Squier Paranormal Rascal bass alternative for beginner

[kensol]

Hi guys!

I am having a hard time getting my hands on a Paranormal Rascal. My local store might get some late November, but it could take until the end of January next year they say.

I'm getting back into playing, was never any good, but I'm giving it another shot and I really like the look of the Rascal. Also it seems to be pretty well made and a lot of value for money. My other bass was a Jaguar medium scale which was cool and sounded good. This one I sold.

I'm not sure I'm willing to wait too long to buy a new bass and I have been looking at the 40th anniversary P-bass. I can get one online for about the same price as the Rascal. Will not be able to try before I buy though.

Does anyone have experience with the two, is one much different than the other as a beginner's instrument? Quality-wise? Value for money?

I guess the sound isn't super important to me right now, I want to learn how to play, that's the most important thing.

Can anyone help me decide?

 

[thrashingbass]

P bass is the "perfect" platform to learn bass-and honestly, that 40th Anniversary P bass is really good, and could last you a lifetime. But it *is* long scale, average weight (not heavy, or light.)

The Rascal is short scale, but seemingly feels like a long scale jazz bass after all. So definitely not super light. I do nit have it, but seems like a great niche nass to have. Yes you could very well learn to play on unorthodox basses, and the Rascal is supposed to be good-but my honest advice would be the 40th Anniversary bass, *especially* if on sale.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Hi guys!

I am having a hard time getting my hands on a Paranormal Rascal. My local store might get some late November, but it could take until the end of January next year they say.

I'm getting back into playing, was never any good, but I'm giving it another shot and I really like the look of the Rascal. Also it seems to be pretty well made and a lot of value for money. My other bass was a Jaguar medium scale which was cool and sounded good. This one I sold.

I'm not sure I'm willing to wait too long to buy a new bass and I have been looking at the 40th anniversary P-bass. I can get one online for about the same price as the Rascal. Will not be able to try before I buy though.

Does anyone have experience with the two, is one much different than the other as a beginner's instrument? Quality-wise? Value for money?

I guess the sound isn't super important to me right now, I want to learn how to play, that's the most important thing.

Can anyone help me decide?

I can give you a beginner's perspective as I'm a 64 year old raw n00b that bought a Rascal at the end of August. I wanted the short scale and am glad I got it, it's been much easier for me while I learn the basics. My health is still mostly OK but a few things affect me (like I need to get Dupytren's fixed in both hands) and the shorter reach while I learn basic fret technique, positions, etc. has IMO been helpful. I also have a rental from the school where I'm taking lessons - a Squier Affinity Precision PJ - so I can compare them back to back. The PJ is great, BTW, but of the two (and the only two I've ever held, so extremely small sample size) I do like the Rascal better; while I haven't weighed them the Rascal does seem a little bit lighter. If I only had the PJ I'd be fine, though, just have to do more arm work (and I DO like the feel of that unpolished/non-glossy neck, I now understand what people are talking about there).

If I couldn't get a Rascal I'd probably be scoping out a Sonic Bronco; sure can't beat the price and, again, short scale. I understand that product availability here in Chicago is probably going to be quite different than for you in Norway so there's that to consider.

This is just my very uneducated $0.02 worth and there's a LOT of experienced musicians here (like everybody else BUT me, LOL) that can give you opinions based on actually being able to play a guitar. I'm having fun learning - I'm transitioning from making noise to making noise that I can almost recognize as music with a goal of making noise that others might recognize as music . . . and I've been having fun doing it on the Rascal (through a Rumble 100).

Good luck!

 

[kensol]

Thank you for your input Karl, I appreciate it. Very useful. I'll be looking into the sonic series. How important would you say getting a larger amp like the 100 is?

 

[Yahboy]

30 scale rascal vs 34 scale 40th AV P . two different bass with different tonal and playing feel.

The Rascal i play has more weight than my P, plus neck dive issue to me.

Lot ppl love the Rascal look and sexy green color. Me too..... but once i did setup and play , not suit for me.

If you love those big chrome cover pickups use on rascal, you should try the Vintera II 70s P. That vibe much alive than rascal neck pup.

I prefer the Bronco more than Rascal, especially the Sonic bronco with update tuning machines and bridge. Take out the strat pickups and loaded a Dimarzio Dual Rail, she become fun to play.

 

[jd56hawk]

I'm not sure I'm willing to wait too long to buy a new bass and I have been looking at the 40th anniversary P-bass. I can get one online for about the same price as the Rascal. Will not be able to try before I buy though.

Does anyone have experience with the two, is one much different than the other as a beginner's instrument? Quality-wise? Value for money?

I liked the 40th Anniversary Vintage Precision so much, I bought the Jazz bass the very next day...no-brainer at the $100 off sale price.
So much fun to play, incredible necks and killer tone, that I've been neglecting my other basses.

 

[PiquetBass]

Thank you for your input Karl, I appreciate it. Very useful. I'll be looking into the sonic series. How important would you say getting a larger amp like the 100 is?

Take a look at the Rumble Club pages - the 100 combos are great (I have a 500 combo, it's excellent).

 

[Eminor3rd]

The difference in the experience of playing those two basses is likely to be substantial. A 34" scale p-bass and its chunkier neck is gonna feel gigantic compared to a 30" scale bass with a slim-C. Either is a fine choice, but they aren't really apples to apples if the only comparison point is aesthetic, just something to keep in mind.

 

[Wesley R]

Take a look at the Rumble Club pages - the 100 combos are great (I have a 500 combo, it's excellent).

A couple of years ago I was amp less (odd for me), and I needed one for a family reunion. My wife fell in love with the 100 and bought it for me. It has done well and fits in the closet of our travel trailer. I like it and at my age the light weight is welcome thing.

 

[Robot.G]

Hi guys!

I am having a hard time getting my hands on a Paranormal Rascal. My local store might get some late November, but it could take until the end of January next year they say.

The Rascal is currently available direct from Fender. Considering the great reviews and the price it is worth a chance ordering direct.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Thank you for your input Karl, I appreciate it. Very useful. I'll be looking into the sonic series. How important would you say getting a larger amp like the 100 is?

Well, again, limited sample size here but IMO I'd have to say the larger amp is not at all important - at least not at this time while I'm still this raw. I bought it with an eye (ear?) towards when I'm at least tolerable enough to head over to friends that actually play (Karl, we can *always* use a bassist, hint hint hint). I mostly am using the headphone out feature when practicing at home right now. It sounds GREAT to me when I can crank it up, for real, but I honestly don't get much chance to do that outside of my weekly group lessons. A smaller Rumble or a competing offering in this range would have been fine, I think, at least at this stage in my learning curve but I think the headphone out and the aux-in are two features are still must-have's (which is pretty much the case anyway, just want to underscore it). If it weren't for the need to be able to output at group a headphone-only solution would probably work just fine right now to be honest. No regrets here, it's all a learning experience.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

The Rascal is currently available direct from Fender. Considering the great reviews and the price it is worth a chance ordering direct.

I bought mine direct from Fender as both locally and online the retail options only had the black version. I was torn between the Sherwood Green and the Shell Pink. As the OP is in Norway I'm not sure what direct-from-Fender options might be available. Here's mine with the rental PJ, which has been cool to have as a comparative reference (Rumble 100 as backdrop).

 

[Robot.G]

I bought mine direct from Fender as both locally and online the retail options only had the black version. I was torn between the Sherwood Green and the Shell Pink. As the OP is in Norway I'm not sure what direct-from-Fender options might be available. Here's mine with the rental PJ, which has been cool to have as a comparative reference (Rumble 100 as backdrop).

I failed to notice that the OP is in Norway. I did a quick search and found these though.

https://www.thomannmusic.no/search_dir.html?sw=Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass&smcs=828cc2_1105

Invalid Link Removed..

 

[Sharko]

Rascal is really cool for the money, but keep in mind it's an ergonomic nightmare. Only played one for a limited time in the store, but the neck dive and the way the giant body negates the benefits of the short neck were deal breakers for me. Your mileage may vary, but for a beginner I don't think it offers a lot of benefits. If you like the size of the rascal, I'd look at a Squier P or J, a Sire P or J, or a used Peavey foundation. If you like the short scale I'd look at a Squier mustang/bronco, SBMM short scale stingray, or Gretsch 2220 (or used short scale Squier jag which is an ergonomic masterpiece)

 

[Snert]

I agree with the rest of your post, but,

or used short scale Squier jag which is an ergonomic masterpiece

...this I disagree with. Mine was a major diver and a cheap Cort Action SS sounded and played much better. As the OP is in the EU, look at what Thomann has in terms of SS HBs and Ibanez as well.

 

[Sharko]

I agree with the rest of your post, but,

...this I disagree with. Mine was a major diver and a cheap Cort Action SS sounded and played much better. As the OP is in the EU, look at what Thomann has in terms of SS HBs and Ibanez as well.

I've heard some other people say theirs has neck dive too, which surprises me because I have 2 that don't neck dive. I suspect it may be on an individual basis depending on how heavy the body is on that specimen. In that case def don't buy without trying first.

agree with looking at Thomann and Ibanez short scales, there's a lot of good options at low prices

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I've heard some other people say theirs has neck dive too, which surprises me because I have 2 that don't neck dive. I suspect it may be on an individual basis depending on how heavy the body is on that specimen. In that case def don't buy without trying first.

agree with looking at Thomann and Ibanez short scales, there's a lot of good options at low prices

I don't have a whole lot to compare it to - it seems maybe *slightly* more neck heavy than the PJ (and that's only because I spent time trying to evaluate it after reading everyone saying how terrible neck dive was which I didn't even know was a thing) but it's mostly a "meh" thing to me. One thing I really DO like, a lot, is the SOUND. I played it (well, I hit strings, made noises . . .) with the stock strings along with the rental PJ and I just really liked the way the Rascal sounded better. I've since restrung it with flats and now I like it even more. Just a data point. I'm only answering within the context of the OP's request for another beginner's view on it, I'm sure those with tons of experience are going to see it quite differently.

 

[CallMeAl]

I wouldn't worry too much about quality/bang for the buck. Squier 40th and Paranormal are some of the best they are putting out. I like the CVs and heck, I think the Affinities are pretty darn good too.

My best advice is to keep playing as many local basses as you can. Even if you don't find a keeper, try and narrow down what specs you like; neck profile and finish, scale length, body shape, etc.

as for the amp, the Rumble 100 is great but only really necessary if you see yourself jamming. If it's just for home, the 40 would be plenty, or even the 25.

have fun!

 

[Sharko]

I don't have a whole lot to compare it to - it seems maybe *slightly* more neck heavy than the PJ (and that's only because I spent time trying to evaluate it after reading everyone saying how terrible neck dive was which I didn't even know was a thing) but it's mostly a "meh" thing to me. One thing I really DO like, a lot, is the SOUND. I played it (well, I hit strings, made noises . . .) with the stock strings along with the rental PJ and I just really liked the way the Rascal sounded better. I've since restrung it with flats and now I like it even more. Just a data point. I'm only answering within the context of the OP's request for another beginner's view on it, I'm sure those with tons of experience are going to see it quite differently.

I don't think many people will disagree with you about the sound. Although I hated the shape of it the pickups are straight fire.

 

[burpgun]

I agree with the rest of your post, but,

...this I disagree with. Mine was a major diver and a cheap Cort Action SS sounded and played much better. As the OP is in the EU, look at what Thomann has in terms of SS HBs and Ibanez as well.

I've owned two Squier Jaguar short scales and had two very different experiences. There was a huge variation in the weight between the two--didn't weigh them but you could very much feel it--and the one with the light body had the neck dive. I sold that, kept the heavy one which balanced well and it's perfect. It kind of makes me a little crazy, but I enjoy playing it more than my vastly more expensive long-scale US-made Fenders.