Getting interested in to this bass and I did some researches: it seems that the Squier Bronco mounts a ridiculous cheap Strat-single coil. Is this bass playable on a guitar amp (it has the same scale length of the Bass VI, 30")? And how about to upgrade this bass with a better GUITAR single coil pickup (some people put a Lace sensor Red on it) instead of a bass single coil (the other idea was a Seymour Duncan P-bass single coil)? Finally, is the Mustang Bass pickguard and control plate suitable on this?
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:17 pm
by brainfur
a strat hotrail is perfect for bronco i put a gfs rail in mine
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:59 pm
by Golden_Sonic
brainfur wrote:a strat hotrail is perfect for bronco i put a gfs rail in mine
Have you ever tried it on a guitar amp?
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:04 pm
by brainfur
yeah u can play any bass thru a guitar amp but it will not sound very good-- its ok for practice but not performing or recording
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:01 pm
by Golden_Sonic
What I'm trying to say is if the Bronco bass may be used as a guitar through a guitar amp (I wonder it because of its single coil pickup and its short scale length, the same of the Bass VI).
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:05 pm
by brainfur
its only got 4 strings so the string spacing is like a bass its not gonna feel anything like a bass VI
but theres not a huge difference between a bass and a guitar they are like different versions of the same thing so if u wanna experiemetn then go ahead-- be careful tho b/c u hear anecdotes of ppl distroying guitar amp speakers w. a bass
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:35 am
by honeyiscool
Golden_Sonic wrote:What I'm trying to say is if the Bronco bass may be used as a guitar through a guitar amp (I wonder it because of its single coil pickup and its short scale length, the same of the Bass VI).
No, not really. It's a bass. Short scale length results in deeper tones with a more fundamental sound and fewer overtones. If you put a better single coil guitar pickup on it, it will sound even more like a bass. Guitar pickups and bass pickups aren't all that different from each other.
Sure, you could play it on a guitar amp, turn up the treble and turn down the bass, to get a noodly sound, but you can do that with any bass with suitably light roundwound strings. Bass VI also sounds like a bass, too, if you treat it like one.
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 6:32 am
by Golden_Sonic
honeyiscool wrote:No, not really. It's a bass. Short scale length results in deeper tones with a more fundamental sound and fewer overtones. If you put a better single coil guitar pickup on it, it will sound even more like a bass. Guitar pickups and bass pickups aren't all that different from each other.
And what do you suggest me? what is better between a guitar singlecoil or a Seymour Duncan P bass singlecoil on a Bronco?
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:59 pm
by brainfur
Don't spend any money on modding a bronco if u don't have a bass amp?
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:09 pm
by Golden_Sonic
brainfur wrote:Don't spend any money on modding a bronco if u don't have a bass amp?
And why? I'll buy a bass amp anyway, sooner or later... I need a cheap bass for home recordings and the Bronco is a short scale, that's the reason why I want one.
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:55 pm
by brainfur
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 3:30 pm
by Golden_Sonic
brainfur wrote:
It's too expensive for me now, the lowest price I've found is on Thomann for €235 + €20 shipping cost = €255 and I don't have enough money. An used Bronco bass + a Lace Sensor/Seymour Duncan pickup would be cheaper anyway.
If I can't find an used Bronco, I guess I'll take this P Bass copy or an Epiphone EB0 in cherry red finish. If I had much more money, I'd buy a Squier VM Mustang Bass and then I could rest in peace.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 5:18 am
by honeyiscool
Golden_Sonic wrote:
honeyiscool wrote:No, not really. It's a bass. Short scale length results in deeper tones with a more fundamental sound and fewer overtones. If you put a better single coil guitar pickup on it, it will sound even more like a bass. Guitar pickups and bass pickups aren't all that different from each other.
And what do you suggest me? what is better between a guitar singlecoil or a Seymour Duncan P bass singlecoil on a Bronco?
I made a relatively comprehensive Bronco modding guide a few years ago:
I absolutely suggest the Lace Red Sensor, as that is what I am most familiar with on this bass. I have not tried Duncan P or rails pickups because the Red Sensor has worked out so well for me.
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:34 pm
by Lumpy Waters
I play both my Bronco Bass and my Mustang through the same Gallien Krueger guitar amps (from the 80's). One is a little combo amp and one is just a preamp I use for recording. Sounds great. The stock pickup sounds good to me but I'll probably replace it someday with a Bill Lawrence dual rail pickup, which is what I have in the Mustang.
Re: Squier Bronco Bass questions
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:36 pm
by moore65
Golden_Sonic wrote: bass single coil (the other idea was a Seymour Duncan P-bass single coil)?
The spacing on the single coil 4 pole P-bass pups isn't the same as the string spacing on the Bronco. I tried it a while ago. You could slant it to work, but then you'd have to make the cavity bigger and make a new pickguard. Could be cool, but also a pain in the butt.
Maybe I'll try that, I have my Bronco and the humbucker I put in it needs to be rewired...and a single coil P-bass pup laying around. I could just make a new pickguard. Yeah I'm bored at the moment!