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How-to guide - Installing a new pre-wired harness and pickup swap on a Bronco Bass

How-to guide - Installing a new pre-wired harness and pickup swap on a Bronco Bass

In this article I'm going to feature how to install one of my Signature Series Bronco Bass wiring looms and a new pickup. I offer this kit in a few different forms, from just a harness (pre-wired volume and tone pots, tone cap and jack socket) to that harness alongside a McNelly Broncomaster pickup, to both of those bits all pre-soldered together for a complete drop in. Now, this article will ultimately discuss each style of kit but the photos might not tie in perfectly to the kit you have. Regardless of that though, the methods are much of the same and will have some relevance in their guidence through the process.
Rebecca's Bronco Bass project

Rebecca's Bronco Bass project

Rebecca recently got in touch and ordered one of my pre-wired Bronco bass wiring kits, along with the awesome McNelly 'Broncomaster' pickup pre-wired too. She mentioned that the overall project was being carried out on one of the newer version 'Sonic series' Squiers, which I haven't been able to see in person yet. The minor/subtle changes in spec on these new versions look superb, revised string spacing and a smaller footprint tuning machine set further improve it as a solid modding platform bass. 
Joe from the Guitar nerds compares the standard Squier bronco bass pickup with our beloved McNelly double pole Bronco bass pickup!

Joe from the Guitar nerds compares the standard Squier bronco bass pickup with our beloved McNelly double pole Bronco bass pickup!

A very special thank you to Joe Branton from the Guitar Nerds podcast for putting this comparison footage together for me, absolutely brilliant to hear the original Squier Bronco bass pickup (essentially a 6 pole guitar single coil pickup) against our beloved McNelly Bronco/Musicmaster double pole single coil bass pickup! I'm no bass player, so really grateful for Joe's help with making this comparison video happen. The McNelly Bronco bass pickup is a direct fit replacement for the standard pickup, but features a double pole design inspired by P-Bass split coil pickups for example which along with a baseplate and increased output makes for a much fuller, more responsive pickup. Ultimately transforming the Bronco bass in every way tonally. These pickups have been incredibly popular since we introduced them a few years back, and it's great to finally get around to putting some videos out there to share what it can do for your Bronco. This particular Bronco with the McNelly installed also features my Home of Tone Signature Series wiring kit upgrade, which features CTS 'TVT' series 250k pots, .022uF tone cap and a pure tone jack socket soldered together with Gavitt 22awg wire. The wiring kit is available along with the pickup or as a standalone wiring upgrade too!
New Squier Bronco bass upgrade kit!

New Squier Bronco bass upgrade kit!

My wife recently expressed an interest in learning bass, and like many of us, I certainly couldn't turn down an opportunity to hunt for new gear! There has been a bass in our home before, in the form of a beautiful Shoreline Gold Squier PJ bass which was a lovely thing but was sadly sold during a cull. We did recall that she realy didn't like picking that one up though due to the size, being a 'full' scale P bass at 34", so perhaps a short scale would be the way to go...