Yes, it will be louder. Use the 4 screws around the pickup and use your ears to set the right height. I believe the pole pieces can also be adjusted individually for even volume across the strings, after you've set the overall height and tilt of the pickup
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Leak? Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
- Thread starter Naviiin
- Start date
-
- Tags
- bass paranormal rascal squier
This is pretty normal for a two-pickup bass.
Just use the right size screwdriver to adjust the four screws mounting the pickup to the pickguard and your ears to slowly adjust the pickups.
You don't want them too close to the strings, otherwise it will choke out the vibrations of the string or the strings may hit the pickups during aggressive playing. If your strings come really close to the pickup when you hold them down in the upper register, lower the pickup a bit.
On mine I adjusted both the heights and the pole pieces. Needed the bridge pickup higher than the neck pickup to balance them, as usual.
Since this has a switch and there isn’t a blend, for me they have to be set at the same output level.
Since this has a switch and there isn’t a blend, for me they have to be set at the same output level.
Pink back in stock on Fender’s Invalid Link Removed
OK, so I picked up a pink one last summer. At the $359 sale price, with a matching headstock and the monster humbuckers, I simply couldn't resist. My 2014 Starcaster has humbuckers as well, and that sucker sounds fantastic strung with TI flats (especially when played with a pick!)
Aesthetically, Fender knocked this out of the park with all 3 of the colors they chose. The cool thing as well is so many different pickguards would look great on all 3 colors. Although I've been eyeing the multiple aftermarket choices offered by Precision Guitar (as referenced in the link below,) none are exactly what I've been seeking. However, I found a solution which I believe will look great, so I will post a photo within the next few weeks once I've received and installed. Stay tuned!
Aesthetically, Fender knocked this out of the park with all 3 of the colors they chose. The cool thing as well is so many different pickguards would look great on all 3 colors. Although I've been eyeing the multiple aftermarket choices offered by Precision Guitar (as referenced in the link below,) none are exactly what I've been seeking. However, I found a solution which I believe will look great, so I will post a photo within the next few weeks once I've received and installed. Stay tuned!
That looks GREAT!
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
What size lollipop tuners? Did the holes line up?
I did these. The fit was OK but not tight. The holes do not line up per say but the drilled holes will be covered by the original tuner plates if I decide to go back. They work as intended and I'm happy with them.
(4) Hipshot USA Nickel Ultralite 1/2 LOLLIPOP Bass Machine Heads/Tuners 20675LSN | eBay
(4) Hipshot USA Nickel Ultralite 1/2 LOLLIPOP Bass Machine Heads/Tuners 20675LSN | eBay
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
I've noticed strings come up a lot here in relation to this model, but mostly references to flatwounds and many of those to a couple of relatively expensive sets.
Unfortunately I don't know too much about bass strings. When I restringed my old P-bass 15+ years ago, I just explained I like Super Slinky 9s on guitar but have never had a particular bass preference. They just recommended the cheapest regular bass strings in stock, which I think were GHS Boomers and that's worked out fine.
If I bought a Rascal new, would folks recommend automatically putting new strings on, or stick with what shipped for a little time as I get used to the different scale and design?
Sadly we don't have any independent local guitar stores left, so I'm wary of asking some kid on minimum wage in a chain shop for their expert advice on restringing a 32" string-through body model.
I'll probably end up ordering new strings online, especially if it's a less common SKU that may be hard to find on the high street. Thus in addition to suggestions for a reasonably inexpensive suitable set of roundwounds, please could you advise which UK websites are reputable, don't charge high delivery costs and so forth?
Lastly, given I'm in no rush to buy as I've no genuine need for another bass right now, do folks think this is the kind of model Fender might suddenly put on sale or release a cool FSR edition to encourage buyers during the notoriously slow summer period?
Personally I'd love the option of a maple neck, preferably with '70s style block inlays and moto scratch plate - but that's almost redesigning half the guitar to accommodate my aesthetic sensibilities, hence probably not realistic!
I've been following the usual places via searches and notifications for used sales, but they seem to be surprisingly rare. I'm unsure if this is simply because it's such a niche item, or more a reflection on the relatively high value quality/price ratio thus owners are not keen to sell?
Unfortunately I don't know too much about bass strings. When I restringed my old P-bass 15+ years ago, I just explained I like Super Slinky 9s on guitar but have never had a particular bass preference. They just recommended the cheapest regular bass strings in stock, which I think were GHS Boomers and that's worked out fine.
If I bought a Rascal new, would folks recommend automatically putting new strings on, or stick with what shipped for a little time as I get used to the different scale and design?
Sadly we don't have any independent local guitar stores left, so I'm wary of asking some kid on minimum wage in a chain shop for their expert advice on restringing a 32" string-through body model.
I'll probably end up ordering new strings online, especially if it's a less common SKU that may be hard to find on the high street. Thus in addition to suggestions for a reasonably inexpensive suitable set of roundwounds, please could you advise which UK websites are reputable, don't charge high delivery costs and so forth?
Lastly, given I'm in no rush to buy as I've no genuine need for another bass right now, do folks think this is the kind of model Fender might suddenly put on sale or release a cool FSR edition to encourage buyers during the notoriously slow summer period?
Personally I'd love the option of a maple neck, preferably with '70s style block inlays and moto scratch plate - but that's almost redesigning half the guitar to accommodate my aesthetic sensibilities, hence probably not realistic!
I've been following the usual places via searches and notifications for used sales, but they seem to be surprisingly rare. I'm unsure if this is simply because it's such a niche item, or more a reflection on the relatively high value quality/price ratio thus owners are not keen to sell?
I would say try the strings it comes with, they're not terrible. If you don't like them, change them but it couldn't hurt to give them a shot.
I couldn't begin to guess whether they'll come out with other versions of the rascal, but I would guess that you're not seeing too many used ones for sale yet because of both of those factors you suggested. Looks-wise it's appealingly unique and there aren't really other basses you'd see and say, "well I could get that instead, they look alike". Sound-wise and bang for the buck it's also great. So people are hanging onto them.
I couldn't begin to guess whether they'll come out with other versions of the rascal, but I would guess that you're not seeing too many used ones for sale yet because of both of those factors you suggested. Looks-wise it's appealingly unique and there aren't really other basses you'd see and say, "well I could get that instead, they look alike". Sound-wise and bang for the buck it's also great. So people are hanging onto them.
Finally made the decision and a green one is coming my way in a day or a two.
Arrived today! Looks pretty good with my other green ones:
Changed the strings to a bit lighter ones (had an old set of D'addario EXL170) and luckily as it is a string through body the long scale strings do fit even 'though I may try medium scales for it.
Pickups are indeed hot and I lowered them quite a bit. Then a quarter of a turn of the truss rod and that's about it. Doesn't feel that heavy to me and balances nicely with the strap.
Tested through the pedal board. Slightly overdriven and through a cab simulator. Some stupid riffing with first both pickups on with a pick, then the neck pickup with a thumb (which felt and most likely sounds like it got stuck between the strings...), repeat that, then the bridge pickup with fingers and then both pickups played separately in stereo (overdubbed and panned to left and right).
Definitely dark sounding bass. I like it. The thumb/slap thing (which isn't my forte...) with the neck pickup is very much to my liking, reminds me of the sounds Doug Rauch got or Larry Johnson with his Rickenbacker on Betty Davis albums. The bridge pickup soloed would be nice to compare to the Dan Armstrong/Ampeg plexibass, looks like it is roughly in the same position.
Both pickups on is my fav 'though and that sound got me sold to this bass eventually.
Changed the strings to a bit lighter ones (had an old set of D'addario EXL170) and luckily as it is a string through body the long scale strings do fit even 'though I may try medium scales for it.
Pickups are indeed hot and I lowered them quite a bit. Then a quarter of a turn of the truss rod and that's about it. Doesn't feel that heavy to me and balances nicely with the strap.
Tested through the pedal board. Slightly overdriven and through a cab simulator. Some stupid riffing with first both pickups on with a pick, then the neck pickup with a thumb (which felt and most likely sounds like it got stuck between the strings...), repeat that, then the bridge pickup with fingers and then both pickups played separately in stereo (overdubbed and panned to left and right).
Definitely dark sounding bass. I like it. The thumb/slap thing (which isn't my forte...) with the neck pickup is very much to my liking, reminds me of the sounds Doug Rauch got or Larry Johnson with his Rickenbacker on Betty Davis albums. The bridge pickup soloed would be nice to compare to the Dan Armstrong/Ampeg plexibass, looks like it is roughly in the same position.
Both pickups on is my fav 'though and that sound got me sold to this bass eventually.
I'm already beginning to regret the purchase. Not because there's anything wrong with the bass but it made me gas for a Telecaster bass with those humbuckers in those locations. Very much like John Sauter had actually:
Already have three Telecasters but not with those pickups and those locations so there's a reason indeed! Of course there's a slight problem of not having the pickups or the bass to mod them with not to mention the means to do it...
Already have three Telecasters but not with those pickups and those locations so there's a reason indeed! Of course there's a slight problem of not having the pickups or the bass to mod them with not to mention the means to do it...
Sounds like a project
I'm afraid you're right. But if those Squier 50's P-basses are as good quality as the Rascal then there's a platform. I wish they'd sell the pickups separately.
BTW, has anyone measured what the ohmmeter tells about the pickups?
