Finally! A Cheap Offset Tele... But Is It Good? | 2020 Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster | Review

[@Trog]

Surprisingly, a lot of fun for $399! Which color would you choose? 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/34327855-video-2020-squier-paranormal-offset-telecaster-surf-green?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 🔵eBay: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2380057.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xstratosphere.TRS1%26_nkw%3Dsquier%2Bparanormal%26_sacat%3D0&campid=5338292223&toolid=20008 💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10 ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 🎸New Guitar Day Program: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/ 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211

[@d-mack7053]

What is with the dragon in your logo? How does that come into play?

[@collinklampert5598]

@D-Mack 70 It is a play on Trogdor the Burninator from the old Strongbad show. Watch his video on why his fan group is called the Troglodytes and the story behind his channel for all of the info behind everything

[@the_based_and_trad_protestant]

uhh, it’s only June 2020. i think you meant late 2019

[@rockostar2668]

@@the_based_and_trad_protestant Pretty sure they were planned for this summer's NAMM show which is canceled and so they released them anyway. Trogly was correct with this weeks guitar info...

[@rivalmindss]

Isn’t there three different colors? the natural, surf green, and a walnut color?

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

I like when they route out the body for potential pickups.

[@av.punk.801]

I dont like strats, but when I see a strat with a swimming pool rout, I at least consider. Then I can fit P90s or 'Buckers in there, and get some of my tone as a backup or summin...

[@av.punk.801]

Teles, Jazzmasters and Jaguars tho... I'll take em any day... I just dont like strat bodies...

[@nickchildress8699]

I bought a tele and I was hoping to have it without a pick guard but it had a humbucker Route :(

[@vonicrimson3619]

Same

[@bradmerilic6848]

@@av.punk.801 Really? I actually have an issue with swimming pool routes because I don't like the idea of having that much of my guitar taken away for potentially no reason. Well...you know what I mean...

[@sentientcardboarddumpster7900]

Trog: This guitar came out in late 2020 Me: Checks date

[@kevbob]

(BTW folks reading in the future, that site I posted above is a joke that relates to how time is melting together during the coronavirus pandemic.)

[@point_In_Time]

lol maybe it was late in the day in 2020.

[@ineyevee]

lol I was like... wait what? What year is it again?

[@urwholefamilydied]

LOL.. was thinking the same thing... wonder where/why/how that came from. He obviously has a script/notes, no one noticed that little bit off off info? Also not sure why he's insisting this is an "offset tele"... it looks like a Jaguar bro. There's nothing tele about it except that pickup. Damn, vid is off to a rough start.

[@Uber_Versace]

Holy crap I was right!

[@tylertownsend36]

It's better to have brighter pickups and use the tone control to dial in things where you want them, as opposed to a dark tone you can't move away from. Just impressed they dropped alnico pickups in these at that price point.

[@connormckee4431]

That’s the most midwestern emo guitar I’ve ever seen

[@chickun8696]

Jazzcasters have been getting more and more popular in the midwest emo/mathrock scene recently which I love, great looking guitar imo

[@BarryWarne]

I never knew I needed to know about midwest-emo before ...

[@diegonapoles2469]

Barry Warne KJX ya check it out yet?

[@diegonapoles2469]

Barry Warne KJX if you haven’t, I recommend starting with the bands American football, foxing and marietta

[@marcospintor1333]

It’s perfection

[@dylansidun407]

i ordered this guitar a while ago and it finally came in today, i absolutely love it

[@kevbob]

they must be back ordered, Fender shows the 'notify me when available' button for both colors. I love this thing.

[@echofalls6400]

How is it going with the guitar ?

[@Ryedor]

You said it was very "comfortable" and ... you looked veryyyyyy comfortable ripping on it. Comfort is the most important thing I look for in an instrument. Everything else can be tweeked. Squier has upped their game and you can't argue about the prices.

[@tmtmtmtmtm]

I love this channel but he doesn't necessarily look comfortable playing anything. I feel like I'm watching a 2nd year student on loop. Super knowledgeable, great videos, but the I skip past every demo beyond the first couple chords because he just beats the shit out of it and presses way too hard on the strings.

[@CRUASSANFAN]

exept in Russia, where the prices on Fender guitars are 2x and more

[@EarlofBaltimore]

Released in late 2020? That is paranormal!

[@jubaldurden4638]

Or early 2022... whatever is more confusing.

[@xeicv]

Wishing we had skipped to late 2020 altogether...

[@ThijsLammerse]

Hahaha, good one.

[@alphajames33]

I think the humbucker and middle pickup cavities make this guitar a must for moders. Nice job Fender.

[@Lkease]

The midwest emo / math rock scene about to be buying the shit outta these

[@STAP2011]

true, man

[@isaacthecorncob]

Too true. I'm thinking of getting one, and I play that style

[@Lkease]

@@isaacthecorncob Yeah dude, same. I love my tele but I always wanted a Jazzmaster, this might be the solution

[@ulinuhamachisabilllah1429]

hahaha 100% true

[@zechs5079]

So true haha

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

I'm GASing so haaaard for this - and I'm WAY impressed with Squier. I have a Jazzmaster Deluxe (another $399 guitar, a refinished J Mascis model) and I'm so impressed by it. Great QC and pickups (the P-90 style Jazzmaster pickups that Squier do, that'll also be in the Cabronita). Honestly, holds it own against my American Fender and Gibson. And I've been wanting a Tele and this in Surf Green is just hard to pass up on. Even more impressed with all those routing options!

[@glowstick7453]

were do you get the frickin money to afford all these nice gutars!?

[@kayakchrispy]

Sandra Mcanally job

[@darthgator639]

That says more about the American Fender and Gibson than about the Squier to be honest.

[@richnewman]

From what i've heard in the demo's, the P-90's on the baritone don't have that JM sound. They sound more like the J. Mascis 'hot' P-90's/JM pickups. They sound fantastic and I can't wait to get mine in!

[@estebanb7166]

I also enjoy Squires. I highly recommend mid-price point Ibanez. Incredible quality for the money.

[@martinfrylink4252]

Great review. Just pulled the trigger on a shell pink. Love the tele sound but hate the traditional tele shape. This gives me the sound and look I'm after.

[@fatterroristguy9211]

This guitar was built with emo in mind.

[@sidestyle05]

The additional pickup routes are maybe the most intriguing thing about this guitar. So many mod options!

[@Faulheit]

r/offset is hyped af rn

[@DanishAra]

lul

[@moonchild4806]

Can confirm

[@jakeallison9444]

gang gang

[@gonzaloamartinez]

Oh yes

[@therealone1288]

Cringe

[@scottmacphee35]

That model is really tempting me. Thanks for the review, Austin!

[@scottmacphee35]

@Ben Larson I ended up going with the Toronado instead. Squire is making great guitars!

[@michaelpond6386]

I just finished missing one of these. New locking tuners, I scrapped the pick ups for Fender “drive” pickups, a six saddle bridge, silver and black tooled hardware, Emerson wiring, and pots, a four way switch . There is no shielding in this model so I installed copper shielding to keep the noise down. A set up and it is as nice as my other teles. I love off sets, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, These are so inexpensive and fun to mod. The results are amazing. I’ve got another with a P-90 in the neck and “Quarter pound Tele” pickup in the bridge. Another is a Keith special. So much fun.

[@johnromansky6834]

Watching you review a fender product is like watching a Ford car guy drive a Chevy

[@DaveBizeau]

Keep up the good work, love your show!

[@alanploeger15]

That's my beef with fender necks, or rather the lack thereof! Your reviews are awesome, love your show!

[@Tunkkis]

Good thing is, you can change them out. Or perhaps even build a partscaster from the ground up.

[@BryceWayne]

May have to pick one of these up to give it a try. Please do a review on that new baritone too!!! Would be fun. Lastly, let’s all chip in and get our guy a tuner so we can hear these things played in tune for once;)

[@ronnieDshman18]

I have to say your playing has really improved, nice work

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Great video! I've always been very impressed by the quality of Squier instruments for the price, its crazy what you can get for the price. I'd love to see some roasted maple necks or full-rosewood neck USA Fender's on the show soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thseed7]

Love the fun stuff Fender does in their budget Squier/Mexican lines. Epiphone has made solid quality improvements for the Inspired by range, now I'd love to see some of their unique stuff too. Really good time to be a guitar player🤘

[@SB-uf4yw]

These play remarkably well. Funny he mentioned the neck, because that was my only real complaint; it feels sorta like a toy, definitely closer to the nut. The only thing that kept me from buying one is the fact that I have a tele at home. Otherwise, it plays/sounds much better than you’d think.

[@Balouthegreat]

I’m getting my girlfriend this model with the shell pink… so stoked for when she opens it 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@selbino]

Can’t quite beat that Telecaster sound. Nice review 👍🏻

[@davlddemarest2626]

One of your best demos, you rock brother!!

[@guitarman11000]

Looks great, but a little 'thin' sounding to me. A bridge upgrade might help that.

[@lenny9837]

squiers are the most amazing value u really cannot go wrong, even my affinity tele is such an amazing instrument with some beautiful wood grain and i even lucked out with some figuring in the neck

[@dashrando7892]

I just found an affinity strat at a yard sale for 50 bucks and after cleaning it up I'm really impressed. It's white with a slightly offwhite pick guard from the year 2000. Reminds me of the jimi hendrix white on white strat. I'm a squier believer now.

[@rorysteele9884]

You should get a Gibson Byrd land for an unbox and review love your videos man keep up the great work

[@krauz111]

Sounds like the mic was put too close to the center of the speaker cone

[@Anon530-o2g]

definitely

[@livefromadive6751]

I get the feeling that Trogly's amp and recording set up is optimized for Gibson, and primarily humbuckers. So a fender plugged in to that system with no tweaking is gonna come off more shrill.

[@dezscott46]

Sorry say again i cant hear you

[@dongonzulman6478]

Oh sweet! Man I want one of these!

[@TimmyJoePCTech]

Late 2020

[@daleb72]

🤔

[@griffox]

Feels that way, don't it.

[@lightningmcqueengaming7547]

Damn crazy seeing you here

[@brandonkoch3852]

I think that guitar suits you.you looked like you were having fun playing it.middle position all day.had some nice texas twang going on.loved the playing demo!turn the tone down to get less glass.and yes boost the bass on the amp.

[@GekoPish]

Squier for the last 5 - 6 years have really excelled in excellence. Even the Cork sniffing American Fender Fans love them.

[@davidburne9477]

I have a 1992 Japanese (MIJ) Fender Tele which has been my go-to daily player. Last year I bought a red 2019 Squier Starcaster, with dual wide-range humbuckers and 1 tone, 1 volume. Hollow body with centre block. I love it! Great single piece skunk-stripe neck with figured maple - great grain around fret 3-5 and 12-15. Super flat profile compared to my Tele. Pickups really are wide range, going from twangy surf sounds at low volume setting to full-on overdriven growl at higher volumes, with really nice controllable sustain. At AU$650 from my local store (Global Music Revolution) it was a bargain, and is now the daily player. I run it through either a ValveTone 25W Jasper tube amp into a small 8” cab, for really bluesy stuff with great breakup, or a stereo 75W per channel (150W) Line6 Spider MkIV into a 2x10” cab. Either way it sounds great.

[@Rowsdow3r]

Just watching those pics from the start of the vid and I was shocked to see a tenor Telecaster. You gotta cover that!

[@FalonKenobii]

The way the green screen made it look sonic blue during the playing demo was so nice!!!!

[@joebiondo6898]

Trog, your playing is improving by leaps and bounds!

[@natesharlette]

Oooohhhhh I like it a lot, I love the offsets and I really want a tele, so maybe I could try one of these out sometime

[@SkateSwitch111]

First time coming across you channel, great review! I just order one a this evening, because I like the shape and vibe, plan to modify ect.. but really thanks for the review, awesome how you broke things down, hard ware break down, put it to the multimeter! I was very impressed by your playing demo, love that some kept it simple and changed pickups and gain, very useful!

[@gilavarmedic]

Probably one of the best reviews I have seen great 😊

[@CitizenofMelee]

Cool, I kinda like it. And I agree, I like how easily customizable the guitar is.

[@jessiecurl1843]

Your playing has improved since your early videos. Keep it up.

[@tristinsean7222]

i’ve never been this early lol. just wanted to let you know i LOVE watching your vids. :)

[@grayaj23]

I recently bought a Classic Vibe Starcaster and am super impressed at the quality of construction overall. I know that's different from the Paranormal line, but the frets are super smooth and not scratchy at all. The one gripe -- that took a while to really be noticeable -- is the nut. It looks great, but #1 and #2 strings, played open, have a sitar-like ring to them that I can't get rid of. The sound is apparent in the signal, so it's not simply an acoustic problem in an otherwise clean guitar sound. I'm 3 for 3 now with questionable nuts on low-end guitars. That said, the SC is my first Fender product and I'm impressed overall.

[@aidanmullen8873]

I have one of these put flatwounds on it tames that insane high end on the bridge and sounds like classic tele xxx

[@juangi_mx6774]

It looks great! but it sounds SUUUPER Bright, i didnt like the sound, but it looks great, squier has pretty good guitars, and somebody would like it, if you like it, go and get one, im shure you will like it

[@ZackRamsey14]

I dig the idea but the gloss neck would make me never want to get one unfortunately. Not too excited about the thin neck either..

[@tribeofnames6189]

A magnificent deep dive as always and a very thoughtful review. I purchased one as a result. Many thanks.

[@megatyaesree]

Now... this is my new fav youtube channel.

[@Anjohl]

These things *all* look amazing! Love the idea of the series!

[@garymcaleer6112]

Sam Ash just sent me an Arctic White Squire Tele @ $199. delivered. Once tuned up and the string spools were tight, a beautiful & clear lyrical tone. Not being a fan of distortion, the lower output p/ups are lower distortion than high-grade fender p/ups. Although not as robust in tone, w/a little EQ I can listen to the Squire all day.

[@florencefaulkner782]

I'm picturing this with a tortoise pickguard...

[@philipm06]

White doesn't really do it - needs to be black or tortoise as suggested.

[@lightningmcqueengaming7547]

Since it seems like you’re open to doing reviews of the Squier paranormal series now, it would make my day if you ever got around to doing a video on the Toronado. There’s almost no reviews of online, and you have my absolute favorite review format and style of any guitar KZbinr out there at the moment.

[@trevinbracken2889]

I would honestly buy the tornado if everything I have in my Collection wasn't Humbucker. Great high output Humbuckers that sound so amazing with overdrive/distortion. But I'm dying for a SS Telecaster. I have an HH telecaster and I love the Tele vibe, hate the Tele body. Always wanted a jaguar. Here's my chance to kill two birds with one stone. I wish I could afford one so bad. Money's tight ,kids and family come first.

[@RebeccaHindle]

I tried this today in the shop I liked it not a fan of glossy neck or the extra shiny fretnoard but it sounded nice in all the pickups very comfortable. I just decided to go with the Fender made in Mexico telecaster instead in my opinion the made in Mexico is easier to play

[@jeffleecust]

You can always tell that you like a guitar by your play though. You don’t bust out the looper for guitars you don’t like.

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@justarandomyoutubeuser5074]

The shape is offsetting for me I dig it

[@johnhenfrey5936]

I own a Squier Telecaster Pro tone series guitar, and to be honest I absolutely love it, I would never sell it. Thanks for the vlog Austin.

[@leinadatidumarp]

With the body routing, it's almost my dream guitar..I might make it a whole big cave though, to put anything else other than single coil pickup in the middle.. But that slim neck.. it's really letting me down..

[@joermnyc]

Niels8 it’s called the swimming pool rout, because it’s basically a big box cut into the body like an in ground pool in your yard.

[@gavincamp150]

With that price, get a thicker Mexican Fender neck for about $200-something. Still cheaper than a Fender.

[@leinadatidumarp]

@@joermnyc thanks for the info

[@RickRomanelli]

Telecasters are clunky? You're clunky. Nice review. Sounds like a Fender, beautiful.

[@ibbypanch2573]

No more government subsidies for clunky teles

[@SvenArnvic]

1. New Squiers ALWAYS have a nick somewhere....but hey they're friggen cheap....at least they're not selling plywood anymore like my '92Fender Squier (made when the Squier logo was tiny and The Fender logo was prominent) Strat which was supposed to be (according to Fender's adverts) solid poplar. 2. No case candy? WTF? 3. Before new pickups, perhaps a Varitone or even a full on custom wired plate. I replaced the p-ups in my Squier VM Jag bass with a SD P/J quarter pounder set, but they didn't have the impact that replacing the control plate with a custom unit that has series/parallel neck and bridge p-up switching, 250k pots, treble bleeds on both volumes and a 12-way Varitone which ended up only costing me a whole $80 and change to have made. 4. Jack location is identical to the VM Jag, which was relocated by Squier because the "bass boost" knob occupies the plate hole that the jack would usually go in.

[@seanriffle6324]

Glad to see that you've gotten one. I ordered the baritone paranormal and it still hasn't arrived. Will you be doing a video on one.

[@mygad]

Love that shape. Great price. Great complete review.

[@therealone1288]

i believe the mint green is actually poplar, whereas the natural finish is 'okoume'

[@laussethecat]

Isn't okoume an exotic wood used on some custom shop artisan guitars? I'm surprised to see it on this squier

[@bohdankhmelnytsky9369]

@@laussethecat no its not exotic. Its a cheap replacement for mahogany the same way rosewood fretboards are replace with cheaper alternatives like laurel.

[@hkguitar1984]

Great review, thank you Austin (love the Surf Green).

[@estycapito]

This guitar looks so Nice a beautiful! It's like The Holy Grail of Midwest emo and Math rock, love it!

[@archer4556]

Funny that your reviewing a Squire, I was looking at a Squire Classic Vibe 60's custom double bound Tele just yesterday and I was somewhat impressed with overall built and quality. Might want to take a look at that one.

[@USMC0332]

Great sound and I enjoyed your playing! Very tasteful!

[@gerrypair3856]

I have one and love it. I have small hands and I have no problems playing bar chords on it. Plays great.

[@chrishopkins209]

I love it when it’s stiff and satisfying

[@edizzle445]

I love how this one sounds. It has that perfect amount of grit

[@jackroberts399]

Hoping for a player series with different finishes.

[@iagobroxado]

I bet the neck on this one is exactly like my Classic Vibe 50's Strat: .85 at 1st fret, .90 at 12th - so you think "well, that's quite average for a modern Fender style neck - or even thicker than some" but then no, because the issue is that they get skinnier by the 3rd fret - the 5th fret position probably being the skinniest part of the neck - and then it starts increasing back in girth until it hits that .90 at the 12th. I felt this was quite annoying but got used to it. Still not my favorite neck, though.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@IrisGalaxis Hard Maple, not likely to break at all.

[@SvenArnvic]

@@IrisGalaxis Fender/Squier Necks are virtually indestructible! I smashed a Squier Strat on an amp....damaged the amp, broke the neck joint off of the body, but did nothing to the neck itself...ended up using the same neck on two more guitars as it was easier to remove the new Strats' necks and bolt my old one on than to file the nut and frets and dial in the new necks to how I like mine set up.

[@guitarlovers1]

I'm getting one...I was surprised to hear about the okoume body...I assumed it would be basswood or alder but it's cool because it yields a slightly warmer sound...

[@fertirado3236]

Everything GREAT, but that DISTORTION TONE is Killin’ me ! Would appreciate advice on my videos (music)

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Body style reminds me of an Ibanez Talman. Talman has the more rounded neck. More girth. Great demo. Thank you.

[@chadgraziano5827]

Reminds me of my 2017 Seafoam Ibanez Talman. Looks so similar I'm curious to see which sounds better. The Talman was also $399.

[@the_nondrive_side]

Jazzmaster neck pickup would have been a best of both combo if RWRP to the Tele bridge pup

[@ezcondition]

it's funny how great Squier necks feel. they feel better after years of playing too. almost a signature feature.

[@Chrono205]

I can't stop thinking about this guitar. love it

[@davidtexmex1616]

That control plate is odd, the tone & volume pots are very close together

[@LowEndLobster]

Great vid! I have one of the Paranormal Jazz basses coming my way that I'll be reviewing. The Okoume wood is pronounced "A-koh-mah", kind of like Toyota Tacoma without the T... had to look it up when I did a vid on my Talman TMB505 with the same body material.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

I wonder how many people will buy them, resell neck and HW from it, put on some Fender neck and good hi end HW and rock it like that. If I see one used for sale I will go for it.

[@powbobs]

Marshallbluesrock Raises hand.

[@michaelhelgeson6625]

Trogly your a gem 💎 such an informative fellow.. hope you can do all of the paranormal series 😷

[@shreyanukil8520]

What annoys me is the fact that there are so many great guitars out there but even their most economic versions are so expensive. I saved up for so long to be able to afford a squier bullet which I'm totally satisfied with but because I got a cheap amp along with it and can't spend or save up on pedals or multifx processors I'm stuck with just a clean tonal option to play with. I even know people who settle for cheap acoustic guitars to learn music cause they can't afford the instruments they want to play. Wish these stuff were available for a lower price.

[@obornes]

got one because of this video. i have had high and fenders before so this one surprised me. i't's just a great feeling, quality Instrument and sounds much better than austin managed to get out of it. if this is squirer's current quality standard, it baffles me

[@smerglederf3494]

thank you for this tele video troggy :)

[@Connor12596]

The neck on mine ended up being super flamed, I adore it

[@FilmFlam]

Two years after the fact but, great in depth review.

[@Mark_Ocain]

Love to see a Toronado review if you get your hands on one. One criticism was that the humbuckers were microphonic, I'm hoping that they at least potted the pickups properly.

[@serfillustrated4018]

I desperately want a Squire Meteora HH.

[@MitchellMozdzen]

Love the look of this guitar. I agree with it sounding shill. I would leave the volume pot at 9 or move the mic a little further from the middle of the speaker cone.

[@douevendjent3125]

I want one of these my 2007 squire thinline has been out of commission for a while. I would love to put dimarzios in that.

[@Mark_Ocain]

I have a Squire Toronado and it's well made. The neck is slim and a little whippy as well, you can do a faux 'trem' move pretty easily by pushing the neck only a little. Plays well but needs a proper setup to secure it's tuning more.

[@classicrocker91]

Man this thing is cool, I hope they aren’t all gone by the time I can get one

[@ColonelForkEyes]

This would look totally badass with a 50's 'ashtray' style bridge cover

[@randomstuffwiththerosases1891]

Hey, trogly, would you please do a guide on trading/selling to a guitar store? I don’t think you already did that. Thank you!

[@davidfrantz3473]

You'll get the most in a private sale through Craigslist etc. You'll get a bit less through Reverb or Ebay because they'll take a 3% fee for using their service. You'll also take a hit from Paypal or whatever payment method the buyer uses, credit card, Affirm, etc. Then you need to factor in packing and shipping. Did you roll that into the advertised sale price or is that extra? Retail costs of shipping a guitar across the USA is around $100. If you don't already have a box that's going to be around $15 at FedEx or $30 at UPS. A roll of bubble wrap may be $20. If you use Reverb to sell, you can buy the shipping label through them and depending on the weight shipping will be anywhere from $50-75. You'll get the least from selling to a store. Guitar Center, for example, will give you something like 50-60% of what they think they can sell it for. You'll get a bit more trading in, but that's in a discount on what you're buying that day. like jacktheripped said, use the Reverb.com price guide to get an idea of what things are actually selling for and price accordingly.

[@randomstuffwiththerosases1891]

Thanks, man!