scrumpymike

Just found the Eden necks online - look good. I see why they're called 'paddle' necks - presumably that enables any type of head-stock design.

Agreed - I am pleasantly surprised too.

Hey Andy, is that THE Eden as in David Eden of amplifier fame? If so then even if the necks are made in China they should be subjected to a pretty good quality control regime in the US before being shipped out to customers. Great to see the body trimmed down btw - exactly as I wanted it! With band-sawing skills like yours you're in the wrong job mate. Ever thought of a career in brain surgery? I think the the trans-black body finish with replacement ebony scratchplate (or even a combination of part ebony/part pearlescent?) will be the game-changer in terms of how the finished bass looks. Yeeee-haaaa 👍

+1 Very impressed!

OK, been away this weekend but I'm on-board now - and excited to be responsible for another Andyjr1515 build diary (I really need to get out more 🙂). Truth is I am so delighted with Andy's original 'Rascal Mervyn-Lyte' that I decided having a 'Rascal Lyte Mkll' as my back-up gig bass was the only way to go. At the time it also seemed like a fairly straightforward project, what with already having the original Fender body plus a few other nice bits and pieces. As Andy has pointed out though, it's not quite so easy since the other parts are more elusive/expensive than expected. On the other current Rascal topic Andy referred to, essentialtension posted that the Rascal neck was nicked off the Coronado, which seemed spot on. Durhamboy has picked up on the same idea but it's interesting to see from his pic that the truss-rod adjustment is at the headstock (on the Chinese copy at least) compared to the bottom end on the Rascal neck. So maybe not worth taking a punt on that one in case it is different from the Rascal neck in other respects too.

I used to run a TE AH500X through a 4x12 + 1x18. Compare and contrast with the current Subway 800+ through a pair of Barefaced Super Compact G3s!! Total weight of the new rig is about the same as the TE bi-amp head alone and it sounds sublime.

Correct!!

I know this isn't relevant to the OP as top end is important to him BUT I stack two SC3s (in landscape format for optimum bottom end) and the sounds with my Subway 800+ and Eden WT550 are to die for, especially on the classic rock covers gigs I mainly do.

Nope - definitely bringing my video camera though 🙂

For various reasons, many of us may have other amp preferences but there's obviously lots of love for Ashdown on here, which is great to see. I certainly share it.

Problem is all that extra timber between the bridge and the bottom strap button. It adds weight, puts the bridge where many players position their plucking hand, and shifts the neck to the left so it is in much the same position as with a standard 34" bass. In other words, the original Rascal design sacrifices the main benefits that short-scale players like me are looking for, namely a light-weight, compact bass with shorter reach for the fretting hand.

Oh no! You weren't meant to tell Pea Turgh that there's an 800 🤐

Just seen this! With Andyjr already on topic, the OP is now in contact with the world's 2-and-only - specialists in Rascal Bass customisation. IMHO if Fender released the same bass with a more sensible name and body they would be on to a winner. It's my go-to gig bass thanks to the great neck and amazing combination of 3 pups selectable in every permutation via 7-position switching. Unfortunately the original body destroyed the ergonomics for me and others who played mine before Andy customised it by making a new body based on the Precision Lyte. Next project is for Andy to build me another starting with re-shaping the original body. What may be of interest to the OP is that there is a very helpful Rascal 'service sheet' published by Fender with sketches, wiring diagram and complete parts list.

And if Rich can say that about the puny 400, just think of the global dominance you will enjoy with the mighty 550!! 😉

"Ps @scrumpymike - I’m eyeing up that Eden amp!" 👍

That's a tricky one!!

+1 for the chambered Maru Jake.

Love what Ronnie 'Plonk' Lane did with the Faces, seems like I'll have to give his solo stuff a listen.

If you were lucky! Good point about band/audience mismatch as the punters often don't know what they're going to see/hear. If they turn up and it's not what they're really in to then they are not going to be overjoyed.

The way we react emotionally to the gigs we play is a complex subject. Last night I drove 30 miles to play a big town-centre pub. Although the money was decent and we played really well, the punters weren't showing much love for themselves, each other, or us. But I still came away feeling really chuffed because the band enjoyed it and I knew I'd earned my money. If even the best-case gigs aren't doing it for you, then maybe your last comment hits the nail on the head.

Sorry but all 'head gear' applied orally, nasally, intravenously or anally is verboten 😀 Don't worry though, Mrs Scrumpy's cheese scones will take you places you've never been before!