Squier Paranormal Guitars - Some Surprise Gems

In 2021, Fender brought back its Squier Paranormal collection of unconventional electric guitars and bass guitars, infusing a playful twist into their renowned designs.
Recently, Fender introduced five fresh additions to the beloved Paranormal series, showcasing some of the most peculiar and extraordinary guitar designs the brand has produced in quite some time.
While the range also includes more traditional options, such as the familiar Strat-O-Sonics reminiscent of the original Paranormal lineup from the early 2000s, the new releases feature entirely innovative designs, with the Nashville Stratocaster leading the way.

[@JiminTennessee]

Squire is killing it these days. So is Epiphone.

[@michaelmillican5592]

Many great recordings were made using both brands.

[@Aleksicorp]

right now epiphone is just doing what gibson should

[@tauruschorus]

They are building for players. I feel like Fender builds for collectors nowadays. They come all pre-distressed and “road worn” so you can just hang a $4,000 strat on the wall and pick it up a couple times a year. My opinion.

[@dcamp671]

Saving my pennies for that Epi DG-335 when it’s released. My wife-approved “next guitar”. This Esquire is looking like it might be next after that.

[@Pead929]

For sure. I’m still saving up for the boutique guitar of my dreams but these Squiers and Epiphones are just great for the money

[@iancpowell]

Squier really needs to do more of the custom shop re-makes like they did with this series

[@howdy2053]

that intro really took my by surprise

[@jasondorsey7110]

An offset shortscale with dual humbuckers...that's gonna be a classic

[@mattgahr]

I just got the rascal bass Friday and I can vouch for how cool it is. Vintage vibes all day and feels great with flatwounds on it.

[@CitizenofMelee]

I love that the Paranormal Series exists. Just throw a bunch of ideas at the wall. Some will be great, some will be so-so. But we get something different and fun.

[@scottreynolds6317]

That Jazzmaster XII just looks fun!!!

[@ripster8766]

Just got the jazzmaster 12 yesterday, it’s great! The quality is pretty amazing for the money. I wouldn’t hesitate if your interested.

[@ToddTheJoker]

I think the word you were looking for is "hockey stick" headstock. Looks a bit like a fat hockey stick. Also the pickups in the 12 string JM are Fender-Designed alnico single-coil Jazzmaster pickups, NOT soapbar pickups.

[@nickm.9474]

I’m not a bass player but that thing is rad! Also the esquire. I’ve been wanting to build that exact guitar forever!

[@WilliamHaisch]

Yeah, that Rascal bass looks awesome. I definitely want one.

[@davegallagher7428]

I think it’s a pretty cool series. I really like the Esquire deluxe but the one I might buy some day is the rascal bass and I agree Sherwood green metallic is a smokin color. I think the 12 string might be the one that really goes up in value.

[@YesItsWitticus]

The 12 string and the rascal bass are calling my name.

[@FatadayKorngor]

Picked up the strat-o-sonic on Friday, and it’s already become one of my favorites in my collection. Great quality for the price 👌🏿 If I had to choose another one in the collection, I’d definitely go with the Esquire Deluxe

[@mikes9759]

Good and entertaining vid as usual!! Might be changing my mind about a Squire. We'll have to see. That 12 string is looking and sounding pretty good!!

[@charlesharper7292]

Strat with the natural body is beautiful!

[@fulltiltgonzales]

I got the Limited Edition Paranormal Rascal™ Bass HH in Shell Pink direct from Fender. It was a total impulse buy. I knew I had to have it the second I saw it. It's just like the Green one in the video, only in Shell Pink with a gorgeous 4-Ply Tortoiseshell pickguard. The shape is the same as the Fender Bass VI, and the headstock is the same as on the Fender Coronado bass, and it has strings-through body. The two chrome humbuckers - such a killer bass - and only $449.99. So freakin' happy.

[@tickertapetragedy2450]

I wish guitar companies would jump on some of these new colors on the new cars.

[@a_dubs_]

Love the paranormal stuff. Glad they did another run.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video I enjoy the conversations about guitars

[@ryangunwitch-black]

These are super cool. Especially that Esquire Deluxe!

[@charlesharper7292]

Got my Strat o Sonic from Fender. Sweetwater was out, and I didn't want to wait.

[@timothymyers1354]

The Rascal bass is incredible. Mine came in last week. I've never played or heard anything like it and I am in love. I also have the Squier Paranormal Toronado and that is a fantastic instrument as well.

[@landonbailey]

they looks fun!

[@homegrownson]

Squire's paranormal series has appeal from Price point, Styling and seems to be engaging Guitarist in ways to make them want to play. But even on a killer Squire I always Play every Guitar on the Wall because Magic isn't always where you think it will be and can many times be found in a lowly Squire that will outperform many leading makers best guitars

[@DavidHBurkart]

Squier is killin' it!!

[@erikherman5896]

The Stratosonic has push pulls on both knobs! Series/parallel and in/out phase!

[@thomasstephens7293]

Ive had the Rascal bass for a month..love it!

[@BobPerrone]

Omg....getting that Jazzmaster 12 string.. .😊

[@ThomasJackMoore]

Already order the 12. Might get the bass and single PU tele too.

[@chris_2714]

Just got the Jazzmaster XII in LPB. Good build quality and nice to have a reasonably priced electric 12 string. It will never be my main guitar so I was quite happy not to spend a fortune on it.

[@jonjones655]

Just finished rehearsal and what do I find? Casino with cool guitars! Cool!

[@Donholleyglobeaz]

That red strat is calling my name.

[@ToddTheJoker]

I recently got a Squier by Fender Squier 51 and that thimg is freakin' awesome! I love it...the tuners have to swapped because the stock ones suck but other than that it needs zero changes,,,even the pickups sound great.

[@chadwicks_guitar]

Way to kill it on that bass! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@mrcurtis73]

I’ve been waiting on you guys to talk about these guitars. I was hoping you’d talk about and play the Custom Nashville Strat.. Oh well, my second favorite one the P90 Strat, looks and sounds cool. 👍🏼 lol

[@99bigjim]

FYI..... the Strat-ton sounds like a strat because those are not P-90's.....just single coils shaped like them... but i put a set of Wilkinson P-90's in there and wow! great !

[@SlimRhyno]

I have a weird thing for single pickup guitars, and that Esquire is giving off some serious vibes! Oh, be still my beating heart 😘

[@mrstanto]

9:05 I bought this squire Esquire deluxe. It came with a hand written note from Baxter. Very classy. Yeah, this is a good one. The output jack keeps falling out but that’s worth the trade for a nice playing and sounding guitar.

[@000MidnightSun]

I recently got the Paranormal Cabronita baritone and it is pretty great for the price! There are a couple of basic hardware issues with the guitar, which are easy fixes, but the neck is great and it sounds great. It does tend to feed back a lot with gain, so I am wondering if that's just the pickups or what. Still a fun, solid guitar to play. I'm sure it will be a beast with a few minor tweaks.

[@solaris70]

Yayyy Squier !!! 🎉⚡🔥 ✨🎸✨

[@danrunnoft6642]

The Paranormal series doesn't seem to get as much praise as the Classic Vibe, but I think they are just as nice, and maybe a little more interesting. I think the Strat in the video was a Classic Vibe, not Paranormal.

[@simonpark843]

You're right, so it is.

[@slimkickens]

The strat is the stratosonic, it's paranormal

[@danrunnoft6642]

@@slimkickens Not talking about the Strat with two P90's. Talking about the Strat at the end of the video.

[@simonpark843]

@@slimkickens - The one Baxter plays at the end is not the Strat O Sonic.

[@aliensexist15]

That single pickup esquire is sickkkkkkk

[@cptntwang]

The Nashville Strat has a strong sonny Landreth vibe

[@surfgod509]

Squires can be fun ! With effects and minor adjustments you can find yourself in the Ballpark! Tele is Cool 😎

[@danwilson9530]

You guys are giving me G.A.S.

[@72spawndn]

When do we get more live shows?

[@dw7704]

The one I am most interested in is the 12 string Jazzmaster The Stratosonic would be tempting if I hadn’t recently acquired a Les Paul Special ( which is what the Stratosonic is in a different shape)

[@ryangunwitch-black]

11:11 That sounds killer!!!!

[@deepiper6529]

The 12 string is really starting to grow on me.

[@erikthompson404]

Is the paranormal Esquire Deluxe routed under the pick guard?

[@BobPerrone]

I've got the 12 string on the way. I think I'm going for the P90 strat next!

[@jimlittle2782]

It's good to see Fender revisiting the Rascal bass. The original Rascal bass was a great instrument that was too short-lived in production. I always wondered if it got discontinued because the bridge/tailpiece was a Guild design, and Fender no longer owns Guild. It looks like the bridge/tailpiece on the Squire version is shaped differently than the Guild-designed piece on the original.

[@Funkybassuk]

This looks Mustang-y.

[@davefox1139]

It’s a Mustang string-through bridge. I had a Fender Rascal for a while but the lipstick pickups were pretty anemic sounding. Nothing like a Dano. My Shell Pink Squire Rascal is due to arrive this Thursday! ❤

[@jeffbrown5084]

Why did you NOT demonstrate the series/parallel switch and the phase reversal switch on the stratosonic??

[@MrSparks54]

What?? Casino guitars is featuring a bass?? Did hell freeze over or planets align weird? Either way as a bassist, I appreciate it. Cheers!

[@positivelynegative9149]

I clicked on this to see the Nashville Strat. 😭 It's even in the thumbnail. 🤷‍♂️

[@liamguitars]

Duuuude Baxtrain!You should end more vid's playing. I totally jacked a riff off you! I enjoy the Paranormal series. I made a warmoth strat with tele rout and neck and it is a mooooonster ! But i have the warmoth bug now and have started way to many projects now. Please dont ask how many I am embarrassed. Still need a mustang though. Am i the only one that got the mustang bug?

[@glencooper1091]

The Strat-O-Sonic specs do not list the PUPS as P90s. Another youtuber pulled the bridge an seen the Epiphone insignia on the bottom.

[@kennieminski7080]

On the 12 string is that a normal humbucker sized route?

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Wait why sneak in the regular strat at the end and not the Nashville strat or something else from the line?

[@Poldek.Misiak]

Will Squier guitars be made in China again to cut costs and keep prices down? What do you think? That Esquire Deluxe looks just badass.

[@JoshBattershell]

I want to get the 12 string jazzmaster and rascal bass

[@emooneyham75]

That Strat looks similar to a Gibson....Called the SG. Lol Super cool Strat.

[@johnbriggs3916]

I'm not totally convinced that Fender expected you to demonstrate them with all the plastic film left on...

[@jasonjayalap]

4:20 Fender says that the Stratosonics pickups are "Fender-Designed alnico soapbar single-coil pickups". Are they p90s?

[@bobbrown5212]

Interesting....

[@peterszakal]

What is the song, you play at 13:02?

[@donsimon63]

Hockey stick headstock ... ?

[@taurektaurek6213]

What was the last Stratocaster? It wasn't the Nashville Paranormal (no T-style bridge etc.)..

[@MrSmiley1964]

Re That Strat: The first thing I saw was that killer pickguard. Depending on country of manufacture I'd be interested in that one. Maybe the Tele as well.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

For country of origin is that an ethical choice, perceived quality, or some other reason?

[@JoshBattershell]

@@JosePineda-jn8jkmost likely perceived quality in the guitar world.

[@MrSmiley1964]

@@JoshBattershell No China is not our friend and I prefer to not give money to people who are not my friend if I have a choice. It's like my mother taught me, you can't buy friends. I will send my money to Indonesia first, thank you.

[@MrSmiley1964]

@@JosePineda-jn8jk Strictly an ethical/political choice, see my reply to Josh Battershell for an in-depth explanation for why I feel the way I do.

[@JGSandman38]

“China is not our friend” wow…just wow. China is a country with billions of people, it’s not a singular entity that can be your friend. The quality is considerably of Chinese guitars are better across the board, the wages in China are higher, and if you’ve ever actually looked into it the effects of production growth in Indonesia has been pretty devastating to the fragile ecosystem there. The perceived idea that something made in Indonesia is more ethical is comical, most people have little knowledge of the complex infrastructure of either of these economies and yet they just believe what they’ve been told “China is a bad and we must hate their products”. It’s hilarious how steadfast people are in this belief. If you want an ethical guitar then go into the woods, find a tree, ethically harvest that tree and have it milled in an eco-friendly way with minimal waste. Utilize all that wood so it doesn’t go to waste. Now source some electronics that aren’t made overseas (you can’t) and then have all of the metal parts cast/constructed in a top rate facility with all safety measures at 100% safe for the employees. Then collect all that stuff you had made and find a competent luthier that you know is a good person and has never done anything bad ever. Make sure they are American because definitely no other nationality can be good. Then make sure no chemicals are used in the process of making your guitar that have an environmentally negative impact. I guess only natural finishes and untreated metals for you. Now make sure to source American made American mined fret wire for your neck. But make sure those mines aren’t causing any ethical damage. Now you have a $10,000 guitar that likely won’t play as well as a Squier. Do some research, Amazon workers in America get lower wages and work longer hours in shittier conditions than many factories in China. They value their workers highly there as it is a big part of how they maintain themselves as a global superpower. Now is China a f’d up dictatorship? Yes absolutely, and if you want to do something about it then there are so many better places to start than where you buy a cheap guitar from. Come down off the high horse and join us in reality. There is no ethically made guitars. Sorry folks 🤘🏽 play what you love and can afford, life is too short to live with a guitar neck up your keister 😂😂 🎸

[@mikewhitfield2994]

I like those in general, but (A) I think all the Paranormal series are made in China rather than Indonesia and (B) the price puts them square in competition with the Sire '2' series and the Guild Surfliner. And I'm really jonesing for an orange Guild Surfliner.

[@JGSandman38]

Pretty common belief these days that these China built Squiers are better built than the Indonesia and the reviews of all these models across KZbin pretty much support that belief. I’ve played Chinese Strats that outplay American ones, I wouldn’t put too much thought into where it was built, the standards and QC for China Squier has increased tremendously and the QC out of Indonesia has been pretty unreliable. Of course best to play before you buy, there are gems and duds in every price point no matter what.

[@BCarpenter2314]

If I were to get one, im torn between the jazz12 and the esquire deluxe

[@ivorytelecaster]

I saw a bunch of people on Reddit talking about if the esquire would be routed out for double humbuckers. Can you end the debate?

[@howardsalada8899]

And where are the lefty models? eh?

[@sixbladeknife44]

Whoa the bearded guy finally shaved!

[@charlesharper7292]

Man, 12 strings kinda baffle me. The two strings that are tuned the same. Why? And what kind of sound would you get if you tuned them like the rest of them?

[@JGSandman38]

Did you listen to what it sounded like? 12 string guitars aren’t a new thing lol

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

Not a fan of the Strat look I one, but the others are freakin awesome especially the bass. I don’t need three more guitars, I do need three more guitars, I doubt need three more guitars

[@b2626t]

push pull knobs on straw o sonic

[@big-joe-momma]

John Connor sells guitars now?

[@peterhedrich7653]

The twelfe string is a Killer poplar jazzmaster Body and the Bridge is super top loaded and string through the Body and a very cool Neck and the strap Buttons have white dishers think MrLeo was astonished an happy she has cool pickups and sounds very cool wauw an Orchester see ya smile with that Guitar buildt for Fender in China think the chinse Workers like Fender😀 and that is not paranormal it´s cool

[@austinblack2201]

Is that a les paul special/strat combo?

[@ToddTheJoker]

yup sand you can get it in TV Yellow although Fender has a different name for the color but it is definitely TV yellow.

[@henchmusic5878]

Gotta hand it to ya Baxter, playing a twelve string, right out of the box, no way in hell it was going to be in tune. Yeah, every time I think I want that Roger McGuinn sound, I remember why I sold all my 12-strings. Actually, all but the bass seemed to have some tuning issues. I'm assuming it's because you didn't set them up yet...or is there something more nefarious afoot?

[@Markleford]

Yup, came here to say: YIKES, please tune! Or at least assess whether the nuts are cut too high or if the intonation needs tweaking!

[@explorervango880]

I just bought a new Gibson SG Special. You mean I could have saved $800 buying a Squier? Seriously, though, these are interesting offerings.

[@monoscopes]

That Strat still sounds a lot like a Strat in spite of the P90s.

[@sd3falco]

I feel like the bridge on that bass is pushed to far forward. Just my opinion.

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Any lefties?

[@HUGzJayGon]

Other than the pus/pull pots on the "Stratosonic" I don't get what's all that P a R a N o R m A l about it...there are Strats with P90s that actually say "Fender" on the headstock. Maybe the price point is what's "alternate dimensional" about it??

[@slimkickens]

24.75" Gibson scale, wraparound bridge, P90s, it's a Junior/Special in a strat body shape

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@slimkickens It’s even got a Gibson fretboard radius.

[@slimkickens]

@@charlesbolton8471 and the original Fender version was mahogany if I remember right

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@slimkickens I think your right, the wood that is used this one is similar to mahogany.

[@Irkennalpha]

Hoping for a Tele version

[@jamesonpace726]

Can you tune a fish? What about a guitar....

[@DrewMurphyRules]

PEE!

[@johnwashburn3793]

STOP the noodling!

[@tonyc4851]

Gumby headstock 😅

[@BasementGuitarSuperstar]

This bass is rad but the rest of this years paranormal series is MEH

[@ggrobitubbs]

Sorry, but what is wrong with your hair?

[@cmel714]

Saw on another video the Stratosonic tailpiece says Epiphone underneath.