SQUIER PARANORMAL SERIES (2020)
Squier revives forgotten Fender classics with the Paranormal Series. This new range marks the return of the Toronado, Cyclone, Super-Sonic, Offset Telecaster, Cabronita and many more.
Summer NAMM may not be taking place this year, but Fender has unveiled the first of its releases due for the show with the Squier Paranormal Series, which brings several forgotten gems from the Fender archive back to life.
That means beloved cult classic electric guitars such as the Toronado, Cyclone, Super-Sonic and Cabronita are available again, as well as the Offset Telecaster, a new Baritone Cabronita and a fresh vintage-styled Jazz Bass configuration.
All these new models feature poplar bodies available in two finishes (apart from the Baritone Cabronita), and C-shaped, gloss-finished maple necks, as well as either string-through-body hardtail bridges or Stratocaster tremolos.
The new releases are available to preorder now, and will ship in summer/fall 2020. Read on for the lowdown on all Squier’s Paranormal activity…
Squier Paranormal Toronado
The Toronado was first launched back in 1998, and teamed a modified offset shape with dual humbuckers. Its Squier revival features a slim, gloss-finished C-shaped neck with Gibson-like 24.75” scale length, hardtail bridge, and individual volume and tone controls for its pair of high-output Atomic humbuckers.
Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster
Something of a cult favorite among alt-rockers, the Offset Telecaster combines Tele specs with the Jazzmaster body shape. The most affordable incarnation yet boasts two Fender-Designed Alnico single coils, string-through-body hardtail bridge and gloss-finished slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Cyclone
The Cyclone dates back to 1997, with a Mustang-inspired shape but with a little extra body mass. Squier’s Paranormal version features a poplar body, Stratocaster vintage-style tremolo, Jaguar controls and a trio of Fender-Designed single coils. Like the Toronado, it features a 24.75” scale length and slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Super-Sonic
The original reverse-offset Super-Sonic actually began life as a Squier model launched in 1997. This latest version features dual Atomic humbuckers, a C-shape neck profile, narrow 1.5” nut width and vintage-style tremolo. Not to mention that ace reverse headstock.
Squier Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster
Ah, we remember the oh-so-cool 2012 Tele-meets-Gretsch Cabronita Telecaster well. It returns here with a similar semi-hollow look, but a set of Alnico Jazzmaster single coils fill the pickup cavities. Elsewhere, there’s a string-through body hardtail bridge and gloss-finished slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Now we’re talking! Squier has lowered the Cabronita’s tone with a 27” scale length, as well as the same Alnico single coils that appear on its non-baritone sibling. It packs a solid poplar body, too. Yes, please.
Squier Paranormal Jazz Bass ’54
Rather than reviving a forgotten gem, the Paranormal’s sole bass entry channels Fender’s Parallel Universe line-up by equipping a classic outline with radically different specs. Case in point: the Paranormal Jazz Bass ’54 teams Fender-Designed Jazz Bass pickups with 1954 Precision Bass styling. It features a C-shaped neck profile, narrow 1.5” nut width, vintage-style bridge and tuning machines, dual concentric volume and tone controls and a ’50s-style pickguard.
Squier Paranormal Series was mistakenly leaked in January 2020 at the time of the Winter NAMM but was officially released at a time when Fender should have been p[reparing for the 2020 Summer NAMM.
Each model is officially priced at £399 in the UK.
Pickups across the board are 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 with modern C shape neck profiles, and where applicable, use Indian Laurel fretboards.
Summer NAMM may not be taking place this year, but Fender has unveiled the first of its releases due for the show with the Squier Paranormal Series, which brings several forgotten gems from the Fender archive back to life.
That means beloved cult classic electric guitars such as the Toronado, Cyclone, Super-Sonic and Cabronita are available again, as well as the Offset Telecaster, a new Baritone Cabronita and a fresh vintage-styled Jazz Bass configuration.
All these new models feature poplar bodies available in two finishes (apart from the Baritone Cabronita), and C-shaped, gloss-finished maple necks, as well as either string-through-body hardtail bridges or Stratocaster tremolos.
The new releases are available to preorder now, and will ship in summer/fall 2020. Read on for the lowdown on all Squier’s Paranormal activity…
Squier Paranormal Toronado
The Toronado was first launched back in 1998, and teamed a modified offset shape with dual humbuckers. Its Squier revival features a slim, gloss-finished C-shaped neck with Gibson-like 24.75” scale length, hardtail bridge, and individual volume and tone controls for its pair of high-output Atomic humbuckers.
Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster
Something of a cult favorite among alt-rockers, the Offset Telecaster combines Tele specs with the Jazzmaster body shape. The most affordable incarnation yet boasts two Fender-Designed Alnico single coils, string-through-body hardtail bridge and gloss-finished slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Cyclone
The Cyclone dates back to 1997, with a Mustang-inspired shape but with a little extra body mass. Squier’s Paranormal version features a poplar body, Stratocaster vintage-style tremolo, Jaguar controls and a trio of Fender-Designed single coils. Like the Toronado, it features a 24.75” scale length and slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Super-Sonic
The original reverse-offset Super-Sonic actually began life as a Squier model launched in 1997. This latest version features dual Atomic humbuckers, a C-shape neck profile, narrow 1.5” nut width and vintage-style tremolo. Not to mention that ace reverse headstock.
Squier Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster
Ah, we remember the oh-so-cool 2012 Tele-meets-Gretsch Cabronita Telecaster well. It returns here with a similar semi-hollow look, but a set of Alnico Jazzmaster single coils fill the pickup cavities. Elsewhere, there’s a string-through body hardtail bridge and gloss-finished slim C-shaped neck.
Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Now we’re talking! Squier has lowered the Cabronita’s tone with a 27” scale length, as well as the same Alnico single coils that appear on its non-baritone sibling. It packs a solid poplar body, too. Yes, please.
Squier Paranormal Jazz Bass ’54
Rather than reviving a forgotten gem, the Paranormal’s sole bass entry channels Fender’s Parallel Universe line-up by equipping a classic outline with radically different specs. Case in point: the Paranormal Jazz Bass ’54 teams Fender-Designed Jazz Bass pickups with 1954 Precision Bass styling. It features a C-shaped neck profile, narrow 1.5” nut width, vintage-style bridge and tuning machines, dual concentric volume and tone controls and a ’50s-style pickguard.
Squier Paranormal Series was mistakenly leaked in January 2020 at the time of the Winter NAMM but was officially released at a time when Fender should have been p[reparing for the 2020 Summer NAMM.
Each model is officially priced at £399 in the UK.
Pickups across the board are 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 with modern C shape neck profiles, and where applicable, use Indian Laurel fretboards.
Toronado in Lake Placid Blue
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Toronado Lake Placid Black
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Offset Tele in Natural
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Offset Tele in Surf Green
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Super Sonic in Graphite Metallic
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Super Sonic in Ice Blue Metallic
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Cabronita Baritone in Black
Cyclone in Daphne Blue
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Cyclone in Shell Pink
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Cabronita Thinline Tele in Olympic White
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Cabronita Thinline Tele in Fiesta Red
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'54 Jazz Bass in Butterscotch Blonde
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'54 Jazz Bass in White Blonde
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