Leak? Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

[Greenlion]

Three things would make me wary of buying this bass.

1. String through body: That extra string stretch to get through the body probably means that normal short-scale string sets will not work on this bass. You'd have to chose from the VERY narrow offerings for medium scale bass or wind big wads of non-tapered full scale string onto the low E post. I wish there was a string-through-bridge option so you could use normal short-scale strings.
2. The neck humbucker looks like it would be right where your hand needs to be to play slap. Not that this is the best format for slap bass, but still, it looks like it might be awkward if you did.
3. The bridge being shifted so far toward the neck, compared to something like a Jaguar short-scale bass, means the reach to the first fret is going to make you stretch out as far as you would on a full scale bass. If you don't mind playing full 34" scale, it would not be an issue, but if you wanted short-scale for comfort and easier reach, this bass will not give you that.

I do really like the look of the green Rascal Bass, and will definitely try one if guitar center ever has them in stock here. Maybe the things I listed wouldn't be as big of an issue as I think they would.

 

[Yahboy]

Three things would make me wary of buying this bass.

1. String through body: That extra string stretch to get through the body probably means that normal short-scale string sets will not work on this bass. You'd have to chose from the VERY narrow offerings for medium scale bass or wind big wads of non-tapered full scale string onto the low E post. I wish there was a string-through-bridge option so you could use normal short-scale strings.
2. The neck humbucker looks like it would be right where your hand needs to be to play slap. Not that this is the best format for slap bass, but still, it looks like it might be awkward if you did.
3. The bridge being shifted so far toward the neck, compared to something like a Jaguar short-scale bass, means the reach to the first fret is going to make you stretch out as far as you would on a full scale bass. If you don't mind playing full 34" scale, it would not be an issue, but if you wanted short-scale for comfort and easier reach, this bass will not give you that.

I do really like the look of the green Rascal Bass, and will definitely try one if guitar center ever has them in stock here. Maybe the things I listed wouldn't be as big of an issue as I think they would.

I think this rascal bass main selling point are unique look and sexy greeeeeeen.

She also suit for player who prefer put his plucking hand very close to neck on 34' scale bass. The large body of rascal are become arm rest. Try imaging, how relax to play with it.

 

[davelowell2]

I’m wondering if anybody has measured the string from string through to nut? Thinking about mine arriving Friday and strings…

 

[timendous]

I can check when I get home. But everything I've seen has indicated that you need medium scale strings. Honestly, I bought some medium scale Chromes for this before I even received it, thinking I'd want to warm it up, but doesn't need them. The stock strings sound fantastic.

 

[steimlem]

Three things would make me wary of buying this bass.

3. The bridge being shifted so far toward the neck, compared to something like a Jaguar short-scale bass, means the reach to the first fret is going to make you stretch out as far as you would on a full scale bass. If you don't mind playing full 34" scale, it would not be an issue, but if you wanted short-scale for comfort and easier reach, this bass will not give you that.

As a 6' tall dude with long arms and tiny hands this is a pro for me. I'm probably in the minority of course, but most short scales, while providing potential benefits for my tiny hands, are quite uncomfortable due to the neck being too close to my body unless i play over my left leg while sitting or something.

 

[timendous]

As a 6' tall dude with long arms and tiny hands this is a pro for me. I'm probably in the minority of course, but most short scales, while providing potential benefits for my tiny hands, are quite uncomfortable due to the neck being too close to my body unless i play over my left leg while sitting or something.

This is me! I'm 6'2" and I love the feel of playing a short scale but felt like they felt small on me. That is one of the things I love about the Rascal. I had been worried about where my hand would naturally hang to pluck the strings, but it is not an issue.

The sound on this bass is incredible. All three pickup positions. I could not be more in love with it. This is my perfect bass.

 

[Yahboy]

 

[LowEndLobster]

Oh boy.... La Bella 760F-MUS flats on the Rascal are absolute heaven. Dialed them in perfectly and they are absolutely at home on this bass. I filmed the full review yesterday and started filming a comparison with the Epiphone Newport. Both are vintage style dual humbucker MIC short scales priced at $450. The newport had a rough launch and build wise I think the Rascal is 100000% better in every conceivable way, but I still think it's interesting to compare the two. Doing the comparison with both rounds and flats. I've been procrastinating on filming the second half with the flats as I installed em last night.... the Rascal just sounds so good with em, I don't want to put it down.

 

[skycruiser]

Oh boy.... La Bella 760F-MUS flats on the Rascal are absolute heaven. Dialed them in perfectly and they are absolutely at home on this bass. I filmed the full review yesterday and started filming a comparison with the Epiphone Newport. Both are vintage style dual humbucker MIC short scales priced at $450. The newport had a rough launch and build wise I think the Rascal is 100000% better in every conceivable way, but I still think it's interesting to compare the two. Doing the comparison with both rounds and flats. I've been procrastinating on filming the second half with the flats as I installed em last night.... the Rascal just sounds so good with em, I don't want to put it down.

Based on the pickup screws that are visible, do you think the pickups are P-bass style split coils? The double-single coil type humbuckers have never really worked for me. But I might give a double-P a try. This is a really cool looking instrument.

 

[Jebberz]

Oh boy.... La Bella 760F-MUS flats on the Rascal are absolute heaven. Dialed them in perfectly and they are absolutely at home on this bass. I filmed the full review yesterday and started filming a comparison with the Epiphone Newport. Both are vintage style dual humbucker MIC short scales priced at $450. The newport had a rough launch and build wise I think the Rascal is 100000% better in every conceivable way, but I still think it's interesting to compare the two. Doing the comparison with both rounds and flats. I've been procrastinating on filming the second half with the flats as I installed em last night.... the Rascal just sounds so good with em, I don't want to put it down.

Can't wait for this tests. Also, did you tried how ergonomy works standing up with a Strap? I'm worries that the plucking hand natural position falls behind the bridge...

Thanks!

 

[LowEndLobster]

Here's a pic rocking the flats.

I haven't looked at the setup of the pickups yet. I think they're not the same setup as a split P. I think they're two full length bobbins with two dummy magnets but full length coils, but I'll take a peek with the magnetic paper to see if I can get a better idea. I don't want to take em apart as it's setup so perfectly right now.

Ergonomics wise, I'd say this is a weird bass but not a bad bass. My hand naturally wants to go towards the "neck pickup" position on a regular bass, which takes me to right between the neck pickup and bridge pickup on this. It's strange but it works. It's definitely not a slapper but it does fingerstlye and pick stuff superbly.

 

[J Posega]

I was pretty surprised that the Rascal looked way better in Lobster's review than I thought it looked in pictures. Also really surprised by the tone... that bridge pickup sounds better than most Jazz basses I've played.

And now I see that Shell Pink is coming. The nasty red tort guard is terrible. I don't need another bass. I don't need another short scale bass. I don't need another pink bass. But after I move, we'll see if I have any leftover funds.

 

[timendous]

The bridge pickup tone is the most surprising element of this bass to me. I have never had a bass that I really loved the sound of the bridge pickup soloed, but this one is so good.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

The bridge pickup tone is the most surprising element of this bass to me. I have never had a bass that I really loved the sound of the bridge pickup soloed, but this one is so good.

How would you characterise it … Is it mudbucker or P?

Come to think of it, are they humbuckers? Any 60 cycle ?

 

[timendous]

Not mudbucker. More P. No hum.

 

[stonehenge]

Played mine on a few gigs over the weekend, bridge placement seems to make no big difference to me, setup was so good out of the box I haven’t adjusted anything yet! It’s a tiny bit neck divey but not a big deal, pickups are slightly dark but it may be that I’m just more used to single coils.

 

[timendous]

Oh boy.... La Bella 760F-MUS flats on the Rascal are absolute heaven. Dialed them in perfectly and they are absolutely at home on this bass. I filmed the full review yesterday and started filming a comparison with the Epiphone Newport. Both are vintage style dual humbucker MIC short scales priced at $450. The newport had a rough launch and build wise I think the Rascal is 100000% better in every conceivable way, but I still think it's interesting to compare the two. Doing the comparison with both rounds and flats. I've been procrastinating on filming the second half with the flats as I installed em last night.... the Rascal just sounds so good with em, I don't want to put it down.

After reading this I decided to try Chromes on my Rascal.

Lobster is right (shocker). Flats sound and feel so nice on this bass. I did a little set up on it after changing the strings and it responded beautifully.

 

[Robot.G]

Mine should arrive tomorrow! Ordered directly from Fender. As of right now they have both colors in stock.

 

[davelowell2]

@timendous What scale did you use?

 

[timendous]

@timendous What scale did you use?

Medium scale, they fit perfectly.