Cons
- Maybe a little too trebly for those who prefer beefy thump tones
- Fretwork can be hit or miss, but mostly hit given the high ratings it receives
- Not for those who prefer conventional/old-school style bass guitars
Pros
- Trebly P-bass style tone courtesy of its single-coil pickup
- Easy to play, store, and carry around, thanks to its light and compact body
- Slacker playing feel thanks to its shorter scale length
- No-frills design and controls
- Works nicely with various musical styles, especially funk, blues, and R&B
The Fender Squier Bronco is an interesting entry in this guide because it is a bass that comes with a single-coil pickup meant for guitars.
While it doesn’t explicitly say this in its marketing specs, opening up the pickguard of the Bronco will show a regular 6-pole single coil pickup that is commonly found in Strats.
Interestingly, this did not turn off bassists, rather many actually love its vintage style trebly tone. Some have even used it as a base for modifications, which include swapping out the 6-pole ceramic pickup with a rail pickup, resulting in tone and response improvement.
Matching its unique pickup configuration is a distinct-looking body shape, which is made to be thinner and lighter than the average bass.
It also has a 30″ short scale length neck, which results in a slacker string feel that’s ideal for beginners. This relaxed playing feel also makes it ideal for guitarists who occasionally play bass, in addition to bassists who just want an instrument that’s easier to work with.
Rounding off its features are basic hardware that includes a 2-saddle bridge and sealed die-cast tuners.
Note that current Bronco releases now come with a poplar wood body, as opposed to agathis wood which is what the previous version had.
For those who prefer vintage-style trebly bass tones over those with heavy low-end, this is for you. This is also a good starter and beater instrument for those who want the slacker feel of short-scale basses.
Specifications
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple (Bolt-on)
- Neck Profile: C-Shape
- Fingerboard: Laurel
- Scale Length: 30″
- Nut Width: 1.5″
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 19 Medium Jumbo
- Bridge Pickup: Special Design Single-Coil Pickup
- Controls: Volume, Tone
- Bridge: 2-Saddle Bridge
- Weight: 11.02 lbs.
Rating Source Highlights
Website | Source | *Rating Value |
Bass Guitar Shack | Robert | 96/100 |
Sharpen My Axe | Alex Richards | 95/100 |
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.