Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass - Ridiculous Retro Vintage Tone Machine! - LowEndLobster Review 

Picked this up cause of you lobster and I couldn’t be happier! If you’re reading this thinking about getting one too, DO IT! Budget players out there, this isn’t the cheapest bass on the market but if you can swing just a little more cash your money will go a lot further. No mods necessary this thing rules straight out of the box 🔥

Squier is killing it lately. I have a Squier Classic Vibe '60s P Bass. It's my favorite bass I own despite it being the cheapest. I have basses that cost three times as much that aren't as good. I can't detect anything wrong with it besides very minor things like the edges of the nut being a bit sharp or the tone knob not being super sensitive. I don't feel compelled to "upgrade" anything.

I had been giving the Rascal a casual look, as an alternative to my Squier P-Bass. Seeing the pure joy on your face from playing, ESPECIALLY slapping, has sealed the deal for me!

That neck pickup has some nice low end growl in the lower register, which is pretty surprising given its price and design, I was expecting more of that mud-bucker type of sound you mentioned. I'm a big guy and I have stayed away from short scale basses because they look like a toy against me, so that bigger size is actually a plus for me. Very nice and very tempting Squier bass!

I love the neck dive section of the review, very helpful

I have one of these on the way -- it was love at first sight! That being said, LEL helped out with two important issues for me -- I almost ordered a short-scale gig bag before watching this review -- Thanks LEL for the word about the size of this Bass! And, I already sent email to LaBella to find out what type of Flats to use with this, since it is a string-thru only (LaBella loves to warn about not using their standard sets with string-thru) -- LEL indicated the specific set to order for this Bass -- Thanks LEL again! Lastly, thanks to the poster who indicated that the pickups have 4-conductor wiring (he said he has mini-switches installed for coil-tapping) -- the Bass I'll be getting was purchased at a discount due to a switch issue that I can take care of, so I'll probably have the pickguard off first thing anyways. The big decision now is either 1) push-pull pot to enable single-coil mode, or 2) replace the volume and tone controls with a set of stack knobs I have here to give the bass 2v2t.

Ok you convinced me. I just bought one on a bargain for $300 (edge of body is scratched - let’s call it free relic work). All I needed to hear was that those pickups are as good as I hoped.

Picked one up after your unboxing video and getting a chance to play on at guitar center and it has become my favorite 4 string. The tones I can get out of it are perfect for me, and the short scale gives me some crazy reaches with my big hands lol. I love this bass

That thing is the single best sounding short scale bass I've ever heard. The bridge pickup is so surprising with how good it sounds. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those if I got to play one in a music store and liked how it plays.

Lobster, for as long as you have this channel running, please don’t ever stop using that Microsoft CEO clip whenever a bass gets 5 claws. Cracks me up every single time.

First time you selected the bridge pickup I noticed how well balanced the two pickups are. All the two pup basses I own, the bridge pup gets used for color and that's about it because they sound so thin on their own. Well done, Squier!

Just another day longing for Lobster Beard 😢

Nice! I'm really interested in this bass. I think a cool mod would be individual volume and tone knobs for each pickup, like a stacked knob jazz bass. Try it Lobster!!!

Flats will sound amazing on this one! I'll definitely check out that video when it comes out. I've been pretty impressed with Squiers lately. I bought a 40th anniversary P almost a year ago, and it sounds and feels great! I did have an issue with the neck at one point shifting a touch, but I can chalk that up to the wood itself and how dry it gets here in the winter. I've had no problems after keeping it hydrated better.

Love Lobster’s always thorough reviews! This bass has great tone in every configuration! Personally I’d like to see it produced in Candy Cola Red or some deep gold colors

Who is this imposter 😳 Lobsters younger brother covering for him? This new guy is doing good things with the channel 👍🏻👍🏻

I'm 100% getting one of these!! I'll wait until a few show up used or there's a holiday sale. Christmas IS coming, after all! LOL

The only review channel I watch, been here for a while, been great watching your channel grow

That bass sounds pretty damn good, probably the best sounding short scale bass that you have reviewed in your channel. Now I am wondering if getting lightweight tuners will help with that noticeable neckdive, you might have to go for short-y or mini-clover tuners, I don't think that standard y/clover will cut it.

So I got a Newport, and I guess I really lucked out. I didn’t get any of the phase issues. Out of the box it was playable, it just needed a bit of fret work and nut work. My tech was super shocked by how little it needed and was very impressed with the pickups. I think it’s safe to say that they’ve adjusted some of the quality issues, at least with the ones that have the “USA” inspection stickers like mine did. I’m looking at a Pink Rascal too… let’s just say I’m a sucker for an interesting short scale!

I bought one last week using your Reverb affiliate link after seeing your review and it is fantastic. Slightly heavier than my JMJ Mustang, but on the lap it's fine. A little neck dive, but I'm playing so far up the body it doesn't matter. Supreme sound and power, feels like at least an $800+ instrument if not more. Tons of value!

Love the content, it's enjoyable just watching you enjoy a new bass. Lovin' the Lobster! Plus, Squier is so hot right now! I was always a fan of the Classic Vibe series, now with all these Paranormal series instruments, I'm delighted check them out! Thank you, keep up the good work!

Thanks yet again Lobster for another fantastic review of a gem of a bass, I've ordered one over here in UK and hopefully get one in the 3 to 5 month expected delivery time !! THANKS richbass

Hey Lobster...Terrific review. I have a Ibanez TMB30 that I picked up several years ago. I needed a bass for home recording projects. I'm way overdue for an upgrade and I'm really impressed with the quality of Squier Gear. This Rascal Bass is killer nice, it's on my short-list now. Questions on the strings; Fender ships these with 045-105. Are these LaBella Short Scale Strings the same gauge? I can't seem to find a Mustang through body specific set on the LaBella Website. I use Labella on my Ibanez, love them! Thanks again on the in-depth review.

Great review, my friend! I am glad you enjoyed that bass. Do you have an overview or a playlist with all your 5 claw reviews?

Been waiting for your input on this man!

This Squier bass really delivers. The tone is great, the look is cool, and I dig the Coronado Bass headstock. Ultra light tuners, EB strap locks, and a set of Fender flats would make it complete (I just put a set of Fender 50 Flatwounds on my Reverend and they kill).

I love short scale basses but they always look small on me, I'm 6'2"... This big body might take care of that

The pickup locations are more akin to a Ric than any Fender/Squier which is what gives it's unique tone. It's why I had to build a 30" SS bass with that pickup location over 25 years ago... nothing else was available at the time.

I just ordered a Rascal in Shell Pink thanks to this review...I can't wait to get it in the mail!

so happy with mine. i got one of the first reverb listings for the green one and its incredible. i can't recommend this bass enough. i went ahead and did some mods tho: changed to VOL/VOL (i dont use tone knobs) and added 2 mini 3 way switches for coil splitting north coil/hb/south coil

I felt in love after your unboxing video and ordered one. I‘m so happy with it and it will be my main bass on stage 🥰 The tone, the handling and playability is so great

Just ordered one! Can't wait to check it out!!!

I might have to patiently wait for one of these boys to show up used. I really like the tone.

Thanks for the info! You covered a lot of things I hadn't considered, such as bridge placement & overall length.

I love that you cannot stop grinning while playing.

Loved your review. I think the Rascal will be my first base. As for the balance problem, just get a strap which you can tie to the headstock.

I am amazed that it sounds just as good with a pick as with fingers. Usually, I can't stand it with a pick. Very interesting and beautiful bass guitar! Thank you for covering all the basses (no pun intended) with it!

Thank you for your review and honestly as always. Bass sounds great. Also, helpful playing tip for others: offset instruments like this play better in between the legs vs on one. Cheers.

Great little bass. I hope they add more colors. I have 2 green and 1 black bass already! Lol.

I had just bought a 2013 Modern Player Telecaster bass with two of those wide range humbuckers. Then I saw this and had to get it. I love it. The interesting thing is that the pickup placement is quite deceptive. The bridge pickup is actually in approximately the Musicman position due to the Mustang bridge. And the neck pickup is close to the Rickenbacker position. So this Bass really has a great sound. It’s the best Squier ever owned.

Got my Squier Rascal yesterday and I am equally impressed with tone and playability. Only thing to complain is the weight of mine (4.25 kg) which is a bit much for a short scale in my opinion. Maybe I’m spoiled by my Mustangs and Musicmasters which are all under or around 3.5 kg, even my Jazz Bass only weights 4 kg and is exactly the same overall size. At least it’s lighter than the Fender Rascal, but I’ll definitely try to get a another one. Oh … and thanks for the great review, Lobster!

You know, I don't need another bass but this is pretty tempting

Thanks for showing the relative length - I was interested in this base for sounds and vibes, I like the Newport but as you say it's flawed, but I tend to like Short Scales for portability. It's a very neat bass, but it does make the whole thing feel a bit niche - a lot of people like shortscales for the overall lower size if they're smaller people, for me I'm a pretty big person but my fingers don't always have the best reach and can strain easily - I'm also kind of clumsy so tend to bump my full scale jazz bass a lot, whereas my cheap mini P-Bass is really convenient for just bumming around the house with. There's still definitely room for short scale humbucking retro vibe basses in flashy colours in the budget range. Glad to hear the neck isn't a mudbucker though, while they can sound good I always thought it was a bit of a waste in terms of it basically only ever being able to do one sound, having a warm voiced pickup with a good dedicated tone control is a better idea.

Really enjoy your channel. Keep expecting you to play the theme for Barney Miller every time though. 🤘

Mmmmmm that neck pickup solo sounds awesome. I would love this bass with just one of these pickups in the pbass spot. That would be a sweet pbass variation

How always interesting! Thank you Lobster!!!

Squier is so right for today’s music business. Thanks for the vid!

My thing with budget basses are; while they are cheap and affordable and feel good for like the first six months. Fretboard woods like laurel are not intended to last long. Budget basses are cool but know you’ll be on the market for another bass as soon as you buy one. I’d get one for writing purposes just to preserve my expensive cool basses

I was going to buy a semi hollow like the Schecter Corsair or the Jack. But, ended up going with this instead. Just seems much more versatile and is able to achieve that vintage semi hollow tone too.

I do like that bass , I wish squier would remake the 70s Telecaster bass with that same pickup .

I'm Not gonna lie. I've been waiting for the full review of this bass since I saw Lobster's unboxing. Great Job Lobster! (I Really want this bass)

Love this Bass! My finger has been very itchy to not pull the trigger on one!

Played one Guitar Center. I was gonna make my 2nd bass purchase a traditional P-bass, but I want one these now. Perfect combo of honk and growl! Now if I could convince my wife......

Nice. The bridge SEEMS designed to accommodate a muting setup with those extra holes and all that extra plating space.

you have all the top tips even when I'm not actively looking for them. I was wondering what flats I could use with my new Sire U5 (both your videos about it really helped me decide on it) and now I know! Thanks! Also, great video yet again 🙂

Very nice demo my friend! I have a 1978 Fender Mustang I love I am seriously considering this one!

Killer review...nice work Mr lobster 👍

What a wide range of tones. I'll be looking for this one on black Friday.

Yes, this is the one I've been waiting for! 😍

I want one of these in a 34" scale! Wonderful sounding but I'm not a short scale guy.

Great review and hugely helpful as always. I had a Squier Jazz bass years ago and it had a dead fret which put me right off the brand. I would seriously consider the Paranormal bass on the back of this review alone. Thanks a lot.

Those humbuckers sound so damn nice! I'm tempted to sell my CV Mustang and get one of these. It sounds so versatile, especially for being a short-scale!

Best bridge pickup tone I've heard in awhile.

This is my first time not seeing lobster beard. I'm now selling all my basses as i no longer have a will to live. Long Love Lobster Beard!!!!!

Just bought one: First thing is, the color is amazing. I can't imagine buying the black one. There's nothing so compelling about this bass musically that would compel me to get the black over the green. I know that green is mostly sold out and the black is sitting in stores. There's a reason. The color is that good. The next surprise is how big it is. This will need a full sized bass gig bag. The positive is you either already own one or you will find it very easy to get one. No need to look for anything weird size between guitar and bass. Strings: Do not buy LaBella short scale strings. They don't fit. Just buy their full sized strings and they will fit perfectly. The bass sounds really nice. You can switch from a PBass to this in a band and have no trouble getting good sounds. You can also get some cool funky sounds from that bridge which you hear demonstrated.

And there was me all set up to get in debt for a Sandberg Florence. I've been wanting to get a short scale in my arsenal for a while and I was greatly attracted (still am) to the Fallout with that wonderful MFD pickup. But, this Rascal is a different beast. I need to try one out but certainly, the fact that you've given this a five-claw rating, has caught my interest. I think there's some very useable sounds here. I can see this becoming something of a classic, down the line. I agree that it's probably the best short scale out there. I love those pickups. I like to get a hold of a pair and experiment with a project I have going on. Thanks for the review as always. Your insights are highly valued. Until you groove again...

@14:03 bro, some planets aligned! @22:54, that there is a slik tone with a load of rich pop... it sells

Just picked one up in Shell Pink!

Sounds like a vintage Stingray on the bridge pickup! Great looking and sounding bass

I love how you mention something that took me YEARS to notice. The fact that the center of mass has to be the closest to center of the guitar (full lenght) AND the strap button has to be around the height of the 12 fret... Otherwise divers!!! I have seen once someone who addapted like a real long rod to pin the strat of his Tele... I personally try to strap LPs to the headstock😅 and so on

Lobster without a beard is jarring, but I honestly like the new look. And that is one sick bass.

I like it a lot, the neck will take getting used to with it getting wider closer to the body. I like it!

Great review. Tone is clean and crisp and it has a great look! You can tell that you were having fun with this bass! Hey, why not review some Bass VI while you’re at it ? 😎👍

Pure Mountain Spring Water LOL / Nice review and demo as usual / Nice full and clear tones along with the other tones / I like what they did with the inlays

great review it sounds awesome these are sold out every where in the uk

Thanks! Great reviews! 🙂🙂🙂😎

This is not a bass I would buy, but it sure sounds great. It is great to see Squier step up their game. That short scale pickup location seemed to give you trouble.

Great review for a fun bass. I have 3 Squier Paranormal guitars and an Afinity Jaguar bass HB. All are from China and all are excellent playing guitars. I definitely plan on adding a Rascal to the arsenal.

Matching headstock as well. Brilliant.

I'm really satisfied with how it sounds. Great rewiew

Wow, 5 claws! The pink is probably my favorite color option. You should bring in the bass vi for a review.

Lobster's solution for any neck dive or weight issues? Lightweight tuners. Missing the beard.

Sweet little rock n roller bass, having tried the bass VI, I've thought for a while Fender missed a trick not making a 4 string version and here it is, and it's better than I expected. The neck is great on the VI but too many strings not enough space! Looks and sounds like maybe only a bone nut(unless one is fitted) is the only mod necessary? BTW what strings does it require as it looks like the string goes way behind the bridge so I'm guessing like some short scale basses it requires medium scale strings? Hope you're having a good vacation

Thanks for sharing Lobster 🦞 much appreciated 🎵🎶🎸🇬🇧

I wonder if they will ever make one of these paranormal instruments that will suddenly become an evergreen model in the Fender line?

I appreciate the comprehensive reviews you do, but it would be cool if you could just hit it with a fuzz pedal for bit to show how it handles gain. Thanks.

That Bass sounds so killer!!!!!! and it looks great!!!!

Interesting, I own the Fallout, it’s rather heavy. I picked up a mustang squire, blue with the racing stripe, very lite and sounds great with flats. And then a shell pink Bronco, like the mustang in weight , modded a Seymour D pickup in that one, flats , fun bass to perform with. This one here sounds great. Might have to add that to the group.

Well crap, now I have to get one. I was immediately intrigued when this was announced, but I was waiting for some reviews before committing. I guess this seals it. That thing sounds amazing basically any way you played it.

I don't normally string anything with them, but I get the feeling a set of flats would be killer on this one. Follow-up vid perhaps?

A tone shoot-out between the Rascal and the Dean EVO short scale bass could be interesting: the EVO also has two humbuckers and a huge body....a body made from a kind of mahogany which I would expect to be, sound-wise, warm and round. I dig all of lobster's reviews absolutely! But I would be very interested to see sometimes reviews on some "less well known"/"underrated"/"a little bit offside" brands like Dean, Godin, Schecter, ESP etc.

I think this bass would look killer with a natural finish and black pick guard

L’ho prenotato! Non vedo l’ora!

everyone one i tried was a boat anchor weighed more than a 70's jazz bass

Awesome review as always! Looking for a short scale that will be my main bass and that can do it all; I'm going between this Rascal and the Sire U5, which would you recommend?

Bass VI aren’t baritone. They’re tuned to the same octave as any other bass.

I ordered the pink Squier Rascal from Fender right before watching this video. I've been trying to get a Sire U5, but everything's backordered. I have a Fender Rascal already. I might check and see if it has a "swimming pool" route under the pickguard and replace the single coils with some of those humbuckers!😂

It sounds great. But, unfortunately I have the same gripe with this as I had with the original Fender Rascal... as you say, it "feels" like a full scale bass. That bridge placement way toward the middle of the body is a no-go for me. Same problem with the G&L Fallout bass. I don't see the point of having a short scale bass when it feels the same as a full scale. Music Man is one of the few companies that got their short scale right, ergonomically. Sandberg is good as well. Man, I've got to say, though, it sound absolutely KILLER. Especially for a budget Squier. And it looks killer as well. Very nice in every regard besides the "full scale in a short scale" flaw. Uugh. With all that room behind the bridge, it might be cool to make a full scale version. Upper frets would be hard to reach, but who cares... I'm in the first, third, or fifth position 95% of the time. Also, just a side thought, but a version of the Squier PJ Mustang Bass with these pickups would be a very cool thing as well.

I really like it and I'd like to try it out when it arrives to music stores.😊