. Anyone can do it. I am proof.

Agreed. Good fret ends make all the difference.

 

[Frank Vozak]

It is interesting that you mention that Fender only dresses frets and does a precise setup on American instruments: I always wondered if 1967 Mustang Bass and Jazz Bass truly felt better than the three squier electric basses that has passed through my hands--you have confirmed my supposition. (oh, those Fenders azre long gone)

 

[DavesnothereCA]

It is interesting that you mention that Fender only dresses frets and does a precise setup on American instruments: I always wondered if 1967 Mustang Bass and Jazz Bass truly felt better than the three squier electric basses that has passed through my hands--you have confirmed my supposition. (oh, those Fenders azre long gone)

~
This is where places such as Sweetwater, which [I'm sure you know] does this 55 point exam/prep/setup of each individual guitar which they sell for $299 USD and up, including weighing it and posting the weight, along with a web page photo gallery, can help out with some of those instruments, mayhaps even with the American-built ones.

It's a shame that Fender will not let them sell to Canada [yes, I understand why], because what SW does with their stock removes much of the risk of ordering a guitar online.
~

 

[andare]

~
This is where places such as Sweetwater, which [I'm sure you know] does this 55 point exam/prep/setup of each individual guitar which they sell for $299 USD and up, including weighing it and posting the weight, along with a web page photo gallery, can help out with some of those instruments, mayhaps even with the American-built ones.

It's a shame that Fender will not let them sell to Canada [yes, I understand why], because what SW does with their stock removes much of the risk of ordering a guitar online.
~

At least you're not in Australia. Those guys get gipped on everything!

 

[SBassman]

Same here. Fret end files and micro mesh pads work miracles.
I've had to do it to every one of my basses and guitars - Harley Benton, Squiers and MIM Fenders - and they all feel like custom shop instruments.
In fact I still have to do it to my new Player Precision but that one also has fret sprout so I'm still conjuring up the balls to take a file to it. Luckily I learned to restore satin finishes on maple necks on the Mini P and the Bronco, again using those magical micro mesh pads.

Comfortable frets and a good setup are what makes people "feel the quality" on expensive instruments. That's the reason why Fender only does that to its expensive American guitars. But ssh don't tell anybody or they'll secretly disappear me in the night...

What brand and type of micro mesh pads do you use?

 

[andare]

What brand and type of micro mesh pads do you use?

These Micro-Mesh Abrasive Pads, Schleifpads Micro Mesh 1500-12000, Modellbau, Airbrush | eBay

 

[DavesnothereCA]

At least you're not in Australia. Those guys get gipped on everything!

~
Thanks.

I'll warn my cousins.
~

 

[pistonrod8]

Ok. Fellas... Ladies...

I have been in talks with a few machine shops about getting a gold anodized aluminum pickguard made for my mini. It's going well, but it's not cost prohibitive to only get one of these made. Quantity discounts are the way to go, plus there is a $100 minumum order to do the gold anodize. So, i'm thinking I could have 4 or 5 of these made and spread that cost out. I will sell them AT COST to you, my Mini brethren. I won't make any money on these.

I would have to know FOR SURE there would be at least 4 people who would be in on this.

I should have quotes back this week on the material cost and will be able to provide a price then.

Any takers?

Ok, so project gold anodized pickguard is moving along meow. My machinist says he's loading up the waterjet with material and finalizing the CAD file to start cutting these out. No price yet, but at least things are moving along!!

 

[SBassman]

Ok, so project gold anodized pickguard is moving along meow. My machinist says he's loading up the waterjet with material and finalizing the CAD file to start cutting these out. No price yet, but at least things are moving along!!

What are the chances of getting some pics of these getting cut?

 

[pistonrod8]

What are the chances of getting some pics of these getting cut?

View attachment 4090577

He told me they were already done. I'll get them in hand soon.

 

[Ryon]

New owner of a Squier Mini Precision bass! I bought it with the intention of modding it, and mod it I did.

The bass arrived from Sweetwater with perfect setup and played and sounded great... but I got straight to work anyways

Here are the modifications I’ve made:
-Graftech Nut and Saddles
-Pyramid Gold Flatwounds
-painted the pickguard matte black
-installed Fender Original series pups

I can’t put it down... and my main players that sit next to it are a Tony Franklin Fretted P, and a Texas Tea Ultra Jazz.

 

[pistonrod8]

New owner of a Squier Mini Precision bass! I bought it with the intention of modding it, and mod it I did.

The bass arrived from Sweetwater with perfect setup and played and sounded great... but I got straight to work anyways

Here are the modifications I’ve made:
-Graftech Nut and Saddles
-Pyramid Gold Flatwounds
-painted the pickguard matte black
-installed Fender Original series pups

I can’t put it down... and my main players that sit next to it are a Tony Franklin Fretted P, and a Texas Tea Ultra Jazz.

View attachment 4091502 View attachment 4091503

Looks great!

 

[Ryon]

Looks great!

Thanks! It plays and sounds even better!

 

[ClusterFlux]

New owner of a Squier Mini Precision bass! I bought it with the intention of modding it, and mod it I did.

The bass arrived from Sweetwater with perfect setup and played and sounded great... but I got straight to work anyways

Here are the modifications I’ve made:
-Graftech Nut and Saddles
-Pyramid Gold Flatwounds
-painted the pickguard matte black
-installed Fender Original series pups

I can’t put it down... and my main players that sit next to it are a Tony Franklin Fretted P, and a Texas Tea Ultra Jazz.

View attachment 4091502 View attachment 4091503

How did you paint the pickguard?

And how much of a difference did the pickup change make? I am still waiting on Norstrands....

 

[Frank Vozak]

New owner of a Squier Mini Precision bass! I bought it with the intention of modding it, and mod it I did.

The bass arrived from Sweetwater with perfect setup and played and sounded great... but I got straight to work anyways

Here are the modifications I’ve made:
-Graftech Nut and Saddles
-Pyramid Gold Flatwounds
-painted the pickguard matte black
-installed Fender Original series pups

I can’t put it down... and my main players that sit next to it are a Tony Franklin Fretted P, and a Texas Tea Ultra Jazz.

View attachment 4091502 View attachment 4091503

How ae the Pyramid gold flatwounds working out. . At some point I want to change the string on my Mini since roundwounds are really tough on my . I have read the posts about problems with the E string on many stringssets. Do the strings fit on tuning pegs properly:

 

[SBassman]

Next tweaks coming:

I decided against finish on the headstock since there already is Some finish there.

But, next week I will be adding stain and finish to the fretboard.
Plus, I am now looking for single screw thumb rests - where you can attach them using a screw hole of the pickguard. I found one on eBay, but it is a bit pricey, and I want to see everything out there before choosing.

Any pointers out there to small, single screw thumb rests?

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Next tweaks coming:

I decided against finish on the headstock since there already is Some finish there.

But, next week I will be adding stain and finish to the fretboard.

Plus, I am now looking for single screw thumb rests - where you can attach them using a screw hole of the pickguard. I found one on eBay, but it is a bit pricey, and I want to see everything out there before choosing.

Any pointers out there to small, single screw thumb rests?

~
What kind of finish ?
~

 

[SBassman]

Tiny bit of stain and wipe on finish. Basic Minwax stuff.