Squier Mike Dirnt P Bass  

I gave this bass a 5 for features. The hardware isn't the greatest nor is it the worst I've seen. The tuning keys kept the strings tuned properly and didn't slip. The gear ration isn't too bad either. The bridge was the first thing to be replaced. I don't know why Fender/Squier insist on keeping these vintage style bridges. They were innovative in the 50's, but todays seasoned  bass players usually want a larger mass bridge.  I opted for a Gotoh 201 bridge to replace the stock steel bridge. It was a direct fit and didn't cost an arm and a leg like the Leo Quans (which are on both my jazz basses) The sustain was increased and the notes sounded clearer. I am looking for a vintage style bridge cover in black to give it a more vintage mojo and I already put a black ebony "tugbar" on so it looks like a 51-54 Fender P bass. The stock pickups sounded pretty good, nice and punchy, like a good P-bass should.  I did upgrade the pickups to Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders and the sound improved dramatically.  The pots are still stock and won't be changed out until they go bad.  The neck is average and I have it set up with Ernie Ball roundwound .45's.  Being a P-bass it is a tad wider at the nut than my jazz basses, but it isn't by much. The factory set up was very sub par and it took a bit of tweaking to get it to play the way I like, with a low action and just a hint of fret buzz. All the hardware was changed out to be black (on the white body) like Wilkinson Tuners, Hipshot d-tuner, string tree, Gotoh bridge, Schaller strap locks, input jack, control plate and a cool Ouija board engraved neck plate.  It looks really sharp now, hot rodded and totally unique.

Overall, it seems to be a decent instrument. I have been gigging on it and haven't had any problems. Everything worked fine with the stock parts, but sounds and plays like a high dollar bass with the upgrades. I'll put it up against any Fender USA guitar. Plus, I customized it so there isn't  another like it that I have seen. The paint is durable poly and seems to take minor bumps with no problems. The only complaint I have was that the strap button holes needed to be fixed.  The were a tad loose, even when I changed them to strap locks.  I just broke some toothpicks off in the screw holes, put a few drops of superglue into the holes, then screwed the buttons on.  It works like a charm and the buttons have not come loose yet.

It is a great value to players on a budget and they're a lot of aftermarket upgrades available as cash flow permit. Get a good bridge and good pickups first. They will greatly enhace this bass.

I have played both pro and semi-pro for 20 years now. I have had some high end Spectors and Warwicks as well as numerous other brands ie. Ibanez, Hamer, BC Rich, Fender, Steinberger, Jackson and more.  I bought this bass on a whim because I liked the vintage 50's Fenders and didn't have a ton of money to spend on a reissue or true vintage. Besides, I don't like the vintage single coil pickup sound. I upgraded all that I could on this bass, and I am very pleased with the end results.  I have received a lot of compliments on the look and sound of my hot rod.  I am looking into having it custom painted silver metal flake, so I will have to post pics when I get it done. I would have no problem buying another of these basses, and would reccommend it to others. Just make sure to either set it up or take it to someone who can do it and you will have a great bass for years to come.