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After hurting my shoulder throwing a p bass around, I've got the bug for a lighter short-scale bass. Particularly, Fender/Squier.
Right now, I'm torn between holding out for a decently priced MIJ Mustang or getting in cheap on a Bronco and modding it. What should I do?
I enjoyed my time with the Squier VM Mustang bass, but they, like the pawn shop Mustang, are few and far between these days.
Does anyone have experience with the Squier Bronco? Is it a solid platform?
What say you, ILF?

I like my bronco! I put a Barden Strat pickup in it and got a musicmsater pickguard. Then I did a crummy job of filing the leftover holes it looks shitty after all that.

This is what it sounds like recorded. https://soundcloud.com/searsy/can-may-shall

I think the Bronco bridge is fine. Tele players LIKE two strings per saddle. Will your shoulder like it more? I dunno. With shorter horns it doesn't necessarily balance any better. It's also harder to get a decent recorded bass sound out of. As in, a P is trivial. Just cut at 40hz (+) and below and you're done. This takes some work.

i had a Mustang. that was definitely one of the best basses i ever had, but i was moving and had to thin the herd. that was like 6 years ago, i still toy with the idea of getting another one. i wrecked my shoulders playing a big 'ol P-Bass as well.

I've got a Fender Japan Mustang, it's super nice. No complaints at all. I just shielded the cavities with copper tape to avoid hum, and that was much simpler to do than on my Jaguar...

What's your budget ? They pop up for sale less often now than before (production stopped I think) but when they do the price is probably still better than in the US.

Word. I'd look to spend, like, ~600 USD.
Eyeing this one real hard, trying to find the funds. http://www.ebay.com/itm/301891096537

Hah, that's exactly the same model/colour as mine. They look awesome in person.

Squiers have indisputably gotten nicer over the last few years, but I'm not sure that applies to the Bronco as much as others. I'd go used Fender Mustang/Musicmaster if you can find it.

The Squier Mikey Way Mustang Bass looks to still be in production (couple retailers awating restock, but I see a few on Google).

One color, but if you like it, $350 and will be in the price range where Squier's quality starts going WAY up.

There's also one for sale there (shop in Tokyo) for a decent price, but I'm not sure if they ship internationally.
http://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop60/DS03264403/

Here's the shop's email, if you want to ask them : g-shibuya@kurosawagakki.com
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/sh_gcshibuya/

I'd definitely recommend the Mustang over the Bronco if you can afford it. Any model of Mustang would be better in terms of hardware and pickups.

There's a Squier Mustang on Craigslist near me for $200 if you're interested. The only real difference between it and the Fender version are the necks. I actually find the Squier to be more comfortable and tweak in a lot of ways.

You could possibly even find a Musicmaster in your budget. Still a bit of a different beast than a Mustang.

If you're still looking for a P Bass type of sound, you should lean towards a Mustang bass over any of the others.

I did the upgraded Bronco thing. It's fun but more trouble than it's worth. And the tuners are garbage. Very light though.
Also consider epiphone or other violin bass? Super light.

rfurtkamp wrote:The Squier Mikey Way Mustang Bass looks to still be in production (couple retailers awating restock, but I see a few on Google).

One color, but if you like it, $350 and will be in the price range where Squier's quality starts going WAY up.

Ooo, I forgot about the Mikey Way.

I haven't played the Squier Mustang bass but the MIJ Fender is wonderful, it feels and sounds beautiful. Id highly recommend tracking one down if you can. However, mine is not very light, so im not sure if it would do you well if youre looking for weight relief.

I liked the fender musicmaster more than mustangs i've played