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Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
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Playability
73
Sound
74
Build
64
Value
80
Score
70
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Playability
72
Sound
80
Build
74
Value
65
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass vs Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Specs Comparison
Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
General
Brand: Fender Squier Fender
Year: 2023 2022
Configuration: S Split S
Strings: 4 4
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Sonic American Vintage II
Colors: Purple Sunburst, Black, Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Alder
Bridge: 4-Saddle Standard Pure Vintage 4-Saddle with Threaded Steel Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Die-Cast Sealed Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear
Fretboard: Laurel Slab Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Clay Dot
Scale Size: 30" 34"
Shape: Bass C Shape Bass 1960 C
Frets: 19 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 20 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 7.25"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Bone
Nut Width: 38.1mm (1.5'') 43.2mm (1.7'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups:
Middle Pickup: Fender Pure Vintage 60 Split-Coil Precision (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 0 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Chrome

Reasons to Get
Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass over Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

Release Year
2023 vs 2022
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Vintage Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups
S vs Split S
For twangy sounds and simplicity
Nut Width
1.5'' (38.1mm) vs 1.7'' (43.2mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Paint Finish
Poly vs Nitro
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
30'' (762mm) vs 34'' (863.6mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
80 vs 65
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass over Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Vintage Tall vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Fender vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickups
Split S vs S
Reduced interference, warm tone, and strong midrange presence for versatile bass sounds.
Number of Frets
20 vs 19
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.7'' (43.2mm) vs 1.5'' (38.1mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Nitro vs Poly
Thin finish that creates aging marks faster
Scale Length
34'' (863.6mm) vs 30'' (762mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass vs Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

Body Wood
Poplar vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass vs Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
4
Same Headstock
Strings
4
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
0
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Prices

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    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass.

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass meets 5 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

    New Player Friendliness

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
    • Comfortable shape
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Short scale
    • Comfortable neck
    • Narrow nut

    New Player Friendliness

    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
    • Comfortable shape
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale

    Sound Quality Comparison

    The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

    Woods Used in Both

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple

    Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

    Woods Used in the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass

    Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
    Laurel
    Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
    Poplar

    There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

    Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

    Woods Used in the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

    Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Rosewood
    Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
    Alder

    Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

    Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

    Winner: Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass has an S configuration while the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has Split S pickups.

    A single single-coil pickup is not a configuration commonly found in modern electric guitars because it lacks versatility. But if you only want a guitar that sounds very thin and twangy, this might be good enough.

    On the other hand, A Split S, or split single-coil pickup, has a classic, warm, and punchy tone, characterized by a strong midrange presence and noise reduction. Its design cancels out interference, making it suitable for various musical styles and ideal for live performances and studio recording.

    Pickups Quality

    The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Blues and similar genres.

    Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

    Preamp Circuit

    A preamp in an electric bass functions as an electronic circuit that acts as an interface between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its main purpose is to amplify and customize the bass's initial signal before it reaches the amplifier, offering enhanced control over factors like tone, volume, and sound attributes. Preamps typically come equipped with tone adjustments, equalization options, and sometimes built-in effects, empowering bass players to fine-tune their sound to suit their personal preferences and the musical environment.

    Both basses have a Passive preamp.

    Passive: A bass with a passive preamp lacks an onboard electronic circuit for tone shaping and signal boosting. Instead, it relies solely on passive pickups and basic tone controls, typically consisting of volume and tone knobs. Passive preamps don't require an external power source like batteries, making them low-maintenance and dependable. While they offer a simpler and more straightforward tonal character, passive basses are appreciated for their warm and vintage sound, often favored in genres like classic rock, blues, and funk. They are an excellent choice for musicians who value the simplicity and timeless appeal of their instrument's tone without the need for active electronic components.

    Winner: Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass.

    Versatility Comparison

    Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

    Switch Options

    Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

    Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

    When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

    Winner: Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
    Pickups 70
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 70
    Tuning Stability 80
    Sound 74
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
    Pickups 100
    Sustain 65
    Versatility 75
    Tuning Stability 80
    Sound 80

    Build Quality Comparison

    When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass compares to the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass is built in Indonesia while the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass is made in United States.

    Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

    The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

    Winner: Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

    Nut Material

    If you want your bass to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

    The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass has a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

    On the other hand, the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

    Winner: Tie.

    Fret Material

    Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

    Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

    Winner: Tie.

    Tuners

    Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's are Die-Cast Sealed while the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's are Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear

    Winner: Tie.

    Neck Joint

    Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a bass is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

    Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

    Winner: Tie.

    Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
    • Synthetic Bone Nut
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Active Preamp
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Retainer Bar
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Active Preamp
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Retainer Bar
    • No Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
    Quality of materials 56
    Features 70
    Quality Control 65
    Build Quality 64
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
    Quality of materials 56
    Features 70
    Quality Control 95
    Build Quality 74

    Playability Comparison

    Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a bass might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

    Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a bass feels in your hands.

    Nut Width

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Nut Width
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Nut Width
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Nut Width
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has the wider nut with 43.2mm (1.7'') vs 38.1mm (1.5''). This is a 5.1mm (0.2'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

    Scale Length

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's Scale Length
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's Scale Length
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Scale Length
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Scale Length

    The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

    The Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass has the longest scale: 34". The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass is only 30" long. This is a 4'' (101.6mm) scale length difference.

    This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

    This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

    Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the bass sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

    Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

    Neck Profile

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Neck Profile
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's neck profile
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Neck Profile
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's neck profile

    No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

    Both the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass and the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

    Fretboard Radius

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Fingerboard Radius
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's Fingerboard radius
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Fingerboard Radius
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Fingerboard radius

    Most bass fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

    In this case, the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass.

    Fret Size

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass Frets Size
    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass's Frets Size
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass Frets Size
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Frets Size

    The Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass's Vintage Tall frets.

    Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

    Final Playability Scores

    Fender Squier Limited Edition Sonic Bronco Bass
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
    Chord Playability 60
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 73
    Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
    Chord Playability 90
    Solo Playability 60
    Playability 72