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Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
VS
Playability
75
Sound
75
Build
60
Value
80
Score
70
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Playability
73
Sound
84
Build
64
Value
84
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
Fender logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
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Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V vs Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Specs Comparison
Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
General
Brand: Fender Squier Fender Squier
Year: 2022 2023
Configuration: SH HH
Strings: 5 4
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Contemporary Paranormal
Colors: Black Pink
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Poplar
Bridge: 5-Saddle Standard 4-Saddle Mustang Bass Strings-Through-Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Indian Laurel Laurel
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Dot Offset Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 34" 30"
Shape: Bass C Shape Bass C Shape
Frets: 20 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 9.5"
Nut: Graphite Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 47.6mm (1.875'') 38.1mm (1.5'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Squier SQR Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker / Active) Fender Designed Wide-Range Bass Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Squier SQR Split Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Wide-Range Bass Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 0 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's switch options

Reasons to Get
Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V over Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

Strings
5 vs 4
Allows you to play lower notes
Pickups
SH vs HH
Very bright bridge tone and a very warm neck pickup
Nut Width
1.875'' (47.6mm) vs 1.5'' (38.1mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Preamp
Active vs Passive
More versatile and customizable tonal palette than a Passive preamp
Scale Length
34'' (863.6mm) vs 30'' (762mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH over Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V

Release Year
2023 vs 2022
From a more recent year
Pickups Brand
Fender vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Graphite
Good quality nut with rich tone
Strings
4 vs 5
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Switch Positions
3 vs 0
More tone options
Pickups
HH vs SH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
21 vs 20
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.5'' (38.1mm) vs 1.875'' (47.6mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Preamp
Passive vs Active
Doesn't require a battery, so it's more dependable
Scale Length
30'' (762mm) vs 34'' (863.6mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
84 vs 80
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V vs Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

Bridge Pickup
Squier SQR Ceramic Humbucker vs Fender Designed Wide-Range Bass Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Squier SQR Split Single-Coil vs Fender Designed Wide-Range Bass Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
4-1 vs 4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V vs Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

Body Wood
Poplar
Same Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel
Same Fretboard Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both are balanced for most hand sizes.

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH meets 5 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V has an SH configuration while the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH has HH pickups.

SH is a more versatile version of the classic telecaster (SS) configuration. The bridge pickup usually produces a bright and twangy tone, while the neck Humbucker gives you the warmer tone you'll need for more Jazzy/Bluish solos and chords.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Preamp Circuit

A preamp in an electric bass functions as an electronic circuit that acts as an interface between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its main purpose is to amplify and customize the bass's initial signal before it reaches the amplifier, offering enhanced control over factors like tone, volume, and sound attributes. Preamps typically come equipped with tone adjustments, equalization options, and sometimes built-in effects, empowering bass players to fine-tune their sound to suit their personal preferences and the musical environment.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V's preamp is Active while the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's is Passive.

Active: Unlike passive basses, which rely solely on passive pickups and tone controls, active preamps require a power source, typically a 9-volt battery, to operate. The active preamp offers several advantages, including the ability to boost or cut specific frequencies, resulting in a more versatile and customizable tonal palette. Active basses are favored in genres where precise tonal sculpting and extended tonal options are essential, such as jazz fusion or progressive rock. However, they do require occasional battery replacement or recharging to ensure optimal performance.

Passive: A bass with a passive preamp lacks an onboard electronic circuit for tone shaping and signal boosting. Instead, it relies solely on passive pickups and basic tone controls, typically consisting of volume and tone knobs. Passive preamps don't require an external power source like batteries, making them low-maintenance and dependable. While they offer a simpler and more straightforward tonal character, passive basses are appreciated for their warm and vintage sound, often favored in genres like classic rock, blues, and funk. They are an excellent choice for musicians who value the simplicity and timeless appeal of their instrument's tone without the need for active electronic components.

Winner: Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH gives you 3 switch options while the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V gives you 0. This means that the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
Pickups 65
Sustain 85
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 75
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 80
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 84

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V compares to the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your bass to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V has a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Vintage-Style.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a bass is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
  • Active Preamp
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Active Preamp
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
Quality of materials 46
Features 70
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 60
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 64

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a bass might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a bass feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Nut Width
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Nut Width
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V has the wider nut with 47.6mm (1.875'') vs 38.1mm (1.5''). This is a 9.5mm (0.375'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V's Scale Length
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V's Scale Length
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's Scale Length
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V has the longest scale: 34". The Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH is only 30" long. This is a 4'' (101.6mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the bass sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V and the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's Fingerboard radius

Most bass fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V.

Fret Size

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V and Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH Frets Size
Both have a similar Narrow Tall fret size

Both have a Narrow Tall fret size. Their height is very similar to Jumbo frets, but they have a narrower crown. They won't let you feel the fretboard when playing, which will make it easier to get clean notes. However, if you press down too hard you might get the notes out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Squier Contemporary Active Precision Bass PH V
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Fender Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal Bass HH
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73