AlexDelores

As much as I love this forum I definitely think it contributes to this. I gigged for 5 years within an acoustic duo with 1 bass which was an Ortega KT Walker acoustic bass. I then rejoined Basschat after a long absence and within 6 months I’d decided I ‘needed’ to go back to electric bass so got a Fender Mustang. I then ‘needed’ a backup, even though I’d never ‘needed’ one before. Now, I’m taking 2 basses to every gig and a mini pedalboard. Granted, I do now ‘need’ that setup. But, the problem was never a problem until I decided I had a problem.

What’s the black one? Is it Short Scale or is the 5123 just massive? Love this pair!

Wow! What a finish 🤤

My pair of shorties. The Gretsch was bought recently as a cheap back up to the Mustang on the basis that it will basically live in its case in the van… But, I’ve quickly come to realise that although I really like the Mustang. I prefer the Gretsch in almost every way to the Fender. The neck is superb, now as I’ve found a comfortable strap position, the small body makes it a doddle to play live, it sounds so much fuller/warmer than the Fender and I personally think the finish is gorgeous. So, the question now is whether to move on the Fender and try something new. Or, have it sitting in the van as my more expensive back up bass.

I know this is a weird question. But, do short scale hollow bodies actually feel like you’re playing a short scale? I always assumed because of the size of the body that they sit on a strap and feel more like a full scale bass? God, that sounds weirder to read back than it did in my head 😅

I really don’t mind the shape. I just hate that it says Marcus Miller on it. I really wish they just had the S on the top. The MM name on the headstock makes them look so cheap to me. I know it’s very shallow, but, I just can’t shake it!

Thanks! I sometimes look at getting a standalone preamp but I keep coming back to the fact that the B3 gets the job done. Considering I’ve never updated it or spent more than 15 mins tweaking a patch, the B3 does a lovely job. But, it’s only really used as a preamp and a little chorus. My foot is too busy hitting a bass drum pedal for the entire set to be changing through lots of effects 😅

I did this on Friday and love to go straight out with a new bass. Best way to find the kinks is to give it a run as it comes! Looks like a fantastic gig that!

I previously asked for people’s options on an another thread about Squier Broncos as I was looking for a cheap backup bass to my Vintera Mustang. I was all but ready to order a Bronco and then this little beauty popped up on Bass Bros… for £55 more than a Bronco less shipping. I did something unlike myself and just pulled the trigger almost immediately on the basis that even if it’s not amazing, it’s a backup and will almost always live in its case in the van. I ordered the bass on Tuesday and it was delivered in an incredibly padded box on Friday morning. I gigged it straight away on Friday and Saturday night and I’ve got to say, I’m blown away by this little thing. The finish in particular is beautiful and it’s so easy to play. Possibly the best set up I’ve ever had on a bass, not a single clank or fret buzz, but with a lovely low action. It’s a wider neck than my mustang which took a minute to get used to but otherwise, It was so easy to play out of the box. I think it will likely continue to be my backup as I still think I prefer the Mustang. Strangely, although the Gretsch is a smaller overall length because of the smaller body, It feels bigger than the Mustang and Im finding the Mustang sits more comfortably when playing standing. Again, I find the tone is so nice but, for whatever reason (likely because I’ve been dialling in the Mustang for so long) I find the Mustang just cuts through ever so slightly better with our Amp-less setup. But, I’ll definitely get it out of the van more than I had initially planned! oh, and bonus, my 4 year old had an absolute blast playing with the mountain of bubble wrap whilst I inspected and noodled for 10 mins! Anyway, one happy chappy. These are well worth a punt if a 2nd hand one comes up! Alex

Thank you, I do appreciate that! And it may well end up being the route I go down. But, given that I can get the bass and a case for less than the cost of a used mustang I’m essentially trying to establish if the bronco is a useable bass off the shelf or if it’s an absolute dog unless you chuck another ££’s at it. Unless my Mustang fails/ needs repairs, the bass will never be gigged so essentially, I want to know from peoples experience if i can ‘get away’ with it in case of emergency or if it’s not worth even bothering.

Does anyone have any experience of the Squier Sonic Bronco? If so, how do they play as a stock instrument? Capable of a few gigs or just a bedroom bass? I appreciate it’s a cheap bass so isn’t going to be incredible. But, I’m looking for a backup for my Vintera Mustang and these look like they might fit the bill. Information online seems to lean towards them being pretty good for what they are, but only after a few mods. And, although I do quite like idea of trying to make it look like a music master… with a really busy year of gigs ahead, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to touch it until early next year other than a basic setup. I basically need something that holds tune relatively well and doesn’t hum to high heaven if it’s ever called upon to be used live.. My other options are to hang fire until a 2nd hand mustang becomes available nearby (or another SS) But, as the bass will likely spend 80% of its life in a case in the back of the van, I’m not looking to spend loads. Any info is greatly appreciated

I like this a lot!

I saw that on Facebook too and I’m fairly sure it’s the same Bass/Seller as the one in the Basschat classifieds. No experience with them personally but lots of folk seem to sing their praises quite highly.

Great stuff, thanks guys. Will give this a go when the next run of shows is done 🙏

Apologies if this is a stupid question… I’m looking at doing this on my Vintera Mustang, Is it just as simple as putting copper tape inside the cavities, or does it require soldering anything. Looking at some YouTube videos, it appears to require soldering? Again, sorry if I’m missing something obvious.

Awesome! Now you come to mention it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in the flesh. I also now realise why I like the flamed top Sire basses so much. Very QMT-esq!

That QMT is gorgeous! I remember seeing a picture of it in the Fender catalogue on the way home from the Birmingham Music Show (likely in 2004) and falling in love! It was a bit of a Wayne’s world ‘It will be mine’ moment… I was 13 at the time, so needless to say i didn’t have the funds for one. Completely forgot about them until seeing this picture 😍

Really nice read! Thanks Chris! Funny now you’ve said it, I can just see all of the baggy shorted Nu-Metal bass players and they’re all wielding Warwick’s! Congrats on the Dolphin.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Can be really daunting having to change things up when you feel like you’ve got a good gig already that works well. Could you find some local jam nights or open mics and just drop in and play the odd song? Could be a good way to get to know other local musos. And, keep you playing a bit without all the agro of setting up again from scratch? Think of it as a positive that it may allow you to improve/develop your playing by working with other musos.

I recently found one of these in my local music shop and did a little digging. Also posted on here about them… It appears they are Fender Squier Series, not to be confused with Squier by Fender. For reference. My local music shop is selling one for about £360 and it’s in really good condition.

If I didn’t have an 8 week old, I’d of already ordered one 😅 Feels far too good of a price to be true 👀 https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/products/joe-dart?variant=41532195831923

Yeah I did wonder about the components and whether there was money saved in parts hence the ‘Squier series’ range… I read that due a fire in the Mexico factory that they were primarily made from overstocked USA necks/bodies and shipped to Mex for assembly and components… this is the paragraph I found on a Squier forum but I can’t speak for how reliable it is … “The guitars with the black label consisted mostly of overstock american made Fender necks and bodies. The parts were shipped to Mexico for assembly with mexican made pickups and far eastern hardware and electronics. The overall quality of these guitars turned out to be below the Squiers made in Japan and Korea, whose production came to an end around the time the mexican made guitars with the black label surfaced, yet above Squiers made in China and Indonesia, whose production had not yet begun at the time. The guitars ended up on the american and european market for just about as much as a guitar from the regular “Standard” series would cost at the time.” I actually really like the one piece pick guard and think the black logo looks cooler than the silver one on my MIM jazz. Perhaps it’s just that it looks unique and a bit like a mark hoppus that I like rather than it actually being aesthetically pleasing 😂 It appears to be stock and would have been in production before Marks signature was released, so could well be where he got the inspiration from.

I saw one of these at my local music shop today. Really, really cool looking Jazz but the pick guard had me thinking it was a Mark Hoppus sig. Little look on Google and it appears to be a ‘Squier Special’ Fender series from 1994. Not to be confused by ‘Squier by Fender’. Seems that they were relatively limited but not massively any different from the stock Jazz bass around that time. Has anyone got any more info on these and/or has anyone got one/played one that can give any more info on them. I was actually just taking my Mustang to get the electrics looked at so wasn’t actually shopping! I already have 1 MIM Jazz bass that is rarely played as I’m mostly a short scale player now, so not sure I need another one. But… Note. It isn’t this exact bass, photo is from Google. It actually looks a lot less like a toy in person.