Leak? Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

[J Posega]

I went back and skimmed through for an idea of the strings folks are using:

• Daddario Chromes in medium scale
• La Bella flats for Mustangs
• TI Jazz Flats in short scale
• GHS Pressurewounds in ??? scale
• EB Cobalt flats in long scale with some overwinding on the E

Any others that folks have tried?

 

[scotch]

I have one, on the way as well! Also, curious about what strings are people using?

D'Addario medium scale Chromes.

 

[davelowell2]

I went back and skimmed through for an idea of the strings folks are using:

• Daddario Chromes in medium scale
• La Bella flats for Mustangs
• TI Jazz Flats in short scale
• GHS Pressurewounds in ??? scale
• EB Cobalt flats in long scale with some overwinding on the E

Any others that folks have tried?

Pressurewounds are 34” scale for me…

 

[scotch]

I've been using this bass for a while now in my studio. Just want to update that I'm still finding the Squier Rascal super useful! I've rerecorded a few songs with it and used it on some demos and an independent country music project. The Rascal fits into a sonic spot that works really well in a dense mix, but without sounding thin. Hard to describe, but it's a unique paintbrush to have!

The super thin neck coupled with the short scale might feel like a toy to some 34" scale purists, but it's certainly easy to play! The tone control is effective throughout its range and pickup output is very strong. The only part I would criticize is the 3 way toggle, which are almost always less than ideal at this price point! It can be a little temperamental/intermittent after sitting unused for a week or so but works fine after being cycled a few times.

Love this bass, WELL worth the paltry investment!

 

[astheshipsails]

Does anyone have the bridge string spacing and the pickup dimensions?

 

[J Posega]

Does anyone have the bridge string spacing and the pickup dimensions?

Mine is being delivered this afternoon. I'll get those measurements for you.

I see you're in Portland, too. Hi from the downtown/PSU area.

 

[astheshipsails]

Mine is being delivered this afternoon. I'll get those measurements for you.

I see you're in Portland, too. Hi from the downtown/PSU area.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I work in downtown Portland, so pretty close to where you are.

 

[J Posega]

Bass arrived safe and sound. Will get some pics and those measurements later, but a quick lunchtime jam confirms it's a great little-big bass.

Luckily, it's not as heavy as the one I tried at GC. I'd estimate at the lower 9 pound range.

Unfortunately, there are two very small finish cracks around the neck heel. Nothing that causes any concern about stability, but I'm going to reach out to Fender and see if I can't get a couple bucks refunded since it's not pristine condition. Maybe that's why they put the pink ones on sale?

I've got a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats coming for this bass, too, so I'll share some thoughts on the bass + stock strings and the bass + Cobalts over the weekend.

 

[Iridescentone]

I've been using this bass for a while now in my studio. Just want to update that I'm still finding the Squier Rascal super useful! I've rerecorded a few songs with it and used it on some demos and an independent country music project. The Rascal fits into a sonic spot that works really well in a dense mix, but without sounding thin. Hard to describe, but it's a unique paintbrush to have!

The super thin neck coupled with the short scale might feel like a toy to some 34" scale purists, but it's certainly easy to play! The tone control is effective throughout its range and pickup output is very strong. The only part I would criticize is the 3 way toggle, which are almost always less than ideal at this price point! It can be a little temperamental/intermittent after sitting unused for a week or so but works fine after being cycled a few times.

Love this bass, WELL worth the paltry investment!

Still haven't snagged one yet, but what you've outlined is exactly what I'd be hoping for from this little bass. The ergo layout is a done deal for me, I want it. I really like the easy access to the uppermost frets, too.

I might have to grab a green one when Sweetwater gets them back in stock, so I can pick one that's a nice weight. My gut is telling me that either there's a price increase on the horizon, or it'll be discontinued.

 

[J Posega]

Does anyone have the bridge string spacing and the pickup dimensions?

String spacing is 18mm

Pickups are both 3 1/8” x 2”

 

[J Posega]

The Rascal is by far the sweetest bass I’ve bought in a long time. While it’s slightly heavy and neck dives, the far-forward bridge and plucking position leads me to naturally anchor my forearm on the body more ‘securely’ than I do on my other basses. Because of that, it doesn’t really dive while playing.

I put Ernie Ball Slinky flatwounds (Cobalts) in 105-45 on it and these are also the sweetest new strings I’ve tried in a long time. They’re pretty flexible, quite bright for flats, and very smooth. Not sticky like Chromes. Way better than the La Bella Olinto flats I just put on my J bass last night. The E did get a full winding around the tuner but I think these flats are flexible enough not to be a concern.

The bass just sounds and feels phenomenal. I’m going to take a Scotch Brite pad to the back of the neck because I don’t care for glossy necks, but the proportions of it are just right. The frets are also extraordinarily even and well leveled compared to many cheaper basses I’ve owned. All I did for setup was put the new Cobalt flats on and tighten the truss rod and I’ve got the E sitting at about 1.5mm at the 12th fret. Quite comfortable with some flexible strings and I’m sure I could get the action lower if wanted to.

I’m blown at the price I got it for and would gladly have paid full price.

Sorry, no glamour shots tonight.

 

[fred2720]

I have one, on the way as well! Also, curious about what strings are people using?

T-I JF324--Nickel Wound (Flatwound) Short Scale (32"). Gauge: .043, .056, .070, .106. Made a significant improvement in tone & playability for me. I live in SW Florida & have to do a lot of neck tweaks...however, the T-I strings have been on for over a week & the neck doesn't appear to have moved a bit. I'm still loving my Rascal, big time

 

[J Posega]

I completely forgot about wanting to reach out to Fender about the cracks in the finish because I don't notice them while playing, so I'm not gonna bother.

I've got a 3-string retainer (Guyker clone of the Hipshot version) to install to help pull down the A string and Straplok buttons to install, and besides trading the pickguard with another TBer soon, those are the only mod I think this bass needs.

That said, I might put a no-load tone pot in to get maximum brightness with the tone pot dimed, and I'm curious how series/parallel switching would sound on each pickup. I could see putting lightweight tuners on it, but we'll see how I feel about the balance after I start playing out again and not just sitting on my stool at home.

 

[Jdrier21]

Does anyone know the color code for these humbuckers? I’m looking to add a couple push/pull pots for series/parallel options.

 

[J Posega]

They're likely wired in series, so you can probably take a look at any generic humbucker wiring diagram and figure it out based on what you see on the Squier pickups. I've fully given up trying to find diagrams for specific pickups because every company uses different color wires for some dumb reason.

If you do the mod, let us know how it turns out, I'm curious how these big pickups sound in parallel.

I normally prefer simple switching, but with this bass I feel like I'd enjoy having some of those Jazz bass "in between" sounds, like maxing the bridge pickup volume and turning the neck pickup just a little lower than max or vice versa. I might rewire mine to move the tone pot to the switch location, and put a second volume pot in the original tone pot location.

 

[Jdrier21]

They're likely wired in series, so you can probably take a look at any generic humbucker wiring diagram and figure it out based on what you see on the Squier pickups. I've fully given up trying to find diagrams for specific pickups because every company uses different color wires for some dumb reason.

If you do the mod, let us know how it turns out, I'm curious how these big pickups sound in parallel.

I normally prefer simple switching, but with this bass I feel like I'd enjoy having some of those Jazz bass "in between" sounds, like maxing the bridge pickup volume and turning the neck pickup just a little lower than max or vice versa. I might rewire mine to move the tone pot to the switch location, and put a second volume pot in the original tone pot location.

The way the humbuckers are wired now is Green=signal, Red & White are tied, Black & Bare=ground.
So am I correct in assuming Green is North Start, Black is South Start, and the Red and White are their respective Finishes? My tiny brain and lack of humbucker knowledge wants to tell me that Black is South Finish because it’s currently wired to ground, but I think I’m just confusing myself.

 

[J Posega]

The way the humbuckers are wired now is Green=signal, Red & White are tied, Black & Bare=ground.
So am I correct in assuming Green is North Start, Black is South Start, and the Red and White are their respective Finishes? My tiny brain and lack of humbucker knowledge wants to tell me that Black is South Finish because it’s currently wired to ground, but I think I’m just confusing myself.

Honestly, no clue. I'm kind of a doofus when it comes to wiring and need a drawn out diagram that's color coded to understand.

Maybe this chart will help?

 

[CallMeAl]

I’ve been considering a short scale and the Rascal is now top of my list.

first off, it’s super comfy. No neck dive at all on the one I tried. Maybe cause I’m used to full scale bodies, it just felt very natural, but with the benefit of the tighter fret spacing. The right hand placement felt very natural, I plucked near the bridge and it just felt right. I don’t need a lot of versatility I tend to pick one spot for each bass and pluck there- so this works for me. Only complaint was the body felt a little clunky and chunky under my forearm but not too bad.

pickups are unreal. I love both together, but the bridge solo is awesome too (and I never like bridge pickups solo.) very fun to play.

The runner up contender was a Squier CV Mustang, great bass and fun for different reasons. But I have a sinking feeling if I buy a shorty it’s gonna be this one. So unique and overall just felt quality.

That’s my report, will GAS get me??

 

[klattman]

I’ve been considering a short scale and the Rascal is now top of my list.

first off, it’s super comfy. No neck dive at all on the one I tried. Maybe cause I’m used to full scale bodies, it just felt very natural, but with the benefit of the tighter fret spacing. The right hand placement felt very natural, I plucked near the bridge and it just felt right. I don’t need a lot of versatility I tend to pick one spot for each bass and pluck there- so this works for me. Only complaint was the body felt a little clunky and chunky under my forearm but not too bad.

pickups are unreal. I love both together, but the bridge solo is awesome too (and I never like bridge pickups solo.) very fun to play.

The runner up contender was a Squier CV Mustang, great bass and fun for different reasons. But I have a sinking feeling if I buy a shorty it’s gonna be this one. So unique and overall just felt quality.

That’s my report, will GAS get me??

I have an American fender mustang. I’d recommend the rascal if you like the tone. I still pulled them apart and shielded them because fender just doesn’t do that.
The rascal pickups are heavy. They flex the pickguard when you pull it off. They seem very unique.

 

[J Posega]

I'm swapping pickguards with another TB member and I was surprised by how heavy the pickups are. I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't nearly 1 pound each.