Squier Paranormal Rascal - MOD/UPGRADE

[artvvandelay]

Hey, hey, this is beautiful.

Just wanted to ask, do you know the dimensions of the original pups? I don't own one of these basses, but I'm considering one and loading it up with the DiMarzio Model One.

Apologies on the delayed response, I just measured one of the stock pickups and it came out to around 78mm by 51mm with a depth of 22mm. Hope this helps!

 

[Gb007]

Looks great! All these mods are awesome

Really interested in the blend knob wiring and choice of potentiometer.


Here's a list of mod/upgrades that were done on the bass:

1. Replacing the Squier Wide Range Humbuckers with two Guild BiSonic.
2. Replacing the stock tuners with Hipshot HB7 (not a direct fit, BTW).
   
3. Replacing volume and tone pots with CTS, and changed the pickup selector to a blend pot.
   
4. Brand new jazz style knobs.
5. Shielded the entire cavity with copper tape. The bass previously had none except for some aluminum tape by the pots.
   
6. New stainless steel bridge intonation screws (the old screw heads stripped easily).

The bass now sounds exactly how I had imagined. It has a much wider range of tones with clear and precise high that was previously missing from the old pickups. I love it... and I call it my poor man's version of Serek.

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[bassgod76]

I didn’t go as far as you, but I did:
-Replace the pick guard
-Switched all the pots out to 500k
-Ditched the switch, in favor of a blend
-Added Gretsch-style knobs
-I’m adding LaBella flats, this weekend.

I may add Hipshot lollipop tuners, but I’m not sure how much modding that will involve, or if it will leave visible screw holes…

 

[nixdad]

 

[hollowman]

Hi... I'm thinking of putting guild bisonic in my paranormal rascal too.
Did the pickups mount without modifying the pick guard?
Thanks I

 

[hollowman]

Mine is about 9.5 lbs. The stock pickups probably weight 1 lb each (pure estimate, probably not true, but they are definitely hefty). On a strap though, it doesn’t feel particularly heavy. I’ll be shaving a few ounces off mine with some lightweight tuners eventually.

12.5 oz each is the weight of the original Rascal pickup...
Anybody know the weight of the Guild Bisonic?

This started out as a brand new bass that I purchased from L&M just over a month ago. While I really like how it plays, I am just not a fan of the Wide Range Humbuckers that came with it. They are a bit too mid forward and muddy on the high end for my taste. Since I have always wanted to try BiSonic/Darkstar pickups, I decided to give them a go and ordered a set from Guild directly.

While I was at it, my OCD kicked it. I ended up purchasing a bunch of other upgrading parts. Don't know if they were necessary but I did it anyway......

Here's a list of mod/upgrades that were done on the bass:

1. Replacing the Squier Wide Range Humbuckers with two Guild BiSonic.
2. Replacing the stock tuners with Hipshot HB7 (not a direct fit, BTW).
3. Replacing volume and tone pots with CTS, and changed the pickup selector to a blend pot.
4. Brand new jazz style knobs.
5. Shielded the entire cavity with copper tape. The bass previously had none except for some aluminum tape by the pots.
6. New stainless steel bridge intonation screws (the old screw heads stripped easily).

The bass now sounds exactly how I had imagined. It has a much wider range of tones with clear and precise high that was previously missing from the old pickups. I love it... and I call it my poor man's version of Serek.

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Did the bisonic pickup mounting holes match the original Rascal pickup holes, or did you drill new ones?
Did you use bolt and nut to secure pickup to the pick guard?
Thanks
Eddie

 

[Bassology]

12.5 oz each is the weight of the original Rascal pickup...
Anybody know the weight of the Guild Bisonic?

Did the bisonic pickup mounting holes match the original Rascal pickup holes, or did you drill new ones?
Did you use bolt and nut to secure pickup to the pick guard?
Thanks
Eddie

The luthier had to enlarge the pickup cavities to install the Guild BiSonic pickups into the bass.

Out of the eight screws, I believe only one didn’t drill into the body. However, we left it as it was, as the pickup was secure and didn’t move on its own.

 

[Ernlong]

Looks awesome! Agree about intonation screws….where did you get those/size? Looking to replace mine as well. Thanks!!

 

[rivethead]

Exceptionally clean work. I'm a big fan of modded basses, and appreciate when something looks like it could have been stock factory, but isn't. My own efforts generally fall quite short of yours.

By any chance do you still have the rascal pickups and would you be willing to part with them?

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Played one of these for the first time last night. Wow, kind of see the appeal now, great sounding/playing bass.

 

[Draconauta]

This started out as a brand new bass that I purchased from L&M just over a month ago. While I really like how it plays, I am just not a fan of the Wide Range Humbuckers that came with it. They are a bit too mid forward and muddy on the high end for my taste. Since I have always wanted to try BiSonic/Darkstar pickups, I decided to give them a go and ordered a set from Guild directly.

While I was at it, my OCD kicked it. I ended up purchasing a bunch of other upgrading parts. Don't know if they were necessary but I did it anyway......

Here's a list of mod/upgrades that were done on the bass:

1. Replacing the Squier Wide Range Humbuckers with two Guild BiSonic.
2. Replacing the stock tuners with Hipshot HB7 (not a direct fit, BTW).
3. Replacing volume and tone pots with CTS, and changed the pickup selector to a blend pot.
4. Brand new jazz style knobs.
5. Shielded the entire cavity with copper tape. The bass previously had none except for some aluminum tape by the pots.
6. New stainless steel bridge intonation screws (the old screw heads stripped easily).

The bass now sounds exactly how I had imagined. It has a much wider range of tones with clear and precise high that was previously missing from the old pickups. I love it... and I call it my poor man's version of Serek.

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I would really like to listen to something from this amazing bass!