Basses

Fender embarks on a time-travelling adventure with the Squier Paranormal series

June 5, 2020

Fender has announced today a new series of Squier guitars, entitled the Paranormal series. The brand described the goal of the run to embrace “forgotten models,” taking you on a journey “through time with the guitars that should have been.” There’s “twists & turns on familiar specs,” as well as a brand-new baritone model.
All of the guitars are, per Squier’s modus operandi, affordably priced, but offer up some reincarnations of hidden Fender gems. They are as follows:
Paranormal Tornado
Image: FenderThis guitar was originally introduced by Fender back in 1998, and offers up a heavier, less jangly approach than some of the brand’s offset fare. The electronics loadout should be familiar to those who favour the layout of a certain notable single cut, with a three-way toggle switch on the top horn, and individual tone and volume controls for each humbucker. The neck sports a comfortable C-shape, and the hardtail bridge is string-through – meaning rock-solid tuning and no tremolo spring-ring when you’re at higher gain settings. The scale length also departs from Fender’s norm, coming in at 24 ¾-inch.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $349.99.
Paranormal Offset Telecaster
Image: FenderCan’t decide between the two Fender classics of a Tele or an Offset? Good news – now you don’t have to. A classic Telecaster set of controls, hardware and pickups finds itself surplanted into a Mustang-style offset body, with slim-C neck and of course the timeless headstock shape to boot.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $399.99.
Paranormal Cyclone
Image: FenderAnother gift to the indecisive among us, the Cyclone sports a Mustang Shape, a Stratocaster Tremolo bridge and controls from a Jaguar – the three angled single-coils are each toggle-able with a switch set in the pickguard. The neck is again a slim C, ending with a large Strat-style headstock, and coming in at a 24 ¾-inch scale length.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $399.99.
Paranormal Super-Sonic
Image: FenderThis eye-catching silhouette doesn’t pull any punches in the quirk department, with a reversed headstock and body shape, as well as a Zebra set of Squier Atomic humbuckers. The C-shaped neck has a comfortably narrow 1.5-inch nut width, and at the other end of things there’s a vintage Strat-style tremolo.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $349.99.
Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster Thinline
Image: FenderThe Cabronita Telecaster is a semi-hollow Telecaster with a twist up its sleeve when it comes to electronics, in that it’s loaded with two Jazzmaster single-coils. There’s a solid string-through hardtail, as well as a maple neck and fretboard, coming with a slim-C shape, and once again the classic small Telecaster headstock returns.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $399.99.
Paranormal Jazz Bass ‘54
Image: FenderThe only bass in the series, however this model according to Fender combines “the easy playability and tonal versatility of the J Bass® with the classic looks of its older sibling, the 1954 Precision Bass.” It’s loaded with two alnico single-coil pickups, and sports a large pickguard for a ‘50s look.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $399.99.
Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Image: FenderThis unique Tele should let you conquer some previously uncharted sonic territory. Not only does it come with a baritone scale length, it’s also loaded with two Fender-designed alnico P90s for heaps of output and twang. There’s a string-through hardtail bridge, a slim C neck profile and a cream pickguard contrasting with a deep black finish.
Lists for £399 / €459 / $399.99.
The Paranormal Series is available to order now, shipping summer/autumn 2020. Find out more at fender.com.
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