Fender Rascal Bass gone?

[BassmentPlayer]

I always do searches for short scale basses to see what is out there. When I did I noticed no Rascal from Fender.

I looked pretty hard on the Fender site and could not find any reference to a Rascal Bass for sale. No more Classic Player series to select, and a site search comes up with nothing.

I picked up a Rascal because it was an interesting bass with a lot of different potential sonic possibilities.

It did not disappoint. It is so amazing with a pick I am learning how to play with one for it.

I also got it to support Fender in their support of a) not another traditional bass and b) short scale.

I suspect that the bass was too much of a niche bass for Fender and could not sell in the quantities they want.

It is a business and the energy spent on one project is not spent on something else. Priorities can make decisions for you.

Regardless, I thank Fender for making it and I am glad I got mine.

(P.S. Please don't say it was because it was a SS, other manufacturers make them and make money off them.)

 

[woodyng2]

I was really interested in them,and found a new one by accident checking out a music store in Redwood City.
I was no longer interested after i played it.....i will say i am not that into most SS basses,but i happen to really like the Fender Mustang,so i was surprised i didn't like the Rascal,actually.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

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- Steve

 

[ScarfFace]

I was really interested in them,and found a new one by accident checking out a music store in Redwood City.
I was no longer interested after i played it.....i will say i am not that into most SS basses,but i happen to really like the Fender Mustang,so i was surprised i didn't like the Rascal,actually.

That was my reaction after playing one as well

 

[BassmentPlayer]

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- Steve

That link just leads me back to the search page.

As for the comments about not liking it:

That is why I called it a niche bass. If you are looking for a mustang sound because they are both short scale you will not be happy.

But then 3 lipstick pickups would be a strong indication it has a different sound.

 

[DigitalMan]

Fender has/had a Rascal bass?

 

[ScarfFace]

For me it wasn't the tone that I didn't like. It was the location of the bridge relative to the rest of the body. I just found it really uncomfortable to play finger style. The tone is great and very versatile. It looks awesome and I was actually quite bummed after playing it because I really wanted to like it.

 

[Joe Nerve]

That little rascal got away, huh?

 

[BassmentPlayer]

>> It was the location of the bridge relative to the rest of the body.

Different strokes.... A legitimate reason to choose another bass though.

I found the bridge position made it feel less cramped. Moving it to the end would shorten the overall length of the bass.

 

[woodyng2]

That is why I called it a niche bass. If you are looking for a mustang sound because they are both short scale you will not be happy.

But then 3 lipstick pickups would be a strong indication it has a different sound.

I never said i was interested in the Mustang bass' sound. I just happen to like the overall ergonomics of them.
I only plug basses in to hear the amplified sound if i like the way they play/feel/sound UNPLUGGED.
I actually quite like lipstick pickups,i had a 3-pickup Danelectro Hodad Bass for years....

 

[BassmentPlayer]

>>I never said i was interested in the Mustang bass' sound. I just happen to like the overall ergonomics of them.

Interesting.

It does shine a light on how hard it is to make a bass theses days.

With the bridge placement for example (big part of ergonomics), it was a deal maker for me and breaker for someone else.

 

[40Hz]

I really wanted to like it since I enjoy short-scale basses and the sound of lipstick pups.

But like some of the others here, I came away very unimpressed after I tried one. I liked the looks ('60s surf band cool), the color (gorgeous!), and the feel of the thing. But I did not care for the sound it produced at all.

I was really disappointed with Fender for that one. Especially after the big deal they were making about it when it was released. I think a person with a modicum of knowledge, a screwdriver, and a handful of pre-owned parts could have come up with something far better than that bass. Considering it came from the mind of one of Fender's Custom Shop notables, I almost wonder if it was an inside joke and they had a bet going to see if it would sell despite it being such a "meh" bass.

 

[lz4005]

What was the tone issue with it? I never got to see one in person.

Seemed like it would be a good studio layering piece. Like a VI but with wider spacing.

 

[BassmentPlayer]

>>But I did not care for the sound it produced at all.

You should have stopped there.

 

[BassmentPlayer]

>>What was the tone issue with it?

I can't say, it went from jazz growl to off the scale.

If that wasn't what you want then the tone would be 'bad' according to some.

I suspect the layering thing would work too.

Myself, I like having basses that have different natural tones.

 

[Chico Ruger]

(P.S. Please don't say it was because it was a SS, other manufacturers make them and make money off them.)

It was because it was a SS.

 

[BassmentPlayer]

It was because it was a SS.

:*)

I am sure you meant it was a Fender SS.

 

[nonohmic]

Love the fret markers!

 

[Linnin]

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- Steve

Bingo-Zingo! Still Available!

 

[Linnin]

I am not a fan of short scale, nor am I right-handed, but if I was I wouldn't hesitate two seconds to order a Fender Rascal Bass. The Seymour Duncan reproduction Danelectro 'Lip-Stick Tube' pickups are killer and sound just like the originals. The Rascal is Made In Mexico and quality is excellent.