2022 Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster SH

[politicalEconomist]

Oh man. I was really hoping that for the next version of the freaky Friday offsets Fender would do an "Offset Stratocaster" in the Paranormal or Alternate Reality series.

They already have the "Strat Jazz Deluxe" in the Parallel Universe line so why not bring it down to a price point where mere mortals can afford it .

Strat Jazz: https://reverb.com/p/fender-parallel-un ... ter-deluxe

[Iffymiffy]

Oh nice, was thinking to pick up a used 2021 version and put a p90 or WRHB in the neck but this will do as nice xmas present this year

[del]

I think this the big Jazzmaster body matches best with a big 70s strat/jazz master headstock rather than the telecaster shape, but that Dakota Red is such a great color! It’s available on a couple of models in the 40th Anniversary line, too - I hope spreads across a few other Squier options.

[JPCordingley]

Not a fan of offset bodies without offset tremolos. Models like this, or those that use strat tremolos look a bit "big butt" to me ^_^U So much empty space.

Agreed. An offset Tele with the offset trem would be amazing. These look nice but to me, if I'm going to have one humbucker on a guitar it's going to be at the bridge rather than the neck - especially on a Tele (the single coil neck pickup on a Tele is the best thing about a Tele for me).

[lastactionhero12765]

Stumbled on to these while looking at the new Paranormal Cabronita and that Fiesta Red -- WOW! I've been toying with the idea of a Nashville Tele with a humbucker in the neck, so if these are routed like the older Offset Teles then this might be the easiest way to go about that.

[Veitchy]

I am loving this brown one. The Dakota red is pretty tasty too. Took me three of four glances to notice that it's a WRHB (or similarly spaced pickup) in the neck. Really interesting to see Fender gradually leaning back in to their own HB design as time goes on.

[lastactionhero12765]

I am loving this brown one. The Dakota red is pretty tasty too. Took me three of four glances to notice that it's a WRHB (or similarly spaced pickup) in the neck. Really interesting to see Fender gradually leaning back in to their own HB design as time goes on.

They really all look pretty sharp! And, yeah, the WRHB aesthetic is coming back strong. I'm interested to hear how it sounds! I had the standard Squier Offset Tele and the neck pickup was one of the weakest aspects, so I swapped it pretty quickly, but the bridge pickup was decent. Fingers crossed!

[Embenny]

I don't really find these exciting. The regular Offset Teles are routed for a humbucker, and there have been Squier and Fender FSR runs of exactly this guitar.

I'm sure they'll be solid, but they're just kinda...OK.

[sugarandopium]

Sweet water has the red and mocha ones also

[lastactionhero12765]

Sweet water has the red and mocha ones also

It looks like they're currently pre-order only and I'm not sure I want to jump on it before knowing the actual release date or without even hearing a demo. They are listed as "Only at Sweetwater" so I might have to go through them regardless.

[tombm3]

WooHoo! My Dakota Red arrives later today! Keeping fingers crossed that it will be awesome and not just meh

[tombm3]

Well I find that I typically need to play a new guitar a few times before I really get the feel and tone of what a guitar can do. This one is no exception. Fit and finish are excellent. The shape of the neck is very comfortable too. Many Squires feel excessively thin (front to back). This feels like it has a bit more thickness but is probably still thinner than a standard Fender build. The Indian Laurel is smooth and pretty dark too. It's much darker than the pau ferro that I see on many MIM guitars. The bridge is bright and twangy and the neck pickup has more girth to the sound compared to a standard telecaster neck but does get brighter with the twist of the tone knob. The offset styling is great and combined with the familiar tele setup, it's a winner/keeper. The 3-way is functional but will eventually get changed out with a higher quality switch. Same with the output jack. It works but doesn't snap in like a proper switchcraft will.

[MattK]

I saw the pink one in a store window last week, and oh god, how am I going to stop myself from buying it??

[Futuron]

I saw the pink one in a store window last week, and oh god, how am I going to stop myself from buying it??

Strange looking humbucker there

[MattK]

? it's a standard Tele 2 x single coil. Or do you mean the odd reflection in the bridge plate?