NBD: Squier Rascal

[TeeSee]

The squier rascal has humbucking pickups but i still had noise until I shielded it. Wire loops or ground loops etc can still pick up noise.

I’d recommend shielding always, especially since many basses come with no or woefully inadequate grounding/shielding.

The fender rascal has single coils and also needs shielding/grounding but is only as quiet as the squier when selecting pickup positions 2 (neck plus middle) or 4 (middle plus bridge).

Apart from the pickups the squier and fender rascals are more similar than different. (I actually like the bridge on the squier better).

The Squier bridge is a decent affair in terms of what's it's there to do, my only gripe is the accessibilty to the intonation screws. With my normal length small head cross point I was just able to perfectly intonate E,D & G, but for some reason I couldn't intonate the A enough without fear of stripping the head. I bought some long shank screw drivers from Amazon before in preparation, but when they came the heads were too large. Looks like I'm going to have to fork out some more hard earned to get one that's long enough to use maybe 3 -4 times in my lifetime.

 

[cdef]

I tried out the green variety in my local shop last year, and felt compelled to take it home. Put La Bella's Mustang set on it and used it recently on a bunch of studio tracks. It worked well for the kind of neutral-but-hefty thump the band had in mind. No noise issues at all. It's a largish bass, certainly for a short-scale, but still easy to get around. I find the neck quite comfortable, and (unlike many) even like the gloss finish.

 

[TeeSee]

I tried out the green variety in my local shop last year, and felt compelled to take it home. Put La Bella's Mustang set on it and used it recently on a bunch of studio tracks. It worked well for the kind of neutral-but-hefty thump the band had in mind. No noise issues at all. It's a largish bass, certainly for a short-scale, but still easy to get around. I find the neck quite comfortable, and (unlike many) even like the gloss finish.

It is a bit of a beast in terms of size and yet so comfortable to play too. I agree that the neck is really nice, (even though I de-glossed mine) it's an awesome instrument whatever you do or don't do to it.

 

[klattman]

The Squier bridge is a decent affair in terms of what's it's there to do, my only gripe is the accessibilty to the intonation screws. With my normal length small head cross point I was just able to perfectly intonate E,D & G, but for some reason I couldn't intonate the A enough without fear of stripping the head. I bought some long shank screw drivers from Amazon before in preparation, but when they came the heads were too large. Looks like I'm going to have to fork out some more hard earned to get one that's long enough to use maybe 3 -4 times in my lifetime.

I’ve got several instruments with that problem.

The Squier bridge is a decent affair in terms of what's it's there to do, my only gripe is the accessibilty to the intonation screws. With my normal length small head cross point I was just able to perfectly intonate E,D & G, but for some reason I couldn't intonate the A enough without fear of stripping the head. I bought some long shank screw drivers from Amazon before in preparation, but when they came the heads were too large. Looks like I'm going to have to fork out some more hard earned to get one that's long enough to use maybe 3 -4 times in my lifetime.

i have several instruments with that problem. At least I get some worth out of my long neck screwdriver that I did get just for that.

 

[srosenthal13]

The bridge is definitnely not friendly for my Music Nomad setup screwdriver when it comes to intonation. Not thrilled about having a special screwdriver just for the Rascal intonation, but it's not a big deal.

I'm very pleasantly surprised how well it fits my body when seated. I haven't installed my strap lock buttons yet, so no idea how it is standing. But I don't gig out, I just record at home, so seated is my primary position.

I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger. It's a fun axe.

 

[embellisher]

I love the look of these, and they come in such great colors, it would be hard to decide which one to get.

When something cool like this comes out, I wish I wasn't a committed 5 stringer. But I already own eight 4 strings that rarely get played. Can't justify another.

 

[srosenthal13]

Congrats! Picked up a shell pink one last year and it's a fantastic bass. I know a lot of people like to use flats on them, but considering it's already a fairly dark tone I opted to use short scale DR Sunbeams and they are the perfect string for this bass to my ears. I gigged it at Christmas time with songs that had a lot of walking lines and the 30" scale makes it a total breeze.

Have a LOT of fun with it!

Are the DRs the SNMR-45 set?

 

[fauxtoe]

Are the DRs the SNMR-45 set?

That's them! - DR Sunbeam Nickel Plated Steel Electric Bass Strings Short Scale Set -

 

[definenredefine]

I am putting one in a Mustang right now. Will report back regarding results.

Yes, please!

Incidentally, why aren't these pickups available to purchase separately?

 

[Justyn Brando]

I cannot express how impressed I have been with this beast since I bought it.
I lucked out and snagged this for $314 on black Friday.
Since then I shielded, new pickguard, replaced all electronics, and installed a Freeway toggle switch for coil split options.