Squier Paranormal Rascal vs. Epiphone Newport - Vintage Vibes Galore! - LowEndLobster Tone Shootout

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Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass Review: • Squier Paranormal Rasc...
Epiphone Newport Bass Review: • Epiphone Newport Bass ...
Flatwounds for Rascal: www.labella.co...
Hey Everyone! Today we're putting our Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass up against our slightly modified Ephone Newport! We have a special tone shootout today as we'll be testing these basses back to back with both roundwounds (SIT Foundation) and Flatsounds (La Bella Deep Talkin Flats). Vintage vibes await you in this short scale bass battle. Let's do this!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at sitstrings.com/
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[@jonsidell3338]

That Rascal is begging for some lollipop tuners.

[@LowEndLobster]

Great idea!

[@mannishboy1]

​@@LowEndLobster Are ​​there any lightweight, drop-in, no drill, lollypop tuners on the market? Does Grover Res-O-Lites come in lollypop? I just bought one of these babies strictly on your recommendation (mine's shell pink...)

[@slimkickens]

​@@mannishboy1I think hipshot might have some

[@thefool2007]

The Squier with flats sounds awesome. That bass is a winner. It had bark, bite, and sonic flexibility. It has the mojo and looks killer. The other bass was ok but not even close tone wise. Shy in the lows and thin in the highs. Great demo as always.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I love love love the squier. I took it to a jam and a band rehearsal and it killed both times. Mojo for days

[@KevinMajka]

It does sound great and short scale Squiers tends to keep their value outside of the entry level bronco. I remember the vintage modified mustang with the proper pickup and a maple neck going for $500 a few years ago.

[@mannishboy1]

​@@LowEndLobsterHey Brother... You replied "yes" when I asked if Squier Rascal HH would fit in a Sire long scale gig bag. I didn't know Sire made 2 long scale gig bags! Does it fit in the M or the V bag? Maybe either one? Thanks for all the info!

[@JohnnieDelong]

I'm going aginst the flow and saying I liked the Newport. That being said you had to put some hard work and money into it before that test. Stock I would buy the Squier but thanks to your skills thumbs up to the Newport, liked the highs in the tones.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! Great comment!

[@trekster0721]

Yup, added the same flats to my Rascal. Wish you could update this Bass to six claws! Been contemplating mods, since the pickups are 4-conductor and there is plenty of routes space beneath the pickguard. However, I've decided instead to swap out the volume and tone pots with a jazz bass stack set. 😊

[@robjgolde3221]

The T-Bird pickup on on the Newport sounds alright, but the neck pickup just sounds like trash, as does the out of phase tone with both pickups on. The Rascal on the other hand has so many more great, useable tones with rounds or flats.

[@alexanderhemming9148]

Rascal sounds generic, Newport sounds unique. Not even close for me

[@briansotodo]

Sure, it sounds like you have a chorus on 😂

[@willistaylor4077]

Lob, I was so close to buying a Rascal Bass, but for me, found it quite heavy and I also found the neck too narrow for my liking. I ended up buying a Gretsch G2220 Short-scale Bass.

[@Cliffswanson]

This is a really excellent demo showing the very obvious tonal differences between these two basses. And I totally agree that the Paranormal Rascal bass sounds stellar when strung with flats. Thanks for putting in the time to make this demo!

[@pilummurialis6490]

the epiphone loses just purely on aesthetics alone, tone is just the SG/EB basses

[@matthewlongstaff3112]

My ideal bass would be a Mustang, but with the pickups of the Rascal and the blend control of an Epiphone.

[@taitoradephx]

This is the EXACT comparison I was looking for, thank you!

[@thomasjoudo1668]

you sold me on the rascal with your last video, it arrived last night and is spectacular, was looking forward to this video, love the flats.

[@LowEndLobster]

Congrats! These things really have no business being this good. I feel like a ranting lunatic telling folks about this life changing squier lol

[@ascoyne]

@@LowEndLobster but is it better than a Sire U5?

[@zyxwfish]

Have you done a steinberger spirit bass video yet? Those are amazing for tone and playability and in the lower $400 range.

[@LowEndLobster]

A loooooooooooooooong time ago. It was one of my first videos ever. I should revisit at some point.

[@jakea4267]

Do you think you are gonna do a video fixing the phase of the Newport pickups?

[@kurdtjohn]

Rascal is the clear winner here, imo. I thought the Newport sounded a tad anemic for my taste.

[@BassPlayer66]

I installed LaBella flats on my Paranormal Rascal HH a couple weeks ago..... and you are correct. They are staying on the bass. This bass is indeed a rock solid playing/sounding bass. I was shocked at the quality of this killer Squier. Cheers!

[@RishPanjeetJr]

Sorry, but what gauge? Haven’t had a short scale in ages

[@pacree]

Yeah, the Racal takes it, all around. Besides tone and playability, I recall that you've modified the Newport with Hipshot tuners (albeit sale priced) and bridge, plus luthier work to make it playable ($100?). So... Rascal at $US400 and the Newport at what, $700!?! Not even close.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yup, Newport has all new hardware plus took a lot of work. I did the work myself but a less experienced person would likely go to a tech and spend 100 or so. Squier hit a home run with the Rascal

[@paulczubryt8644]

The Newport sounds pretty weak compared to the Rascal. The tone of the Squier is just fuller. The flats sound great on there too! I've been impressed with what Squier is putting out these days. I guess with Fenders being priced out of a lot of people's budgets, Squier has to step up.

[@davidvitale9338]

If only I was in the market for yet ANOTER bass, that Sherwood Green Rascal would be on order. Can't say enough good about the tone and vibe. Sounded fantastic.

[@SlaughteredDecay]

I think I prefer the Rascal lookswise, but the Newport just cuts better 😮

[@st.johnfromdesmoines8361]

A very interesting comparison! I like most of the tones on both basses. And I like the look and features of both basses. I think my next bass will very likely be a short scale and could very likely even be one of these two specifically! I respect and admire both, though I think the Squier is more novel and unique. Two things that are equally true of both basses for me: they both sound better with flats, and they both sound better finger style. I really wish we could've heard 50% tone, though, because I almost never use either 100% nor 0% tone on any instrument. I also wish we could've heard how their slap tones sounded, because even with as sloppy and acutely limited of a bass player that I am, tragicomically rudimentary slap is still a factor for me! What I can say for sure is that when it comes to neck pickup vs neck pickup and bridge pickup vs bridge pickup (at both 100% and at 0%, but especially at 0%), I preferred the sound of the Epiphone across the board - a completely clean sweep! I felt like they had more personality and character - or at least a personality and character I resonate with more strongly. For lack of a better way to say it, they struck my ears as "more cohesive". Also, at 0%, the Squier pickups just sounded like mud, where the Epi retained a little more bite and personality. I also strongly prefer the look of the Epiphone. Having actually held neither one of them, I can only speculate on feel, but apart from upper fret access being clearly better on the Squier, I strongly suspect that I would also prefer the feel of the Epiphone too. I definitely like that it's not an offset body like the Squier, but also like that the Squier is string-through. I also like that the Squier came perfect out of the box where the Epi needed some serious work to get to where it is. Where I'm undecided is as it comes to the sounds of the middle position. You're right: the middle position is much much beefier and fatter on the Squier and much much thinner and more scooped on the Epi. It's a phase thing, as you said - and I suspect it wouldn't be super difficult to mod either one to have a phase on/off switch, giving both basses equivalently both kinds of middle position sound. But taking them as they currently are, the problem is, I'm having a REALLY hard time deciding which middle sound I like better. With a pick, I definitely prefer the Squier, but with flats and finger style, I really prefer the Epi. Though I realize there are significant differences, and this is a fairly weak comparison, the personality of middle position on the Squier reminds me a little bit of a darker, thicker J-Bass, where the middle on the Epiphone doesn't profoundly remind me of anything, with the closest far distant thing maybe [maaaaaybe] being a Rickenbacker. Since I have a J-Bass but don't have anything even remotely like a Ric, that'd make the middle position tone more valuable to me on the Epi. The problem with the Epi middle (besides being thin) is that I hear a little less difference than I'd want between the middle position and the bridge position. They're not completely redundant by any means, but the pickup settings on the Epi don't quite sound like "three completely different things" to me either. But maybe that's okay. Between the beef of the neck, and the articulation of the bridge, maybe a weirdly scooped thing is an okay third option. So, I'm torn on the matter of the middle. I also admire the build quality and novelty of the Squier. But put everything on the scales here (no pun intended), and at least preliminarily, I think I probably still prefer the Epi overall. I reserve the right to change my mind on this later after more contemplation and exposure. But off the cuff, at least, go ahead and put me down for Team Epiphone! :-) Lastly, what happened to the beard? You do you, of course, but personally, I prefer the bearded look on ya. :-) Great vid! Thanks for uploading! Cheers! 🍻

[@jjerkamillo]

The Rascal sounds great, i jist hate how it's a shortscale but the almost size of a full scale in overall comparison. I'm in the market for a SS bass for my wife and kids to start jamming on, and although I know in my heart I'd get the most bang for my buck with the Sire U5, I just cant justify spending over $500 (after tax/shipping) on an instrument they might bail on. At least with a $375 Newport i have a completely different instrument to noodle on. Not to be a snob, but I couldn't imagine ever wanting to pickup the Paranormal over my MIA Jazz, especially if they're almost the same size in my lap.

[@matthewlongstaff3112]

Have you tried a Mustang?

[@kevmac1230]

Gretcsch Electromatic bass fits the bill.

[@squarepants.official555]

WowNice comparo. I like the big Clover leaf tuners looks with the green finish on the Rascal👉🎸Nice Chops Host👍😎☯️

[@ianchisholm9260]

I have the Newport , but I must mention that because of the split Bridge set up , you need Medium scale strings , not short .. apart from adding a Hipshot Bridge , what do you suggest to fix the “out of phase” tone on the front pickup ?? .. Regards Ian

[@wanieldeir2]

Does the Epiphone taste like menthol? Shame they also didn't go with the green/white style.

[@Vovanov18]

I have a soft spot for the tones of the Newport. Sounds almost like a Rickenbacker.

[@victornow5221]

I wanted to get a Rascal but after this demo I'm not sure anymore Newport sounds way more old school.

[@guitfidle]

Man, I just did NOT enjoy the Rscal I tried. I really liked the look, and was anxious to check it out, but once I started playing I couldn't wait to put it down.

[@dougstelestrat]

I have traded the Newport for the Squier Rascal the Newport feels like a toy compared to the Rascal

[@ronbzoom8531]

That poor Epiphone never stood a chance against the Squier. Now how about the Squier vs the Sire U5 short scale? Now that's a more even match, me thinks!

[@nder]

Second this!

[@VillageMonk44]

Was really torn between getting one of these two basses but this video made my decision really easy lol. Even though i like the look and colour options of the newport better the thin clanky sound of those pickups is really disappointing. The rascal sounds really nice and full and with the tone up even still has some clarity without being thin. The thiner neck and better qc is really the icing on the cake for me as well. Great video thanks for the comparison!

[@michaelblaney4461]

The Rascal is the better bass , the Newport has some good tones too but both pickups are not good. Both of the basses sound better with the flats. 😊

[@matiasaguerre]

should I buy this one if I want to play (pop) punk-rock? 😅

[@jeffsorensen7991]

I think the flats make the Newport sound better, but I prefer the sound of the Rascal with both sets...I am putting some flats on my new Rascal tonight.

[@jamesdykes517]

Man the tonal possibilities in the Squire sure kick the piss out of the Newport. Thanks for the demo. Great stuff.

[@rshack4927]

I'd love to hear a comparison of the Fender vs Squier Rascals!

[@OngoGablogian487]

The Newport sounds absolutely lifeless.

[@KevinMajka]

I think a JMJ Mustang should be a future short scale review.

[@barackmycat9448]

Squire all the way. Those La Bella flats are my favorite string lately. Heck now I want one.

[@vincentmorelli1013]

The color alone sells me on the Rascal. I'd like the Newport if it didn't have the pickup issue. Would love to hear it with that sorted out if it makes a difference.

[@mossknives]

Thanks for the review! Just ordered the “Lowend Lobster Red” version! (Fender calls the color Candy apple red).

[@LowEndLobster]

OMG they look so good

[@mossknives]

@@LowEndLobster can not wait for it to arrive! Fender has a Father’s Day deal if you buy a $300 gift card, get a free $45 gift card. With the 10% fender play discount it came to around $359 before taxes. So psyched. Thanks again for the honest reviews!

[@bartwitek9526]

Rascal looks stunning , lollipop tuners would be a nice upgrade , Newport doesn’t look that great but it has more vintage tone imo .

[@willistaylor4077]

Last question, Lob: You really liked the Sire U5 Short-scale Bass? Was it fairly light in body weight? Thanks. 👍🎸

[@LowEndLobster]

U5 revisit coming very soon :)

[@bb_lz9790]

A lot of the Newport tones sound pretty good. Are the pickups 3-wire (so that the phase of one can easily be reversed or are they old-school single-conductor + shield, so it requires some invasive surgery to fix it?

[@LowEndLobster]

If only! The - and the shield are also connected so you would have to separate them on the pickup side otherwise you get horrible hum when you touch the pickup housing (fixed the phase issue though LOL)

[@MrTatiblack]

I like both but i think that the squier has a fatter and more rounded sound

[@mauricemusician7636]

Seems like Squier is putting out better than Fender these days.

[@springsteenguy]

Thanks for another great video. I respect your opinion and your approach to bass reviews. You rock, man.

[@PLT123]

Rascal with rounds!

[@everythingjingabell8416]

I love the look of Newport bass❤❤❤

[@kevmac1230]

I hear ya', something about it grabs me.

[@steviemac8075]

I liked the Newport but I am slightly biased because I have a sunset yellow one being delivered tomorrow. Squire products are killing Epiphone over price and quality but I just prefer the Newport Gona get an Embassy next. Don’t know just like them 🤷🏼‍♂️🦞 Great Channel 🦞

[@nder]

I lucked into a crazy deal on a Rascal last week - $350, like new, I mean, protective film and Fender online lessons sticker still on it like new. So why am I frustrated? Because it's the black one, and I'm forcing myself not to touch it until I can find a green one to try and swap it for! First world problems lol.

[@PlayWithYourThumb]

Been after a shorty for a while. I tried ssssssoooooo hard to like the Squier but the weight, neck dive and skinny neck were too much for me. The MANY quality complaints I read about the Newport discouraged me from looking seriously. I ended up with a Torino Green Gretsch G2220. Even with some shielding foil and a set of Gotoh tuners it was still cheaper here in Oz by about 300 bucks.

[@KPJohnson]

I found the Newport underwhelming. Love the Squier, especially since I have one!

[@davidperalta9352]

Salutations to you too Mr. Lobster

[@LowEndLobster]

Ahoy!

[@MadJackF1]

I haven't seen you mention if you tried reversing the leads on one of the pickups on the Newport. If not try reversing the positive and negative leads of one of the pickups. Be sure to leave any ground/shielding leads to the ground. It's likely it is just electrically reversed on one of the pickups, hence each pickup sounds correct separately, but is out of phase when run together. If this doesn't correct the issue, then one of the pickups id magnetically out of phase, which requires either reversing the magnets (North South) or getting the magnets re-magnetized with North and South reversed. BTW, The Rascal has the warmer fuller sound (not accounting for the phase issues of the Newport), while the Newport has more treble bite, which might be preferred by some. The Rascal is awesome with the flats.

[@LowEndLobster]

I have but the problem is that the casing is also wired to that ground, so when you reverse the leads the pickup casing will cause the pickup to get real noisy. Need to do surgery on the pickup or replace the pickup entirely with one that has a separated shield ground.

[@MadJackF1]

@@LowEndLobster I've done that with a Telecaster guitar neck pickup, when doing the four-way switch (1. B&N Series, 2. N, 3. B&N parallel and 4. B). A third lead, for the casing to separate the ground lead from the casing ground (noise cancelation). this is a touchy procedure, as those little leads can be fragile.

[@willistaylor4077]

Also, the Puddy Tats sent me an email. They want the beard back. ❤️❤️😄😹🎸🎸

[@TAAK9SAR11]

Going back and forth, the Newport looks like a toy. Props to the rascal for being voted “least likely to appear to be a short scale bass”

[@VeitLehmann]

Now for the basses: I absolutely agree, the Fender eats the Epi for breakfast, at least for 90% of the settings. I just found the tone control on the Fender to be too aggressive and muffling the sound too much. The one on the Epiphone on the other hand was a bit too weak, resulting in unpleasing honkiness sometimes. I preferred the Fender's neck pickup, but on the bridge pickup, I'm undecided. With both on, the Fender sounds great, the Epi almost unusable (only finger style with flats was somewhat decent). After all, I think the flatswounds made the Fender sound even better, and they made the Epiphone usable and finally brought it to life! With rounds, it's a zombie. But I have to break a lance for Epiphone: I just snagged an Epiphone Rumblekat, and I have to say that this might be one of the best vintage-inspired shorties on the market! Flawlessly built, really sexy looks, great playability and a very special but really awesome sound! You should really try one, I would be so curious about your opinion! By the way, mine also came with flats, looks like they're also La Bella Deep Talking. Maybe that's why I fell in love with it...?

[@WildWildWeasel]

Squier has the looks, Epiphone has the tone. I'd swap the pups on the squier for something like the Newport, cus that tone was faaaaaat. I want one now lmao.

[@joermnyc]

I think both had good tone. Newport’s out of phase should be fixed, but perhaps retain it via a switch or push-pull pot under the Tone knob (if it will fit, CTS now has push-pulls with a shorter design) as it’s a unique sound. Could be argued that at this prince point, why not both? 🤷‍♂️

[@jkf9167]

The Squier sounds better and looks better. The Epiphone sounds good too, but the Squier has those mids that sometimes sound like they're almost too much when you're playing alone (you yourself got all shy because of it when you were playing the bridge pup/rounds/pick/tone 100% part with the Squier), but sound amazing, and amazingly old-school in a mix. And the tone knob on the Squier does something. .

[@HorizonMelt]

Which do you find more comfortable to sit with? Your posture seems more symmetric when playing the Squier

[@bflo1000]

I love everything about the Rascal except for it has the same problem as the G&L fallout bass. The bridge should be back towards the bottom of the bass like the Newport is.

[@ericm8025]

I own that exact Squier Paranormal and it is awesome. Those Fender pickups are probably some of the best sounding pickups I have on any bass. Deep, round with clarity. Really amazing sound.

[@sunn_bass]

Nice comparison. The Squier Paranormal basses and guitars made in China really impress me. The ones I've tried along with 3 Paranormal guitars I own are close to better playing than Fender MIM. Amazing quality for the price.

[@JudeCarpenter-ix3ty]

Im a little torn Will. I love Squires stuff especially over the last few years. Really when the classic vibe series became a thing. My first new bass was a squire deluxe dimension bass. (which id love to see you review) and ive been a squire fan since. But the Jack Casady bass made my eyes pop at the sockets at how great of an instrument it is. Im really eager to try that Rascal bass. But the Newport is so vintage(y) and sounds good. But the squire is outstanding. I just love underdogs

[@murraypigdon2552]

You wouldn't happen to know which model ultra lightweight Hipshot tuners would fit would you?

[@markblackstad8705]

I like the flats better on both of those basses. The rascal really sounds killer! I liked it with the rounds too. I would submit that gone are the days when a Squier was just a cheapo knock off of a quality (Fender) bass. I have a few of my own and they hold their own with any bass, especially with a few simple mods from time to time in certain situations, as Lobster has been showing us!

[@Shira2]

Wondering if regular length flats would fit on the rascal?

[@LMaia14]

Love your videos Lobster, but damn if the GAS isn't killing me right now

[@jugglerj0e]

I gotta say that the Newport should be much cheaper in price ($350)

[@vinnyolmsted8018]

I like the Squier neck pickup and the Epiphone bridge pickup. Flats with a pick all the way for this kind of bass.

[@SICMetal74]

It’s a no brainer Fender is leaps and bounds better than Gibson in at least the bass department if not all departments!

[@fredparker3384]

How does the Sire U5 stack up against the Squire?

[@spencerh1428]

Can I buy that Newport from you?

[@LowEndLobster]

Sure, though it won't be for sale for a few more months as I am going to do a pickup mod series with it

[@ronrichards2233]

Just an observation that the flats really leveled out the Epiphone, but have to give the win to the Squier.

[@cliffords2315]

Squier with Rounds, because thas my sound.

[@JoshBattershell]

I really want one of these rascal basses, but I realistically need a new 5 string first. Hopefully a few come up on the used market soon

[@RastaLlama]

holy moly!! the beard is gone! Another excellent review from my favourite KZbin bass reviewer 😄

[@vincesforza9479]

The rascal bass blew me away now in going have yo buy one. Love everything about that bass .

[@ulash12344321]

Hi Lobster, I hope I'd find the chance to try the Rascal. Looks and sounds really cool to me. As a short scale I had a Epiphone Viola. In the Epiphone line up I believe that one is the best choise as a short scale. Great content as usual 😉👍

[@larryjeffryes6168]

Great demo! Liking the Sqiers! In the 79/80 time frame I had "ground wound' where the strings were presumably flat wound then ground smooth. Can these still be found?

[@jasondorsey7110]

I've used half-rounds, which are a roundwound ground smooth, they're not bad as they eliminate some of the fret/finger noise while still being relatively low tension

[@RichyO1977]

You’ve convinced me with those Flatwounds on that Rascal.. I will definitely look at one of those!

[@svenblau]

I need that shirt, Lobster! Where can I get one? :)

[@garypearce338]

Setting aside tone preferences, based on my experience not many people have the expertise to fix the many problems that one is likely to encounter with the Newport. I had one and loved most everything about it but could not get it dialed in, couldn't find a decent replacement bridge, couldn't fix the buzzing, and just traded one bug for another with the phasing issue. Finally gave up and returned it. Conversely the Rascal was essentially perfect right out of the box; I haven't even done the near-automatic flat string replacement because I like the stock ones so much. Love(d) the tone on both. I would trade in all my other basses for the Rascal, I like it that much. I'd probably buy another Newport if there were a retailer advertising that they'd fixed/upgraded everything, as that mudbucker tone is just awesome.

[@kevmac1230]

I have replaced the crap Gibson bridges with Hipshot 2 or 3 pointers.They do the job.But like everything these days they're overpriced.The pickup issue is a simple soldering job on a couple of wires.Shame on Epiphone QC. Epi's are usually good stuff.

[@davefox1139]

Just got my Rascal in Shell Pink yesterday! KEEPER!!

[@martintaylor1758]

Not seen a shell pink yet. My favourite finish. Hope it gets released in the UK.

[@bflo1000]

Squier all the way. Not even close.

[@goforthpatrick]

Dig the Rascal. Is it as big as a full scale jazz? That bridge placement is paranormal.

[@EliBernitt]

Yep

[@crankjazz]

The Newport looks better....

[@LowEndLobster]

The newport is definitely a looker. I dig the styling a lot. Sad that the playing experience doesn't match that though

[@willistaylor4077]

Oh.... The Flats were pure Tonal Heaven. ❤❤❤

[@robertyoung7027]

Love the shirt.. is that bear pissing in a stream? lol

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes I got it in Jackson Hole haha

[@robertyoung7027]

@@LowEndLobster lmao cool shirt bro.. bought me a sire V3 tobacco burst and an Epiphone embassy in teal sparkle.. since last we spoke

[@scottbrower9052]

On looks, the Rascal wins hands down.

[@VeitLehmann]

So, we have a clear winner: The La Bella!

[@yperia]

far better the Squier!

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Squire Rass Bass! 💥

[@TheDarkKnight73]

Squier

[@Starflyer0059]

whoever liked the epiphone over the squier needs to get their ears cleaned.

[@LowEndLobster]

I appreciate all points of view here. That's the nice thing about bass- choices!

[@Starflyer0059]

@@LowEndLobster until you get a g&l placenta 💀

[@dynodansmoking]

Great job

[@Farbocaster]

I wonder what the comments would have been if you had not prefaced the shootout with such strong feelings about the Rascal bass. The Rascal was quite good, but the Newport was not as bad as I was expecting. To my ears, the Epi sounded brighter overall which I prefer. Also, it's bridge was closer to the butt end which, in my opinion, would feel better. The Squier's bridge was much closer to the neck. I play flat wound strings, so I was particularly happy to see that you used them during your test.

[@LowEndLobster]

Part of my strong feelings stem from the crazy amount of work that went in to make the newport not a complete mess (and it has $250ish in hardware upgrades to boot). I did compliment the newport on its tone in this video, but the Rascal is way ahead of the Epi in regards to playing and ownership experience.

[@jdmarino]

And the newport is not at the same price point as the rascal once you figure that in.

[@Farbocaster]

Thanks for your replies. I see your point. $250 is a lot of money to put into a bass such as the Epi. Considering that, the Rascal is definitely a better buy. I love your mods and upgrades. I am a gearhead and an amateur modder. Keep up the good work.

[@karlvanbeckum9029]

Love the Squier overall. There didn't seem to be much tone variation from 0% to 100% on the Epiphone pickups.