I bought one out of curiosity. I've been playing for over 50 years and have had a lot of basses. I have to say this is one of my favorite 3 basses ever and the first Squier I didn't want to toss out the window, I absolutely love playing this. Others have complained about neck dive, too heavy, etc. none of those things are an issue for me. I have several other short scale and 34" basses. This Rascal is a keeper. Thanks LJ
Something to consider for future videos: a slight adjustment to the position of the camera and presenter would have eliminated reflection of outdoor light by the body of the instrument.
Though I'm not hearing a lot of tonal difference between the pickups, I do like the clear punchiness. I actually have this on my short list of gear. It's a beauty for sure. I'm a big fan of the Offset Body shape. I own Jazzmasters and a Paranormal Offset Telecaster. Squier has been doing an amazing job. Good review, thanks!
I bought one , waited 6 months for it,came in January. Squier 70s pbass is my go to for gigs, and I've owned a lot over the years, been playing 40 years, owned and sold on over 70-80 basses. This one was rubbish...it wasn't utter crap,it was frustrating as I couldn't get a decent tone out of it, tried 6 different types of string and endless set ups. Just sold it on and bought an eppiphone newport which is utterly awesome.
I’m truly sorry to hear this! I really love mine. Epiphone Newport? I’ve heard nothing good about it. I will have to check it out. Thanks for watching!
Hi, I have a similar bass, but black (about the only option I had when I bought it in November). As a beginner bass player, I chose this because as a guitarist, the short scale seemed easier to learn. I also love the instrument, I like the weight (hello Les Paul) and the shape, I think it's easy to play. Thanks a lot for the string recommendation, I will try it out.
Love the tone and the vibe but I gotta admit I didn't really like playing the one I tried for one specific reason: Despite being short scale, the body is still a regular size which resulted in a surprisingly heavy weight, which impacted the overall balance. The neckdive was pretty pronounced as well. That said though, man I'd love to get ahold of the pickups and neck to put into maybe a Warmoth body or something similar. Great review and playing! Hope to see more :)
It is definitely heavy. I haven't experienced the neck dive, but yes, I would only play sitting down. There's something about the weight against the body I do love particularly when playing the blues. BUT I'm not in love with the body shape. I just find P bass shapes easier than jazz or assymetrical. Thanks for watching and for the comment! Appreciate you.
You know, I didn’t. Good point. I always forget it is because of the neck layout. I play a Fender Mustang and this thing feels different. But yes! You are right. It def is a short scale.
I love how Fender's using Squier not just as "OK, it's our in-house knock-off" brand, but the "Let's go crazy with stuff the purists would never let us get away with if it had 'Fender' on the headstock" brand as well. This sounds fantastic - dark, but not dirty, and still full and rich and thick. I think those pickups are gonna become cult items in a few years time, like how goldfoils are now...
Agreed. It is completely case by case as I played the 60s style Squier out right now and it was really disappointing and clunky. Not well made at all. But this one. Chef’s kiss. I think the other thing is the chesty purr - like if you were holding a jaguar. It’s crazy. Thanks for the comment!
Sounds great - but unless you spun the switch around 180, it looks like you listed the pickups backwards? Switch toward neck = neck pickup. (Or maybe it’s an illusion caused by the camera?)
Thanks! And thanks for noticing that. I may have misspoke or else sometimes it does turn around. I’d like to say that it’s just a flimsy Squier thing but I have a Fender Mustang that moves around like that too. Time to get it fixed! Thanks for watching.
Agreed on that black guard! However you can always swap pickguards pretty easy. I even did a video about it. That said, they have a new candy apple red. I bought that one and did I video on it too cuz it’s gorgeous!
Good question! Compared to the Fender Mustang, the Paranormal doesn’t feel like a short scale. The Mustang feels smaller and lighter - almost more like a junior sized guitar (I say this with all respect because I also love my Mustang). The size of the body and the placement of the neck makes it feel like a full sized bass even tho it’s technically a short scale. Fret size is different too; these are narrow tall. I also like the neck on the Squier because something about the gloss - it feels slicker to me. Hope that helps!
The Mustang is much lighter of course. The Paranormal is heavy as many people have pointed out. If you are going to stand and play it, I recommend a good strap!
![Have Squier PEAKED? | Paranormal Series Rascal HH Bass [Review/Demo]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/myYICrLG1Ik/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought one out of curiosity. I've been playing for over 50 years and have had a lot of basses. I have to say this is one of my favorite 3 basses ever and the first Squier I didn't want to toss out the window, I absolutely love playing this. Others have complained about neck dive, too heavy, etc. none of those things are an issue for me. I have several other short scale and 34" basses. This Rascal is a keeper. Thanks LJ
Thanks Mr. Sparks! Glad you’re enjoying it. I love it myself. Especially for the blues.
@@LJ_Bass Indeed, I love it on blues.
Gosh, this thing is beautiful. I am instantly in love with the look of this bass. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for watching!
Great review thank you.
I have one of these, I love it very, very, very much.
I hope you enjoy this lovely instrument.
Best wishes from UK 🇬🇧
Thanks so much! Appreciate you.
This is the most beautiful bass I’ve ever seen 😍
It’s a beaut!
@@LJ_Bass Just ordered myself one 🥰
Sweet! Hope you love it!
Something to consider for future videos: a slight adjustment to the position of the camera and presenter would have eliminated reflection of outdoor light by the body of the instrument.
Thank you! Good point.
Far out... Very cool Squier... great find..
Thank you!
Though I'm not hearing a lot of tonal difference between the pickups, I do like the clear punchiness. I actually have this on my short list of gear. It's a beauty for sure. I'm a big fan of the Offset Body shape. I own Jazzmasters and a Paranormal Offset Telecaster. Squier has been doing an amazing job. Good review, thanks!
Thanks Frank! I also struggle to hear the difference between the pickups but the sheer punchy growl when you play and hold it to your body is amazing.
I bought one , waited 6 months for it,came in January. Squier 70s pbass is my go to for gigs, and I've owned a lot over the years, been playing 40 years, owned and sold on over 70-80 basses. This one was rubbish...it wasn't utter crap,it was frustrating as I couldn't get a decent tone out of it, tried 6 different types of string and endless set ups. Just sold it on and bought an eppiphone newport which is utterly awesome.
Maybe I just got a dud...as I went on a few reliable reviews b4 buying...sad.
I’m truly sorry to hear this! I really love mine. Epiphone Newport? I’ve heard nothing good about it. I will have to check it out. Thanks for watching!
Oh man, what a gorgeous bass! I need to stop watching gear videos until i have money haha. I see your Arizona shirt, i live in Tempe!
I understand! If I wouldn’t have seen this one on sale, I would’ve skipped it. Yes! Just went to Meteor Crater. It was amazing! Thanks for watching!
Hi, I have a similar bass, but black (about the only option I had when I bought it in November).
As a beginner bass player, I chose this because as a guitarist, the short scale seemed easier to learn. I also love the instrument, I like the weight (hello Les Paul) and the shape, I think it's easy to play. Thanks a lot for the string recommendation, I will try it out.
Thank you Peter!
Love the tone and the vibe but I gotta admit I didn't really like playing the one I tried for one specific reason:
Despite being short scale, the body is still a regular size which resulted in a surprisingly heavy weight, which impacted the overall balance. The neckdive was pretty pronounced as well.
That said though, man I'd love to get ahold of the pickups and neck to put into maybe a Warmoth body or something similar.
Great review and playing! Hope to see more :)
It is definitely heavy. I haven't experienced the neck dive, but yes, I would only play sitting down. There's something about the weight against the body I do love particularly when playing the blues. BUT I'm not in love with the body shape. I just find P bass shapes easier than jazz or assymetrical. Thanks for watching and for the comment! Appreciate you.
I love mine, going to change strings to nickel . . .
Love this bass! Did you mention it is a 30' short scale bass?
You know, I didn’t. Good point. I always forget it is because of the neck layout. I play a Fender Mustang and this thing feels different. But yes! You are right. It def is a short scale.
@@LJ_Bass Thanks! Subscribed :)
I love how Fender's using Squier not just as "OK, it's our in-house knock-off" brand, but the "Let's go crazy with stuff the purists would never let us get away with if it had 'Fender' on the headstock" brand as well. This sounds fantastic - dark, but not dirty, and still full and rich and thick. I think those pickups are gonna become cult items in a few years time, like how goldfoils are now...
Agreed. It is completely case by case as I played the 60s style Squier out right now and it was really disappointing and clunky. Not well made at all. But this one. Chef’s kiss. I think the other thing is the chesty purr - like if you were holding a jaguar. It’s crazy. Thanks for the comment!
Sounds great - but unless you spun the switch around 180, it looks like you listed the pickups backwards? Switch toward neck = neck pickup. (Or maybe it’s an illusion caused by the camera?)
Thanks! And thanks for noticing that. I may have misspoke or else sometimes it does turn around. I’d like to say that it’s just a flimsy Squier thing but I have a Fender Mustang that moves around like that too. Time to get it fixed! Thanks for watching.
Help me decide: black or green? The pick guard on the black one is heavenly ❤
Agreed on that black guard! However you can always swap pickguards pretty easy. I even did a video about it.
That said, they have a new candy apple red. I bought that one and did I video on it too cuz it’s gorgeous!
Pretty much sounds like my short scale Gretsch with brights on it :)
Is the Gretsch growly cuz this thing is super growly
That might have gotten lost through the layers of speaker and recording
how does it compare to a mustang bass in terms of feel?
Good question! Compared to the Fender Mustang, the Paranormal doesn’t feel like a short scale. The Mustang feels smaller and lighter - almost more like a junior sized guitar (I say this with all respect because I also love my Mustang). The size of the body and the placement of the neck makes it feel like a full sized bass even tho it’s technically a short scale. Fret size is different too; these are narrow tall. I also like the neck on the Squier because something about the gloss - it feels slicker to me. Hope that helps!
The Mustang is much lighter of course. The Paranormal is heavy as many people have pointed out. If you are going to stand and play it, I recommend a good strap!
Poplar...Laurel...Bad neck dive...I'm out.
Heard in the poplar and laurel, but I’ve never once felt neck dive. Thanks for watching!