You have now crossed over into the Squier Paranormal Range

05 Jun 2020 by Jef |

4,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 3 Minutes

LEAK Squier Paranormal Series NAMM 2020 · Source: offsetguitar

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That notorious Squier Paranormal Range that we leaked in January, has finally been launched. After managing to evade Winter NAMM earlier this year, it is only now getting an official release.

Squier Paranormal Range

Today’s announcement that the Squier Paranormal Range is being released wasn’t exactly a huge surprise to us, as it was leaked back in January. We knew all the models and the specifications six months ago. But now we have official pricing for each of the models, and they are available to order from your local Fender/Squier dealer.

Models include the Paranormal Toronado, Paranormal Offset Telecaster, Paranormal Cyclone, Paranormal Super-Sonic, Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster, Paranormal Jazz Bass, and the Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster. Each model is officially priced at £399 in the UK.

: Squier Paranormal Series 54 Jazz Bass

: Squier Paranormal Series 54 Jazz Bass

: Squier Paranormal Series Cyclone II

: Squier Paranormal Series Cyclone II

: Squier Paranormal Series Supersonic

: Squier Paranormal Series Supersonic

: Squier Paranormal Series Toronado

: Squier Paranormal Series Toronado

: Squier Paranormal Series Offset Tele

: Squier Paranormal Series Offset Tele

: Thinline Cabronita with Jazz pickups

: Baritone P90 Cabronita

Bargains?

You can’t really go wrong with Squiers. I have owned a few of the more recent models, and they are solid, gig worthy instruments. I will even stick my neck out and say that my Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster from a few years back is as good as my boutique Telecaster, which was built in the USA.

Sure, the finishes aren’t nitro, and the hardware is a little cheaper, but the pickups on my Squier are a perfect fit for this particular Telecaster, and it just plays very well. I have also owned the J Mascis Squier Jazzmaster, and again, it is a great guitar for the money; head and shoulders above its price point. So I’m expecting great things from these new Squier models, and reckon they will more than likely deliver the goods.

The Specs

The Squier Paranormal models come with a C shape neck profile, which if I am being picky, I find a tad too slim. My own Squier Classic Vibe has a ’60s bound model and, as I mentioned above, is a great guitar. Just, in a perfect world I would have preferred a slightly chunkier neck profile. However, that is a personal taste issue and I know many players like those C profile necks.

The models are available in the following finishes:

Paranormal Series Toronado – Black and Lake Placid Blue
Paranormal Series Cabronita Thinline with Jazzmaster pickups – Fiesta Red & Olympic White
Paranormal Series Cabronita Baritone – Black
Paranormal Series Offset Tele – Natural & Surf Green
Paranormal Series Super Sonic – Ice Blue Metallic & Graphite Metallic
Paranormal Series Cyclone II – Shell Pink & Daphne Blue

Pickups across the board appear to be Fender-Designed alnico single-coil models, either standard single-coil or P90 in flavour, with the exception of the humbucking models that use the Squier Atomic pickups.

The main body woods are poplar for the solid colour instruments, and okoume for the clear finishes. The necks are all maple, and and where applicable, use Indian Laurel fretboards.

The models in this Squier Paranormal Range are an ideal platform for modding, and I suspect, will sell out quickly. So if you’re looking for a guitar with style that doesn’t cost a fortune, well, you really should check out these models.

RRP – GBP 399 each