Squier Bronco bass mods Ep.15: Lace Sensor Blue single coil pickup review. Blue vs Red!

Рет қаралды 979

Күн бұрын

In this unsponsored video, I have installed a Lace Sensor Blue single coil pickup into a Squier Sonic Series Bronco short scale bass. In episode 14, we featured the Lace Sensor Red - it was a big sonic step up from the stock pickup, with bigger lows and low mids, bigger output with less noise and hum. However, the low mids were a bit on the muddy side. The Blue is advertised as being a lower output pickup in comparison the red, and is perhaps less aggressive sounding. Will the midrange open up and give us more clarity? Let's find out!
We will compare the Blue vs the Red with the tone pot at 10%, 50% and 100%. At the end of the track comparison, I will also include clips of the stock pickup for a sonic reference.
The bass was recorded direct through a Line6 Pod Go with the identical settings. No EQ or compression was added in post.
Stock nickel roundwound strings.
*To best appreciate the sonic differences, headphones or quality speakers are recommended.
00:00 Intro
00:22 Background
02:35 Track - Blue vs Red
06:00 Stock pickup clips
06:56 Assessment
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Пікірлер: 34

@Kunibert_Knatter 4 ай бұрын

To me the Red sounds more, hmmm, "edgier"? Not really "naughty", but with some little growl. The Blue was more clear and clean, not really boring, but less remarkable. Somehow.maybe you get some sense from my garbly babbling. Anyway, but both are quite a contrast to the stock PU! And I was amused about the effort you put into these videos, by dressing accordingly to the tested PU!

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

You are officially the first person to comment on the wardrobe colour coordination! Pretty nerdy, but I couldn't resist the opportunity! I think your tonal comments are spot on! I think it really comes down to taste and application. The cleaner sound from the Blue may drive some types of effects better (eg octaves, synth, delays, some types of overdrives) but the Red has a brawnier sound - I think the words I would use, in retrospect, are 'attitude' and 'grunt'. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

@Kunibert_Knatter 4 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music Oh yes, that is an impoertant aspect, having a clean sound BEFORE it goes into modification with effects! I didN#t have that in mind, but it is pretty important. Garbage in, garbage out!

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

So true, garbage in, garbage out. I use minimal EQ’ing and minimal effects most of the time, live and studio. My little live rig is the same Line6 into a QSC powered PA speaker (CP12) so there is no hiding! Tone has to be good coming out of the instrument.

@gfgoalie28 2 ай бұрын

You don’t know how many years I’ve wanted this video series. Well done and thanks! Is this the most recent “Sonic” series version with the stock 4 saddle bridge or did you swap that out as well?

@jonathanwong458music 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!! This bass was the sonic series, so it had the standard 5 screw Fender pattern (4 saddles) - much easier to find replacement bridges!!

@gfgoalie28 2 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music thanks! I’ve been eyeing a bronco bass for quite a while, think I’ll finally grab a sonic version!

@jonathanwong458music 2 ай бұрын

Good luck with the purchase! The sonic series is a definite step-up from the older Affinity model. Hope you dig it!

@trappenweisseguy27 Ай бұрын

Interesting, the red one reminds me of 60’s era P basses with rosewood boards (and 60’s era recording technology unfortunately ) and the blue reminds me of 70’s P basses with maple boards. I prefer the blue.

@jonathanwong458music Ай бұрын

Right on! I prefer the clarity from the Blue over the Red. Beautiful thing is there are so many good options available now. Fine tune to one's taste and preferences. Thanks for watching!

@nieko3038 4 ай бұрын

Think I like the red one of the two. It is more present when you play the note. That first darker sound. Maybe it is just louder because of the higher output that does that. I also like that compared to the original.

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Right on! I level matched them to eliminate some of the ‘louder sounds better’ aspect of our ears. I think it really comes down to personal taste and what we like to hear! Everybody likes different things. That’s the beauty of mods! Thanks for watching!

@sync1216 4 ай бұрын

Before seeing the lace sensor pickups on your channel, I never thought of them as an option for the bronco(or any bass), only seeing the duncan and something similary priced. That being said, I would see the 'red' one as a choice for heavy drive/distortion/fuzz sounds and the 'blue' for clean to slightly driven sounds. Only considering my personal preference, of course. Looking forward to the poti mod with the blue, which is my favorite already. And nicely done with the matching shirt colors! 👍😁

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! When I worked in a guitar store in the late 90s, there seemed to be a lot of dislike for Lace Sensors despite their presence in several fender signature strats. Everybody wanted Duncans then! There is so much choice now, almost overwhelmingly so. I agree with your comments. The Red seems to be a bit more squished/compressed, which could lend itself well to some drives and fuzzes. I prefer the Blue for its clarity. The 250k vs 500k video just came out. Here’s a link: Squier Bronco bass mods Ep.16: 250k vs. 500k volume pots vs. no pots at all! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nLmEh8uGz8zdqIE.html

@sync1216 4 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music whatched it jut now, love the 500k with the blue one. Had the idea of getting myself a bronco months ago, convinced by your videos... Couldn't bring myself to do it, as I had some unexpected costs piling up... but now I'm positive I should give it a go. Only the choice of laurel or maple fretboard is still open. Anyways, thanks for your work on this series, much apreciated! 👍

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Oddly, bronco fingerboard choices are affected by the body colour. eg. I don't think you can get a black body with a maple board (which would look cool). Laurel always felt a bit rough under the fingers, compare to a good rosewood board. I think they sound different too, but that's a whole other divided conversation! Best of luck in your decision!

@TheGoodness 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for these vids Jonathan! Been thinking about modding a Bronco for a while these really help. Looking forward to see how the 500 pot works out. Unrelated, have you had a chance to try a Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazz? Been eyeballing one but it’s hard to find reviews as in depth as your style.

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! It's viewers like yourself and such comments that keep me inspired to make these! Unfortunately, I missed out on a Fender Junior J bass on eBay at a reasonable price....The prices have since gone way up. I'm still looking!

@TheGoodness 3 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458musicDid I hear you mention before that you're in Ontario? If so, am I too. I just bought a Junior J and it arrived today. I'd be happy for you to check it out.

@jonathanwong458music 3 ай бұрын

@@TheGoodness Thanks for the offer! I was born in St. Catharines and went to university in Hamilton, but moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2007. Hope you enjoy the Junior! Still on the lookout for one

@MadJackF1 4 ай бұрын

I much prefer the Blue over the Red for just the same reasons as you stated. If the 500KΩ pot would brighten it up and keep the top end nicely rounded, without any piercing highs would be great.

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! Wouldn't it be great if a simple pot switch would open things up a bit? BUT....will it be the right kind of brightness?! Just as you are suggesting, if it's ice-picky, I wouldn't be interested! Stay tuned! I'm glad the subtle sonic differences are audible over KZfaq audio!

@jasondorsey7110 4 ай бұрын

I liked what I heard out of that blue lace sensor, I think I'm gonna get one of those...I've also heard good things on the forums about dimarzio "fast track" pickups, which are an alternative to the duncan rail humbuckers, have you tried those before?

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

I haven’t tried that dimarzio. So many options now! When I was in high school, I remember there really only being the model P, split P and model J models. So I’ve tried all of those. Haven’t tried the more recent offerings yet. I quite liked this Blue! Was warmer than I had initially expected from a guitar focused single coil.

@jasondorsey7110 4 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music I have the model j's in my 93 jazz bass...I liked them better than both the stock pups and a set of fender noiseless I tried...I have a set of fender 63 reissue pups that I put in my mij squier jazz that I think sound better though even with the background hum

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

All about finding that match between wood and electronics! Thanks for watching!

@Timelord1980-tt1iy 4 ай бұрын

I contacted lace sensors a few months ago asking about what pickup they would suggest for a bronco bass and they said they intended the burgundy pickup for the bronco bass. The description of it makes me think it would sound a little more muddy than the red. What do you think?

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I certainly don't have the knowledge to counter Lace themselves, but the DCR of the burgundy is lower than both the blue and the red, so in terms of output, it 'may' be even lower in output than the blue (if the design is the same)? I've never tried the Burgundy so I really can't say. I'm not sure how differently they are wound (which may greatly influence the tone). Interesting question, though!

@ndfloor 4 ай бұрын

Sir Wong, Bronco affinity n Bronco Sonic, wat r differences?? I c bridge n tunerhead difference, wat about sound n pickups ???

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

The biggest differences between the affinity and sonic broncos are: I) 2 saddle bridge vs 4 saddle (sonic) 2) bridge mount hole spacing on the sonic is standard 5 hole fender, not on the affinity 3) 17mm string spacing at the bridge (affinity) vs 19mm (sonic) 4) much better tuners on the sonic 5) wider nut on some affinity, narrower nut on sonic 6) pickguard screw pattern is slightly different 7) not sure about how the stock pickups changed over the years, but they’ve always been low end strat type guitar pickups. 8) out of the box, the sonic feels a little nicer and better made. Quality control also better from what I’ve seen. Thanks for watching!

@ndfloor 4 ай бұрын

Thanx Sir... The confusing is Price.. 😊 Sonic 19k - Affinity 24k

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

No need for Sir! If you have the option to choose, I would definitely take the sonic over the affinity. Hands down.

@ndfloor 4 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music Sir Your Channel is very technically informative, I play bass, I know bass design model only, but I don't know electronics, bass string details, Now I understand everything I want to know, not only sonic n affinity 🤗 Its all about from ur channel Sir ... Thankyou

@jonathanwong458music 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching. I’m glad it is useful to you!