It isn’t always instant. Took about 36 hours after purchase to make me cool.
But maybe that’s cause I got a Squier instead of an actual Fender.
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Hahaha! Have you tried putting a Fender sticker on it?
As it’s mostly about appearances anyway, I think it might help!?
I am thinking hard about doing the same with my Harley Benton … and find a way to hide the bridge pickup, so it looks like a P-bass.
I will be cooler than Tom Cruise 
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You guys ever been to a Fender Store? They are like Apple Stores for guitars. Like seriously it feels like they ripped off Apple’s model and their stores are half store and half Guitar Museum or something. They even have cafes.
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I like it!!! 
A humble Squier in the right hands has put many a cooler dude to shame. 
Oh good Lord. Guess Ima gonna have to get me to one of ‘em some day ‘n see whut all the hollerin’s all about. Looks a might fancy tho. But geez. Buyin’ an ol’ lookin’ Tele from there be like buyin’ a Jeep from an Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini dealer. 
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This has become quite a common practice I. The headphones and IEMs the reviewers just love to read the graph and make conclusions based on that.
If you apply the same practice to just about any component on a bass or guitars you’d probably see the difference in materials and design but the bottom line is choose whatever you like based on looks, price, features, brands, etc.
Just don’t choose it because it has better sustain through beefy bridge, or awesome singing tone wood even if it’s true you are wasting the money on such small barely noticeable factor.
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I saw this the other day, and I finally have a moment to comment…
This is only about the bridge question. Just as in “tone wood” discussions, I strongly believe in you do you. What your ears hear is different than everyone elses, maybe not by much, but I feel it is true.
It comes down to you like what your ears like. If you replace an original bent steel plate bridge on a vintage Fender with a Leo Quann Badass One (these were the original Badass bridges, they were meant to be a replacement for Gibson bridges, which were taller due to the neck angle. you had to sink the Badass One 1/8" into the body of a Fender to make it work, something that was done on a regular basis), you will definitely hear a change of tone.
The question is, do you like that tone, or do you prefer the original sound? Obviously, there is no correct answer.
To further distort the question, your preference may change depending on the bass.
So many different styles of bridges. Find what you like and go with that.
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Happy New Year to all!
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I actually have a Squier Sonic P bass, which is their bottom of the line. Got it figuring it would be a piece of junk I could learn how to work repairs and such on. Dang if it wasn’t a really nice guitar. Quality build. I upgraded the P’ups and wiring/pots, and it is really a nice guitar. Glad I waited until things got nicer before I went for a cheap guitar. It’s almost as nice as my 96 American J.
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I agree. My only complaint is the weight being too light especially the neck. But it’s a good thing on its own.
It’s definitely worth the upgrade and be a practice and mod platform. You can always put back the original parts to sell it but why would you want to.
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I have a really screwed up low back and shoulders, so being lighter is a benefit to me. This was supposed to be a P that I could use until I could afford an American P, but it’s so nice I will just continue to upgrade it and save a bunch of money.
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Except for the neck heel contour you won’t miss much. Since you already have an American Fender you know it’s not much of a difference in sound quality, sure the US feels better but overall having a lighter bass and decent build quality is such a plus. I brought my Sonic bronco to my last gig and it was so much fun. Light short scale super punchy. Most people thought it was a ‘51 pickup when I told them it’s a Strat pickup they are totally shocked. 
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I want a short scale 51, and cheapest route might be to get a bronco and put my Fralin in it.
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Getting Fender Musicmaster Bass vibes there 
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This is what I have.
The 2 main selling points for me were
- Not very expensive in case it turned out I didn’t actually want to play bass
- It was in stock at the music store
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Exactly! I was hoping to do a Nick Campbell, 
short scale prolly makes playing easier.
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I love the fact it came with a J type neck. I was afraid the P neck would be too big, so the thinner neck was nice too. I don’t think I even needed to change the P’ups and wiring/pots, but figured what the heck!