I've Never Played a Jazzmaster Like This! | 2023 Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII 12 String Review

[@Trog]

What Song Would You Play on a Distorted 12-String? 🍭Shop Sweetwater Paranormal Series + Support the Show ➡sweetwater.sjv.io/0Zx93L 🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🐕 Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/

[@jackiedaytona9625]

Lifeless Dead by Mad Season!

[@gingerbeer914]

Mr. Tambourine Man in the version of The Byrds, of course!

[@aranyawaasii]

reasonably sure i hear a lot of nice distorted 12string on Tom Verlaine's "Dreamtime" album from 1981.

[@praketingrichraft6181]

Living Loving Maid

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Personally think distortion makes a 12-string sound like a 6, might as well not even be playing 12. I would play 6 string through distortion, then layer a cleaner 12 over the top

[@0000song0000]

I love the fact they are turning Squier into the line of " *weird stuff we would like to do* , but they would sit for YEARS at retailers' if we did it on USA line"

[@raidzeromatt]

Exactly I'd love a Rickenbacker, but I can't justify 3grand for something I want to "try out" lol

[@hoilst265]

I honestly think that Squier's turning out way more interesting stuff than Fender proper. Fender's trading more and more off signature stuff, or era-specific repros. Yeah, there's still the high-end player's guitar that *has* to have Fender on the headstock and made in USA (or Mexico, or Japan).

[@DK-jg5vk]

The potential of a 12 string Jazzmaster is endless. This will become one of those coveted classics.

[@sonnyfausel4386]

Too bad it's missing a rhythm circuit.

[@hoilst265]

This is definitely gonna be one of those guitars ultimate-guitar or guitar world does a "What the hell was the axe they used on this song?" article on in twenty years' time.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

@@sonnyfausel4386if it had a rhythm circuit people would complain it’s too complicated. I agree with you. But y’know.

[@Tcflohr]

I got the esquire deluxe the second they went on sale. I got it without seeing any reviews, and I was seriously impressed by it. The frets were great, not a single sharp fret end. The setup was perfect. It shipped from Corona California, I live maybe an hour away. Maybe they set it up before it shipped out, but it showed up almost in tune and perfect.

[@derpdorf7054]

Sounds like that baby was meant for you brutha! Ive got to enjoy that feeling once where your just completely happy with everything about it... I was also looking at the esquire deluxe.. Now i definitely want one !

[@thethesaxman23]

Holy crap!!! That chime you get on the middle position at 9:31 is just immaculate!!!! A classic Rick 360/12 is still my first choice, but this baby is my new affordable runner up!

[@DomagojSkiljan]

yeah, I also feel that the middle position sounds very good!

[@hawaiianrobot]

the middle position is so goddamn good for the 12 sting sound

[@littlemac844]

Trogly's guitar playing has improved so much over the years. I've watched for the past 4 years and it's cool to see how much better he has gotten.

[@hudsonvasconcelos3237]

I was about to say the same

[@gazzy_burns]

Cleaner than a 7k gibson 🤣

[@Wargasm54]

You’d never know. Now get back to playing your gay uncles Epiphone clown.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

Unfortunately ...for Gibson, that is

[@DetroitFettyghost]

I miss when Gibson was Gibson. Now it's just a "Logo n Name"- They just ain't what they used to be.

[@martyshwaartz971]

This but unironically. It’s probably cleaner than a 2k fender too!

[@DetroitFettyghost]

@@martyshwaartz971 LOL THATS A FACT.

[@alexanderball6326]

I have the Toronado and the Offset Tele from the first Paranormal run. I thought i was guitar satisfied until i saw that 12 st ring Jazzmaster, the Esquire Deluxe Tele and the Nashville Strat. I think these Paranormal guitars are so cool and really making Squier an exciting brand

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Nice!

[@brianritchie8920]

I’ve had mine for a couple of weeks and love it. Very good for the price point. And the frets are well dressed. Would recommend

[@brianritchie8920]

@@caiusmadison2996 that would be an interesting take too. I dig the idea

[@brianritchie8920]

@@Dogdickdale maybe so. But it holds its own against my American telecaster, les paul, and Japanese Gretsch.

[@brianritchie8920]

Maybe “holds its own” isn’t the right phrase. But it has a place with them and it fills a niche that most people don’t want to throw a couple grand at. We’ll see how it ages. But I have high hopes

[@johnhennessey5]

How did you even get it when most stores don’t have it in stock? Why the obvious lie

[@Dogdickdale]

@@johnhennessey5 George santos has like 5 of them. I’m not sure why you would lie about having a squire. It’s like lying about having a Kia.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

12 strings are cool if you’ve got the patience to tune one. If you double track a 12 string over your 6 string track, you can create a monstrous sound. Check out Van Halen’s Poundcake.

[@marions.120]

Try changing strings on a double neck, notes that’s a pain. Finally got rid of mine after 20 years!

[@editorjuno]

Ditto a 12-string through a chorus pedal!

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

@@editorjuno I gotta get myself a 12 string, that sounds lovely.

[@timaves1504]

A very logical choice of body style, since the original Fender Electric Xll has a very similar offset body. Sounds absolutely fabulous. I have a Revelation electric Xll which is broadly similar - offset body and soapbar style pickup, but with a straight headstock. That hockey stick is just so cool though. I want one!

[@crazylegslife]

I owned a 1968 fender villager 12 string acoustic, it had an electric guitar neck on an acoustic body with the exact same headstock as this jazzmaster. I think it was called a Gumby headstock.

[@dreibel]

I was pretty excited to hear that a 12-string Jazzmaster was coming out, and from what I see it shouldn't disappoint. This may be the best budget 12-string since the Danelectro DC59-12 (one of which I own). The one thing I would do to the JM-12 would be to give it a thorough shielding with paint or copper tape. That's one thing Fender shouldn't have scrimped on, especially with a single-coil instrument. Now I need to hear what this sounds like when run through a JangleBox or Byrdbox compressor unit (for that chimey Roger McGuinn sound).

[@famachris]

This is inspired by the Fender XII which was the first electric 12 string designed as such from inception. All other 12 strings in the mid 60s were adaptations of 6 string models, most notably Rickenbacker. No other 12 string offered the ability to intonate each string, they were bundled Tele style. Obviously, a wound E string and an unwound would have different saddle positions. The bridge on this replicates that Leo innovation. If you like writing songs, nothing pushes you into new ideas like a 12 string.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Thr bridge on this one looks near identical to the one on my Danelectro 12 string.

[@jfinester]

I believe it’s a Gotoh bridge. I’ve got a Danelectro DC-12 with the same bridge, as well as a Fender Alternate Reality Electric XII with one. Best 12-string bridge I’ve seen.

[@jfinester]

Thanks for reviewing this model! I already have a Fender Electric XII-a Mexican-made one from the 2019 limited run. It has the split pickups like the mid-‘60s original and the same bridge as the Jazzmaster XII. (I think it’s a Gotoh bridge). This one in the review doesn’t sound as good as my Fender in the bridge position-it’s too hot with too much midrange, just what you don’t want on a 12-string! The neck pickup sounds pretty good. This thing is nearly half the price mine was, but if you factor in the cost of a new bridge pickup and better tuners, it comes up some. And Fender’s still not offering a case-mine came with a badly-fitting bass gigbag, and I finally found a Crossrock Jazzmaster hardshell that actually fits the 12-string headstock. A regular Jazzmaster case is too short. Amazon carries Crossrock cases-that’s where I got mine.

[@paulraider2001]

I have the Paranormal Tele Baritone that I bought for the reason you said. I wanted to try it out and didn't want to invest until I was sure. But instead of buying a more expensive model, I have just been upgrading the one I have. New Fender brand tuners make a huge difference and currently it is on the work bench getting upgraded to mini-humbuckers.

[@BrentAdams]

12 String Electrics are so inspiring. I got one about a year ago....a Semi Hollow which adds even more to the "Jangle" goodness. (I found a great deal on a used Eastwood Classic 12. Love it!)

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Awesome. Love your choice of riffs for the sound demo, not what people would expect for a 12 string electric :) 🤘

[@fry9700]

The Stratosonic from this series is awesome.

[@RsSquier51]

I ordered the blonde model.

[@pabloruiz1982]

I want one I blonde

[@AlexGroen]

Nice video! 02:45 See the bar magnet under the foam? That's not a Jazzmaster pickup, but a p90 sadly. Jazzmaster pickups has magnetic polepieces and no bar magnet.

[@Kahuna54]

I have a Carvin AE185 12 string the plays like butter! Love it dearly!

[@grantlong9279]

Holy cow! With a little distortion that sounds awesome. Love the hockey stick headstock, so cool. I'll definitely check one of these out, let's just say I'm offset curious.

[@jasperdsmith]

Ready for hotel California!

[@clarkbabin9799]

A few years ago I bought a Jaguar paranormal orange with rally stripes across the elbow relief. It's hard tail with similar pickups . Wasn't to pricey and actually a good player. Well worth the money spent and didn't break the bank.

[@ericbgordon1575]

This would definitely be good for me in that I have been playing guitar since 1995 and (as of 2023) have never had a 12-string electric but have also been attempting to overcome gear acquisition syndrome during this calendar year. If I thought I could part with any of the guitars that I currently own and swap it out for this Paranormal model, I'd make it happen. The notion of the alternating stream Direction at the bridge puts me in mind of the Rickenbacker 360 / 12 and how its strings make contact with the headstock. Customarily, every echo string goes into a separate machine head deep in the headstock.

[@Rotceh-r4g]

Nice review. I'm particularly impressed by the distortion tones of the 12 string. Squier Fender continues to impress.

[@beachcomber4141]

Was JUST looking at one of these. You kinda pushed me over the edge for this one!! Very cool for a budget guitar

[@joermnyc]

Someone on a forum figured out there are alternate 3rd colors for all of this years paranormal, but they are not available in the USA. Can’t remember exactly, but the Stratosonic was blue, a few were fiesta red, and I think one was shell pink. Edit: I’m wondering if those oddly branded pots are 250k ohms and not the Jazzmaster 1Meg ohm.

[@ereimul1444]

really enjoyed the parallel and paranormal series. those squier jazzmaster sound good for that price.

[@nickdemayo8209]

I received mine (Olympic White w/ tort pickguard) that same day that you posted! I'm super surprised of how well the fit and finish is on a guitar of this price. I am actively researching aftermarket tuners. lol! Overall, really pleased with my purchase. Thanks for the vid!

[@fredrobinson6733]

Me too. It's not easy is it!!! I've gone for Gotoh SD91 Locking Trads. But I think I'll need to ream the holes to 8.8mm (from 7.8mm). What are you thinking??

[@retropeanutlad]

Any updates on the tuner upgrade? It is indeed quite a headache to find drop-ins for this model!

[@johnhutton9105]

I’ve got mine on order. It’s getting a sustainer put in it ❤️

[@dirtydanthesecretsauceman8519]

Sustainer in a 12 string? So crazy it just might work

[@NickZingo]

That’s sick. What sustainer are you putting in it?

[@johnhutton9105]

@@NickZingo got a couple on order from Veyz. 👍😁

[@georgecaplan11]

i finally received mine after a 6 month wait and i was not disappointed. maybe i was lucky but the quality of this Squier is equal to American Fender. i wanted a 12 string electric but couldnt justify a Rickenbacher. This Squier seems like exceptional value for the price.

[@nealhathaway2004]

I have a Boca 12 by Dean. 12 string electrics really vary in sounds. My Boca's pickups are way to hot humbuckers. Ricks have a polished clean sound, like they made them clean, and then polished it to a cleany clean.

[@primoroy]

I've got a 1997 MIJ 12 string Strat. Would love one of these.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

The bridge design is very clever.

[@Kahuna54]

I must say it’s pretty cool especially at this price point!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

When I think 12 string I think Rickenbacker all bright and chimey. They should have put in Jaguar PU's which are bright and chimey. What's more the Jag shares the same body style so it would not be out of place.

[@lumpytapioca5062]

At around 9:40, it sounds like Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air". Pete Townshend produced and played on that record and he still has his Fender XXI that's all over Tommy. Liked it enough not to do that thing he often did. Very much not a Rickenbacker sound.

[@hifibrony]

An electric 12 has been on my bucket list for 40 years. I think I just found mine.

[@trainsurfer7593]

Same! I pre-ordered one and should get it around the beginning of July (am in the UK).

[@erikkorhonen]

the stratosonic has a epiphone branded bridge ,one of the other youtubers noticed

[@troybaker1099]

I love it when you review squiers and Epiphones!

[@deebojones]

I bought one of these, I've been wanting it ever since the 2023 Paranormal series pictures leaked. Best and easiest $449 I've ever spent on a guitar. I actually have 2 double necks, but they are so bulky that it's tough to break them out all of the time, whereas with this, I can pick it up easily whenever I want to play it. What I didn't count on was the incredible quality this thing has at this price point - it feels like a US made Fender not a Chinese Squier! I also bought the Lake Placid Blue which looks incredible! Literally the only complaint I have is that the bridge pickup sound very very thin. But the other 2 settings are the most perfect settings for an electric 12 string that I've ever heard so it more than makes up for it. Also this gloss neck feels so solid. I might end up buying a couple more of these lol.

[@lizardhayes]

It might be cool to take a grinder to the bridge so you can attach the top loading strings to a bigsby or something.

[@vonroretz3307]

Would like a review of the recent Gold foil jazzmaster

[@fuzzboi2712]

I second this!

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

I wanted one as soon as I saw one. Lake Placid Blue, please...

[@ohmtronseedling]

i bought a Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster and i could not possibly be happier with the playability and overall quality. from just out the box it needed a few screws tightened, the bridge saddles needed a slight centering adjustment but otherwise it is a wonderful guitar. i'm surely hoping that these are of comparable quality.

[@prisonmike4971]

The esquire is hands down my favorite. Mine came entirely set up from intonnation to action to the solidity of the toggle (checken head switch), and you truly dont miss the neck position pickups. The hums get it done propper. I just recommend changing the tuners to grover...that's about it.

[@lindahartman4543]

The Fender XiI neck on my late 60's Villager. Leo Fender called the model the only mistake he made. Loved the way that neck played but they weren't the most stable acoustics. It was always in need of adjustments and improvements of all sorts.

[@jasperdsmith]

Thanks!

[@Trog]

You bet!

[@idan_klein]

What's the name of the tune in 10:00? sounds amazing!

[@60soldies47]

Purchased one last week. Upon receiving the guitar, I noticed the strings were severely out of tune and the low E strings buzzed. One of the frets was damaged. It's on its way back to the manufacturer. I find it difficult to believe that this guitar was actually shipped out after being inspected-if it was inspected at all. Hopefully anyone purchasing one has better luck than I did.

[@mpactdesignmedia]

10:01 - Woohoo! One of my all time fave Mega tunes! Great choice!!

[@Farewelltokingz]

It’s Metallica

[@grahamnunn8998]

I got one of the Paranormal XII a few years ago, amazing guitar that I gig with regularly. It has a similar bridge which I also had on my Pacifica 12 string. Not as coolest the original but a damn site cheaper than 12 individual saddles! They also used a 3 way toggle but like a lot of people I swapped it for a 4 way rotary.

[@presmasterflash7555]

How cool would it be to have the regular string set on the vibrato and the harmonic strings stationary? I wonder what that would sound like

[@marcraygun6290]

My friend did it on a tele kit , sounds really cool

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@marcraygun6290 now I have to get a 12 string with a wang jangler to try it myself!

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@marcraygun6290 cool name btw

[@marcraygun6290]

@@presmasterflash7555 you won't regret it ,he also got a bigsby and drilled more holes to allow 12 string action which sounds great, just like that bit on the killing moon

[@danhedonia]

Recently received one as well - the string tension is quite high. I'm going to immediately need to change strings. Nut wasn't great on mine; seems about typical for MIC guitars. I agree completely it 'doesn't sound like a Jazzmaster.' I'd add the observation that there is a strong shift among a lot of newer players to emphasize body shape over the traditional sounds associated with those shapes. And God bless you for throwing a little Priest in there ("Electric Eye").

[@Scottuz]

If you wanted the model with the full Fender tremelo, and the extra switches up top of the pickguard, then you should have taken a look at the Classic vibe series? they do, the full fat, Fender Spec model, for the same price, also the 40th Anniversary edition comes with the Square Fretboard inlays, and some FSR colours

[@mikefusco9248]

Played one at GC in Hollywood- pretty nice! I own a 620/12 and a 330/12 Ric, so I don’t really need one. But I think a 12 string should be in every collection and this would do the trick for everyone

[@John-d9e4x]

Had the Ric, didn't like the reverse course set up but mainly, the narrow neck was not good fo 7:21 r my thick fingers. Bought this, though it has its own peculiar sound, the action was far better for me.

[@TheRealChrisLopez]

Would be cool to rout out and install a Jazzmaster vibrato that would only affect the octave strings.

[@russellzauner]

Impressed that it's poplar instead of basswood. It sounds really nice unplugged there, nice and sustainy instead of dead-ish.

[@steveparish9210]

Sounds and looks great 450 bucks! What a deal!

[@ice9snowflake187]

I haven't seen anyone mentioning this yet- probably because folks aren't particularly knowledgeable about Jazzmasters and their pickups, but the pickups on this 12-string appear to be ceramic magnet pickups with two big magnets underneath the bobbin touching the pole-pieces. They're really a Jazzmaster-shaped p-90.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Love the sound of 12 strings, fun to play though there's limitations. I'm too lazy for restringing a 6 string let alone a 12 string, and this Paranormal JM bridge looks way more fiddly for restringing than an acoustic bridge. But even so, for a budget 12 string electric this looks and sounds awesome and I'd snap one up if I had some room for more guitars.

[@ralphnothhelfer9086]

I love my Squire, rock solid neck..lo action..I popped for a Fender Precision bass hard shell case to keep her safe. Future collectible

[@marquitust2874]

If I reverse the bridge humbucker of any guitar for the out of pgase sound of the middle position, will the sound of the brigde position change?

[@ChicagoRob2]

Man, that thing sounds nice. So pure.

[@johnbowman657]

When you flip it around at the end, the shape looks a bit like a Firebird. Would be great if they did it that way round.

[@bldallas]

I bought one of these 12 strings, just like that one, and I LOVE it. Can’t put it down. Amazing fit, finish, setup, etc. Such a killer guitar! Squire is crushing it, these days. Their CVs are amazing, too!

[@richardgleichmann7671]

I don't know how good these are.. But a friend of mine had an original.('59 to '63.. tobacco sunburst). with the split pickups and the 5 way switch.. The action, neck profile, fretboard, and tone were like no 12 string I had ever played before.. It was perfect.. I liked it better than a Rick-o 12.. It was AMAZING..🎶❣️👍 There is a Jonny Winter vid on YT.. (hey little school girl, or be careful with a fool.., or some such song..).. where he is playing one.. but he only has 6 strings on it.. Of course it sounds great..!!!

[@yeetus7285]

i saw that in public it was pretty cool

[@giammydontsurf]

Great video! Song at 10:00 ?

[@robbysguitars8223]

We're only missing a little something from the Byrds.

[@djdusk5050]

Solid review and great editing. Can't wait to try one of these in person.

[@Return2TheLiving]

I’d love for squire to release this as a normal 6 string in this color, hard tail and all.

[@Trog]

You can always just string half it up! (Or saw half the headstock off if it isn’t your style)

[@thomasluther9211]

Can anyone please tell me if squier ever used alder Wood in their stratocasters or any of their guitars.. because I've heard conflicting opinions about this if you can shed any light on this please do

[@zerosiii]

whats the song at 10:00? diablo?

[@Trog]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aae2eWymgt97o5I&pp=ygUFa3R1bHU%3D

[@TootEmCarMan]

Rattling tuners can easily be fixed by packing them with thick grease. I have done so on 5 guitars and none of them has rattled since.

[@instantcharlie1225]

I play a lot of Folk Rock, I can't wait to try one of these! I wish Fender would reissue/ create some other wacky instruments like re-release their electric mandolin or make an electric banjo (preferably with Squier variants too).

[@ousley421]

Austin, strangely I have used some of your demo material for crating some jams. Thanks

[@ethanhitchcock5431]

Knee-toe, that'de be fun to experiment with, I'de rather save for a RICK 12 myself , and I also want a 6-string Jazzmaster , I love the ' Telemaster ' style guitars ( Jazzmaster body with Tele pickup set-up ), oh so many options !...Thanks Trogly !!

[@ptk4476]

I am yet to encounter one to try here in Australia, as with the Dano 12 string I am leaning towards you almost have to order one to try they are that scarce. Reviews and specs of the Squier allude to the 42mm nut width, seems too narrow for a 12 string, let alone anyone with medium to large hands. Can anyone here add to this?

[@martinclayton7260]

I really want one of the Fender USA Stratosonic's, but with humbuckers, and in red.

[@JimiJackActual]

The call of Ktulu??? 😲😲❤️❤️

[@preston_4824]

11:39 That was so beautiful sounding

[@soulagent79]

2:48 These are not Alnico magnets. Probably ceramic magnet bars with metal slug pole pieces.

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

those little green capacitors have such an iconic and unique and unreplicatable sound

[@ryanheard]

12kOhm single coil. They must've been terrified it'd be too bright. (this is also why you said it sounds like a humbucker... the resonant peak is MUCH lower on the bridge).

[@christopheraaron8299]

I'm very interested in the Stratosonic. It's basically Squier's version of the Epiphone Les Paul Special P-90.

[@nik1954]

What is the weight? Rattleling machine heads???

[@fredrobinson6733]

Hi, do you happen to know the diameter of the tuning posts? Is it 6mm or 6.35mm? Thanks.

[@fredrobinson6733]

I found out, they're 6mm.

[@chickenjedi]

Pretty cool! Looks like it could be a lot of fun to play!

[@mikeherrmann5360]

I had the 12 Strat Japan made . Find 1 of those & crank it up. I loved that thing

[@hikupmusicofficial]

i saw in a video stratosonic one has an epiphone bridge dont know if it was real or a troll but you should do a video on it

[@sunnyninya1465]

what is the song called in 10:00

[@Farewelltokingz]

Call of Ktulu - Metallica

[@RussBMCSGT]

I can’t believe you didn’t do the chord progression for Fade to Black! Probably one of the most iconic 12 string progressions of the last 40yrs….

[@Kahuna54]

Beautiful blue color!

[@caivsivlivs]

nice call of ktulu part, u should play the distorted part also please

[@acdclexu6296]

my favourite fender stuff the strange speced guitars. the offset tele is so cool

[@minekaktus]

what's the song from 9:27????

[@Farewelltokingz]

More than a feeling - Boston

[@snapfinger1]

Close enough to a ‘60’s Electric XII. Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page & Johnny Winter. Danelectro ‘59 DC 12 the only competitor.

[@BCarpenter2314]

Really thinking about getting one of these...

[@dmyers9230]

Thanks. Love the look, but now I know I don’t need one unless a plan extra to swap the pickups.