Does anyone have experience with the Fender Rascal Bass? Any idea a fair price for a used one? I play upright, semi-pro, but sometimes I'm in a very small area and need a small bass. Mostly classic rock and country.
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Fender Rascal Bass
- Thread starter Willie Detroit
- Start date
I don't own one but the general consensus is due to the neck being mounted so "forward" (compare the bridge location to a mustang or other short scale bass), that the bass is almost as long as a long scale bass.
That being said, I love the look of them.
There are other threads here but my rascal is exactly as long as my standard p bass.
It is 30” scale but the bridge is closer to the middle of the body so left hand it reaches like a normal scale. Right hand wants to pluck closer to the bridge since the normal place you pluck a standard bass ends up nearer to the bridge.
I pulled mine apart and shielded it and I can tell you those pickups aren’t kidding around. They are so heavy you have to be careful flopping the pickguard around.
The pickups have a vintage tone not unlike a thunderbird. They won’t do a glassy open jazz bass kind of sound. They are also very high output so having an input buffer or input gain control before or on the amp can help. They sound huge and work well as they are designed for that sound.
The neck is comfortable and the bridge and hardware is solid. My only gripe is the back of the neck is very glossy and I plan to work on making that less sticky.
It’s not as versatile as other bases has it has its own voice. It’s a good voice but not for everything.
It is 30” scale but the bridge is closer to the middle of the body so left hand it reaches like a normal scale. Right hand wants to pluck closer to the bridge since the normal place you pluck a standard bass ends up nearer to the bridge.
I pulled mine apart and shielded it and I can tell you those pickups aren’t kidding around. They are so heavy you have to be careful flopping the pickguard around.
The pickups have a vintage tone not unlike a thunderbird. They won’t do a glassy open jazz bass kind of sound. They are also very high output so having an input buffer or input gain control before or on the amp can help. They sound huge and work well as they are designed for that sound.
The neck is comfortable and the bridge and hardware is solid. My only gripe is the back of the neck is very glossy and I plan to work on making that less sticky.
It’s not as versatile as other bases has it has its own voice. It’s a good voice but not for everything.
Heavy, huge and weird playing position for 30 scale bass guitar. Since you play upright, i think Vintera 70s P or used Squier VM Tele bass + nylon tape bass string has " that tone " for you.
If i want rich , power ,dark tone and 30's scale, i go with Epiphone SG EB0 .
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EBG0CHCH--epiphone-eb-0-cherry
If i want rich , power ,dark tone and 30's scale, i go with Epiphone SG EB0 .
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EBG0CHCH--epiphone-eb-0-cherry
Quite a few available on Reverb...$900 to $1,800
You might want to try the new Squier Paranormal Rascal, though, if you want an FSO...unbelievably nice and several color options instead of one, better bass, too, and readily available in stores if you don't want to gamble and buy the Fender online.
Sorry, but I found the Fender somewhat lacking.
(Not to mention, with the Squier you get bragging rights.)
Other than that, you can't do any better than a G&L Fallout bass.
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Just want to mention that in my post above, I was referring to the squier rascal, which is available an inexpensive. I see the ~2015 fender run going for used for more than double the squier new.
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I saw a decent amount of users on here were selling there's.
Also Sweetwater in waves will sell a lot of them as demo models. Keep an eye on Fender's website as well and other music stores, Sweetwater is best IMO for online orders.
I tried one, loved it, I love short scales, yeah it is a "big bass" so when traveling it takes up the same room as a long scale but the short scale is what I love, I honestly personally like it being a big bass but having a short scale because it gives the illusion of being big haha.
It's on my list for next bass to buy for sure it fits well for Shoegaze and Indie rock for me, and it will for sure work in blues for my context of playing. I also wouldn't be afraid of using it in a big band setting, but I saw a guy using a Tribute bass in a Big Band and man it sounded good I got to say... next tried one always think of just giving into GAS and adding it to the collection even when I do not need it.
But amp rig is first thing I am getting when I get some money.
Also Sweetwater in waves will sell a lot of them as demo models. Keep an eye on Fender's website as well and other music stores, Sweetwater is best IMO for online orders.
I tried one, loved it, I love short scales, yeah it is a "big bass" so when traveling it takes up the same room as a long scale but the short scale is what I love, I honestly personally like it being a big bass but having a short scale because it gives the illusion of being big haha.
It's on my list for next bass to buy for sure it fits well for Shoegaze and Indie rock for me, and it will for sure work in blues for my context of playing. I also wouldn't be afraid of using it in a big band setting, but I saw a guy using a Tribute bass in a Big Band and man it sounded good I got to say... next tried one always think of just giving into GAS and adding it to the collection even when I do not need it.
But amp rig is first thing I am getting when I get some money.
I play a lot of upright, and occasionally the load-in is just too crazy for the big bass. So I bring an electric. What kind? I use the same thing Leo invented specifically to replace the upright bass - a Precision with flatwound strings, foam rubber under the strings at the bridge, and the tone control rolled off. Works a treat.
No, it doesn't sound EXACTLY like an upright; but if you play the same notes in the same way as you would on upright, it will slot right in and perform the same function beautifully. I have had many experiences where guys who'd only ever seen me playing upright gave me the stink-eye when they saw me strap on the electric, but then they gave me the thumbs-up after I played a set.
The great thing about the Precision is there are so many of that design out there. I paid something like $200 all in for my Squier P bass (I joke that "it's so cheap you don't even get "recision") and a set of flatwounds. I did a modest setup on it myself with feeler gauges and allen wrenches, took half an hour. I use the same amp I use for the upright. Try it, you'll like it. Just don't start thinking the electric gives you the choice to go full rock and roll on the bossa gig.
No, it doesn't sound EXACTLY like an upright; but if you play the same notes in the same way as you would on upright, it will slot right in and perform the same function beautifully. I have had many experiences where guys who'd only ever seen me playing upright gave me the stink-eye when they saw me strap on the electric, but then they gave me the thumbs-up after I played a set.
The great thing about the Precision is there are so many of that design out there. I paid something like $200 all in for my Squier P bass (I joke that "it's so cheap you don't even get "recision") and a set of flatwounds. I did a modest setup on it myself with feeler gauges and allen wrenches, took half an hour. I use the same amp I use for the upright. Try it, you'll like it. Just don't start thinking the electric gives you the choice to go full rock and roll on the bossa gig.
Recently sold one of these. It sounded good and finish was much better than expected given it's price point. It is a BIG bass though. Body is every bit as big if not bigger than a standard Jazz. Given how far forward the bridge it mounted, the bass is just as long as a standard P or J and barely fit in a Fender FB620 gig bag. If you like the look size, it is hard to go wrong for the price. If you want a true short scale, I can imagine there are better options out there.
The Fender Rascal has lipstick tube pickups, so the first thing is understanding if you like the tone of lipsticks or not. Don't get me wrong, a good set of flats is a great equalizer and can make any bass sound good. However, they are different sounding than standard magnetic pickups.
As stated within the post, the Squier Paranormal has big humbuckers (which sound lovely with flats as well, BTW.) These basses are an incredible value.
+1
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If you want a small bass for cramped stages, and classic Fender-ish sounds, I have enjoyed a few models of the Fender Mustang bass, and now play a Fender Junior Collection Jazz Bass, though these are harder to come by (via Japan only).
Another thing in favor of the Precision is that for those of us who use proper left hand technique on upright (1,2,4 or the rarer 1,3,4) the spacing on the 34" scale bass works well with that fingering. I know that standard practice for electric bass is one finger per fret, and if I were to start playing electric seriously I'd hike up my pants and learn to play that way, but for what I do, substituting for upright and mostly down in the low positions, 124 works fine and I don't have to learn new fingerings.
Upgrade the Mustang pickup with a Nordy. It has a little more wire than a Mustang stock pickup, and it has dual poles per string like a P-pickup. So it bridges the gap between Mustang and P-bass tones. I did that with my short scale travel bass and the tone is huge with great sustain.
Man, pretty hard to beat having a decent Pbass for classic rock and country. If you only have the upright then you can't go wrong with a P as your only bass guitar. I'd actually say it's an essential (IMHO of course
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But if it's gotta be shortscale I agree--look at Mustangs, and also consider the G&L Fallout, and either a Dano or Jerry Jones Longhorn. These will all get you to the classic/rootsy place no problemo but are totally versatile enough for many genres.
)But if it's gotta be shortscale I agree--look at Mustangs, and also consider the G&L Fallout, and either a Dano or Jerry Jones Longhorn. These will all get you to the classic/rootsy place no problemo but are totally versatile enough for many genres.
Indeed. position 1/2 is great for songs in flat keys, and position 1 is great for songs in sharp keys.
Yeah, my concern would be that a short scale is going to feel like a toy to you if you're used to upright. I've wanted to like short scales for as long as I've played bass, but once I started playing upright they were pretty much out for me. There's something about hopping from upright to a 34" Fender(ish) scale that just feels so much more natural to me. Just personal preference, of course, but if you haven't played a Mustang (just as an example) before, I'd strongly recommend you get one in-hand before you spend the money on one. The neck profile is a BIG jump.
Coming from the guitar world, I'm ignorant of proper DB fingerings To me, the Fender bass is a guitar on a larger scale, and one finger per fret is the way to get around it, no matter the key. Scale, though, is an interesting concept in itself. After close to a lifetime on 34!", these days, I'm finding 30" does deliver more of a fundamental pitch, with less overtones. For a smaller bass, the Sire U5 is my favorite now - well built, light, and not expensive.
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I would not choose it as my first electric bass. The pickups are not humbuckers so expect 60-cycle hum. They are rare and sought after by some so expect to pay $1,200-1,800. If you want to stick with a short-scale bass (why? you play an upright!), look into the Fender Player-Series Mustang bass. They're very good, less expensive and plentiful in the new and used markets.
I have a Squier Paranormal Rascal in Shell Pink that I absolutely love. It's heavy and has pretty bad neck dive, but not bad with a decent strap though. I love the way it sounds and as someone who switches between long scale, fanned fret and short scale regularly, I like the more forward playing position which makes it feel like less of an adjustment than switching to one of my other shorties. I got mine on a deal because of some cosmetic damage and then it incurred even more damage in shipping, so I ended up getting it for about $140 after the seller did a partial refund. I took it to my tech and had a full set up, fret dressing, and upgraded pots and it totally kills. Even though I have basses worth 20x that much, I still have a hard time putting it down! All in, I have less than $300 invested in it and it sounds like waaaaay more than that. In my opinion, one of the deals on an affordable bass out there. Definitely gig worthy and something you can play for years without feeling like it's holding you back.
I wonder if the OP was asking about the Fender Rascal or the Squier Rascal. Two very different animals. Looks like many of the folks commenting are assuming it's the Squier.
