Broncocaster shortscale project

I'm starting a shortscale project, based on a Squier bronco bass 30" scale neck and a tele body. Hope I could manage this project successfully... :roll:

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010315.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=157&u=12808836)

I'm envious of your build -- just have to get myself hooked up with a 30" scale neck!

Your pickup placement is all-tele-like, so I'm curious how it will sound in the end. Are you planning to use the tele bridge too? Looks like you will notch out your scratchplate for one...

Guessing from the neck it's going to be bass. But what PU configuration? Two single coils?

Easy to do! I did this myself just before Christmas. Love the Tele body so I just had to make one. Pics here of mine and someone else's. Mine is the white pg but I've since changed to black. I preferred to leave the guitar bridge plate on (minus brass saddles) so it gives the illusion of a guitar but it's a bass of course.

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/marshtech/DSCF4329.jpg

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/marshtech/DSCF0012.jpg

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww112/marshtech/DSC03265.jpg

Got a few pointers from Tim Armstrong and forum member Rhomco (Rob) who made the neck from a Bronco 30" neck and cut the Telecaster headstock profile.

The instrument is kinda heavy but I love its looks and sound.

link to Rhomco - http://www.rhomcoguitars.com/

Guessing from the neck it's going to be bass. But what PU configuration? Two single coils?

The bronco bass got a simple strat 6 pole single coil PU.

I'll use a strat hot rail PU in bridge PU cavity, esquire humbucker wired (if I could find how to.... :lol: ).

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010316.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=158&u=12808836)

Your pickup placement is all-tele-like, so I'm curious how it will sound in the end. Are you planning to use the tele bridge too? Looks like you will notch out your scratchplate for one...

I'll use the original bronco top load bridge, but I' will locate the pickup in the "former" bridge pickup cavity.

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010319.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=161&u=12808836)

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010317.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=159&u=12808836)

subbed!

Interesting looking scratchplate. I never thought of that when I was doing mine last year. It was nervous starting it but I went slow and measued twice and it came out great.

I just love those shortscale Tele basses.

Old Honher on top, recent custom below
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Rotor_/Band/Tele%20bass/DSCF4359.jpg

JR

Interesting looking scratchplate. I never thought of that when I was doing mine last year. It was nervous starting it but I went slow and measued twice and it came out great.

JR

Thank you Rotor.
I have to admit that I read your threads to help me starting this project. :wink:

Aligning neck and bridge....

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010320.jpg

Pick up and scratchplate together...

Because the strat PU is too narrow for using in slanted bridge position, I use a hot rail bridge tele PU.

(Please, forgive my poor and broken english...) :rolleyes:


http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010321.jpg

This is such an awesome build.

Moving right along goldo, looking good.

[QUOTE=goldo;3861057]I'll use the original bronco top load bridge, but I' will locate the pickup in the "former" bridge pickup cavity.

Is the exact same location as the Bronco Bass Pickup:wink:
It works great in that position. I have used numerous pickups in my 30 Inch Tele basses such as the Original Fender single coil, Fender P-Bass and Jazz Bass. They all work very well in this same location. I think Tim Armstrong used a GFS Fat Rail pickup in one of his Tele Basses with good results as well.
Good luck on your project, if you get stuck ring me up on the PM and I will help you out.
Rob
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/rhomco/Gills%20Tele%20Bass/Gill27s20Tele20Bass20003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/rhomco/TeleThinlineBass002-2.jpg

Almost finished ...

http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/12/80/88/36/p1010318.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=169&u=12808836)

Nice results goldo, some of us recommend a tap. Perhaps run a couple wires out and see if you like it, guessing you will?

Looks really nice. I`m betting it plays as good as it looks too. Take care. Bob

How did you ground to the bridge? I tend to get into a pickle trying to route wires to and from a moved bridge.

I drilled a hole from under the bridge to the bottom of the control plate cavity.

Bravo Goldo, c'est très beau! Very nice!

Hi Goldo, I'm thinking of putting a hot rail humbucker in my build as well! How does it sound? Do you have any soundclips or videos?

Also (sorry for the double-post), is there any chance you could post a photo of your wiring or a wiring diagram? thanks in advance :grin:

Hi,
The wiring diagram is the "Seymour Duncan Esquire with 1 humbucker" tele diagram. (I've just had to translate Seymour Duncan colour codes in Artec colour codes) :

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=esquire_hb



The sound is very good to me, more powerfull in series position or even in parralel position than the bronco single coil pickup, and more brighter in the middle "split" position. Great result for this budget Artec hot rail humbucker. :grin:

Unfortunately, I'm not able to post sound clips or vids. :cry:

Great, thank you very much! No worries RE the clips :)

The bass looks great, by the way! :grin:

This might be one of the coolest bass builds I've seen in a long time. Kudos!

Goldo your description in #11 post declares that you use a hot rail bridge tele PU. I assume that to be a guitar pickup? Correct?
Extremely nice project build. Thanks & take care. Bob

Goldo your description in #11 post declares that you use a hot rail bridge tele PU. I assume that to be a guitar pickup? Correct?
Extremely nice project build. Thanks & take care. Bob

Yes, it's a guitar pickup.

Thanks goldo. I am asking because I am planning a similar build and trying to make selections. So many options it leaves me bewilderes. I really like what you did. Most of my selections have already been made but puckups & pick guard are still to be determined and are a crucial element in construction,

Does your bass sound and play good as you hoped for? Thanks again & take care. Bob

Here's mine

Very cool! I this got me thinking I have a couple old strat bodies laying around, think I could make a short scale bass with a strat body?

El Hefe: I've seen a Strat-bass conversion picture on this forum, so yes - it is possible.

Excellent work. That bass just oozes sexiness.