Buckin' Bronco

[kidbsides]

Anybody have thoughts on the short scale Squier Bronco Bass? I've always wanted a Fender Musicmaster but can't afford one. These Bronco's run $150 at musician's friend. I've heard the stock pickup on the Bronco isn't so great, like I'd need to replace it with a humbucker -- and worry the stock set-up (action and whatnot) won't be so hot. Are there places that offer free set-up with purchase? Good/bad experiences with the Bronco? I've always liked (not loved) my Squiers through the years.

 

[rory]

Its funny you should mention the buckin' bronco. Every year fender does a promotion with its venders where you can sell fender stuff and keep the receipts and earn fender bucks. I got a bronco bass free last year. I really like it. It was my first short scale bass and theres a lot of different tones on a shortie compared to a regular bass. To me, its a whole lot more midrangey with lots of attack. It cuts a little more too. You're right, the stock stetup was garbage, and the pickup is noisy, but acceptable. $150 is pretty cheap for a bass, but I like mine.
Rory

 

[kidbsides]

Did you have the guitar setup by a tech or just live with it? High action drives me crazy...

 

[oh_the_blood]

I just wrote a thread about the Gretsch junior bass which i really liked.
It was better than any other bass i tried at guitar center, and Im sure its way better than any squier.

p.s. hows your set up working for you? pretty soon im gonna get a powerbook and would like to record stuff on it instead of my stand alone, is the mobile pre working out for you?

 

[Dani Pace]

Have you noticed that short scale basses (no brand in particular) are a little touchy when tuning? Not that this is bad, it just requires a little more patience while tuning, any way, short scale basses are a lot easier to play, at least from a guitarist point of view.

 

[rory]

Well, I did it myself, as thats my job at work. And I would agree that they are slightly temperamental when tuning, but really the guitar is such an imperfect instrument anyway. Its not THAT bad. I really like playing on a short scale, more so than a regular scale bass.
Rory

 

[Monkey Allen]

I've got a red Squire Bronco Bass. It's my first bass. I got it just to have a bit of boom or low end I suppose you say. I really like it. It's easy to play ans sounds good coming through my cheap twin speaker Magnum guitar amp

 

[notCardio]

I keep looking at them. I prefer short scale, and since I don't play out anymore, I can get away with them. Actually, back when I did play out, I used a Mustang most of the time, but we were just bar hacks, so it was OK.

The Broncos I've played so far (5 or 6) have all had really crappy fret jobs, and a couple had pretty sloppy nut jobs (did I just say that?). If you can find one in a store and you like it, buy it, because the next one you order online may suck big time. That's just the reality with entry level guitars & basses in general. The higher dollar stuff usually has better QC, and is therefor more consistent from one to the next. I haven't heard one plugged in so I can't comment on the sound, but if you're planning on putting another pickup in a Bronco, I'd think twice about getting one. A Bronco body is pretty darn thin and very lightweight and I'm not sure how well it would take to routing for a new p/u. You might want to post a new thread asking about it.

I still say, if you can find and afford a Mustang (bass) you will never regret having it. No comparison to other short-scales. None. Just my opinion.

Good luck.

 

[AGCurry]

A student of mine bought one of the SX "baby precisions" from Rondo Music for around $120. I was VERY impressed by the value. For a short scale bass on a budget, it beats the Bronco hands down.

 

[JazzMasterWil]

I've got a smaller bass than any of you. One of my bass guitars has a scale length of 23" inches. Boo Yeah beat that!!!!!!!! Talk about an easy bass to play. The little monster plays itself.

Anyways about the bronco. I definately think it's a good bass for the money. We had one come into the shop one time, and I loved it. The pickup wasn't great, but I've heard a lot worse. I say for the money it's a great buy. If I was you, I'd definately go for it. I really liked the one that came into the shop.

 

[JazzMasterWil]

Check out the pic if you want to. Somebody somewhere heard a voice that said "if you build it, Wil will buy it" and decided to build the mini bass. (And just as a note, that's a couch full of minis. It's that big compared to 18" - 20" scale length guitars).

 

[kidbsides]

RE: "oh_the_blood"

Recording with the Mobile Pre has worked out pretty well so far. I used to have a griffin iMic which was ok but the Mobile Pre has been better. Especially because it has a preamp built-in so you can use low impedence mics. Garageband is a great little app -- although I used Pro Tools Free on Mac OS 9 and really liked it. Still, Garageband is pretty robust considering its not really a pro product (even though you can get pro results).

I think I'm going with the Gretsch vs. the Bronco. Just checked out a Gretsch G2202 short-scale and couldn't believe it -- plays and sounds awesome -- and it's only $249.

 

[oh_the_blood]

ya i just bought the gretsch yesterday, i love it.

i haggled em down to 243.16 after tax!

highly reccommended!