I think I have to buy black because I already have a sherwood green bass, but that ole Rascal Sherwood be fun to throw around.
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
The Rascal is based on the body of the bass vi, which needed a long body to house the Jazzmaster style vibrato. The geometry is also similar to the short scale Rickenbacker 4030, though that bass has 24 frets.
Looks great!
Looks great!
D
String through body is the only thing that may be a dealbreaker for me. It's hard enough to find decent short scale strings. With medium(ish) scale there's even less to choose from. Also, I wouldn't use most types of flats with a string through body bass, even if they're available in a suitable length. There's the LaBella Mustang set of course but I've always found LaBellas bordeline dark/muddy for my taste on short scale basses (love them on long scale though). With these humbuckers I have a feeling LaBellas will be too dark/muddy for me. TI Jazz Flats are flexible enough for through body in my experience but their short/medium sets are horribly unbalanced, to the point of being unplayable IMO (the long scale sets are amazing though). Come to think of it, the .106 E-string in the TIJF short scale set might actually be a bit stiff to risk it on a though body bass.
I don't think I would want to risk any other flats with a string through body bridge. The Pyramid Gold short scale sets are probably a perfect length for these basses but I would never use them on a through body bass, they're probably too stiff and may unravel.
With roundwounds I guess long scale strings will be ok as long as you're willing to have quite a bit of the fully wound E-string around the tuning post. I've rarely had any issues with this on Fender-style tuners but it's not exactly ideal...
I would have much preferred the Starfire-style bridge on the Fender Rascals, or at least a bridge that could be used with the strings through the bridge. I guess they had to use already available cheaper parts in this price range. The bridge looks identical to the Squier Mustang bass bridge, which is slightly different to the Fender Mustang bass bridge. Modding this Rascal to a standard Fender-style bridge would be quite easy of course but it wouldn't look as nice and the looks are the main selling point for me here (and don't tell me looks don't matter
).
It may be a reflection on that bridge but it looks like it may have the option of top-load, really can’t find any specs yet. I don’t play short scales normally, (I do have an EB-0) it is strung with long scale round wounds (no issues with this) but I would also be hesitant to run flats on the string through bodies, all good info…
Looks great and I wouldn't change a thing. Love the wide range humbuckers and the pickup positions (not in the muddy area).
My only short scale is the Danelectro Longhorn so this would be suitably different to justify a purchase. Not that I play the Dano too often...
EDIT: The big bridge plate threw me off a bit so they pickups may be a bit too far from the bridge. Just trying to get ungassed here...
My only short scale is the Danelectro Longhorn so this would be suitably different to justify a purchase. Not that I play the Dano too often...
EDIT: The big bridge plate threw me off a bit so they pickups may be a bit too far from the bridge. Just trying to get ungassed here...
Last edited:
If it has the same body and neck as the 3 lipstick pickup model then yes it is a 30" scale.
Attachments
The Fender Rascal from a few years ago was heavy as hell and was as long as a 34" bass.
These look cool though.
These look cool though.
As mentioned by others, that bridge placement looks much too far from the end of the body for a good balance or reasonable overall size for a short scale instrument.
Do those designers at Fender actually play bass guitar?
Do those designers at Fender actually play bass guitar?
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
My short-scale '65 Japanese Teisco Del Rey EB-200 & NB-1 are as long as a Jazz bass. The Fender and now Squier Rascals are visually nodding to those '60s short-scales. It has everything to do with where the bridge is - basically closer to central on the body. On the Del Rey, the hs was very large - which also helped extend the overall length. I think it was a way to have a short-scale player that was visually as big as a full-scale bass. (as in, it didn't look like a 'toy') Most basses from '60s Japan were short (in length) short-scales and there were only a couple 34" scale basses from Japan in the late '60s. Oh, and these Del Reys are light (around 8lbs), balance well, and sound great.
Last edited:
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,591
- 221,980
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Oh, and they look cool, too!
They do! There's a couple on eBay right now (no affiliation) Seriously, if you want a good sounding, easy playing short-scale bass - these are very good instruments. As with any '60s vintage bass - just make sure the neck is good (not warped etc). There were many of these made from the mid to late '60s and come up for sale commonly. They come badged with a few different names, one of which through Sears as Silvertone. Famous bass players of the EB-200 included Johnny Paycheck and Flee.
Last edited:
Color me intrigued by this little bass. I've had a Starcaster on my GAS list for years. They're kinda scarce and I don't feel like paying the $1K+ they seem to be going for when used ones occasionally pop up. Plus, the Starcasters seem to run kinda heavy, if what I read on the webs is accurate....like 10lbs-ish (?)
If the Rascal has the same bulldozer pickups as the Starcaster, I expect it'll sound similar to the SC, despite sans semi-hollow body. At the price, it seems worth a tryout.
What I discovered with a G&L Fallout, is the forward-mounted bridge is a feature, not a bug (for me, anyway). The Fallout hangs like a full scale, without feeling cramped when playing above the 10th fret, like a typical 30" bass usually does (to me). Win win.
If the Rascal has the same bulldozer pickups as the Starcaster, I expect it'll sound similar to the SC, despite sans semi-hollow body. At the price, it seems worth a tryout.
What I discovered with a G&L Fallout, is the forward-mounted bridge is a feature, not a bug (for me, anyway). The Fallout hangs like a full scale, without feeling cramped when playing above the 10th fret, like a typical 30" bass usually does (to me). Win win.
Looks like a design error to me.
I'd be very interested in it if the bridge/pickups/neck were moved down 4 or 5" to make it a short scale other than in name only.
I'd be very interested in it if the bridge/pickups/neck were moved down 4 or 5" to make it a short scale other than in name only.
Found a guys show up his new bought Player P in BRG, but look pretty ugly on my view.
Don't know why , this Squier Rascal just look sexy with Sherwood green on fender web image.
Don't know why , this Squier Rascal just look sexy with Sherwood green on fender web image.
Last edited:
That’s why I love Squier. They get to make all the cool stuff.
I just hope this means the WR humbuckers will be easier (and cheaper) to source.
When Fender was making the Modern Player starcaster bass & HH telebass those pickups were being sold for about $80-$90, then seemingly overnight they were gone.
Only options now are from a few boutique makers, and their price reflects that.
When Fender was making the Modern Player starcaster bass & HH telebass those pickups were being sold for about $80-$90, then seemingly overnight they were gone.
Only options now are from a few boutique makers, and their price reflects that.
