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Squier Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic Electric Guitar - Crimson Red Transparent

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Okoume Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Crimson Transparent Red
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Squier Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic Electric Guitar - Crimson Red Transparent
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Snazzy Short-scale with Sizzling Tone

The daring style and sound of Squier’s Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic guitar blend the classic feel of a Stratocaster with the fuller, warmer nature of a dual P-90-style electric — not to mention a unique aesthetic! Taking after the short-lived Fender Strat-O-Sonic models of the mid-2000s, the Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic unveils a wealth of tones by way of a pair of Fender-designed Alnico Soapbar Single Coil pickups. You also get a 3-way selector switch, and push-pull controls for series/parallel operation and phase. It’s really a comfy player, too, fitted with a classic “C”-shaped maple neck that’s been slightly shortened for a 24.75-inch scale length, providing effortless convenience for guitarists of all sizes. The word around Sweetwater? The affordable Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic makes the perfect match for smaller-framed guitarists looking for a sharp look, comfortable feel, and a different kind of single-coil sizzle from their Strat-style axe.

Superbly comfortable 6-string

The Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic abounds with comfortable components, starting with a lightweight, articulate-sounding okoume body. Taking on a Strat-style shape, the back is carved for comfort and its enormous cutaways provide maximum convenience when playing all the way up the laurel fingerboard. The maple neck itself offers the iconic “C”-shape profile, creating a form-fitting and time-tested grip on your chording hand that won’t take a toll during those long practice sessions and performances. And since it’s technically a short-scale electric, the Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic shaves off about an inch of scale length compared to standard-length electrics, making tasks like nailing those open-position chords less strenuous for youngsters and smaller guitarists alike.

Fender-designed Alnico Soapbars

Armed with a pair of Fender-designed Alnico Soapbar pickups at the neck and bridge, you can expect a warmer, fuller-sounding single-coil tone out of your Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic. Its alnico magnet construction still brings that single-coil spank to the table, but with a bit less jangle that’s more suitable for jazz, blues, and modern rock. But pickup tone is only half of the equation! The push-pull volume knob control let you choose between running your pickups in series (thicker and warmer) or parallel (thinner and more chimey). Meanwhile, the push-pull tone knob controls whether you're playing in or out of phase. Whatever your preferred playing style, the Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic is happy to accommodate.

Paranormal first impressions

Everywhere you look on the Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic, there’s a stylish feature that stands out and questions the customary appointments of the past. A compensated wraparound bridge and vintage-style tuners hold your intonation with total charm. At the same time, the unique 3-ply pickguard shape offers a divergent take on those typically associated with the body style. Continuing to eschew tradition, a side-mounted instrument cable jack throws in some additional otherworldly flavor. Toss in a pickguard-matching headstock for good measure, and the closer you look, the more this Strat in disguise becomes its own unique beast.

Squier Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic Electric Guitar Features:

  • Okoume Strat-style body offers a lightweight and comfortable playing feel, standing or sitting
  • “C”-shaped maple neck with 24.75-inch scale length combines an ergonomic grip with convenient reachability
  • 22-fret laurel fingerboard offers plenty of room for riffing and soloing to your heart’s content
  • Fender-designed Alnico Soapboar single-coil pickups offer a warmer and fuller single-coil tone
  • 3-way selector switch with push-pull controls for series/parallel and in/out of phase operation unleashes tons of tonal potential
  • Compensated wraparound bridge and vintage-style tuners add seldom-seen Strat-style charm
  • Unique 3-ply pickguard shape, matching headstock, and side-mounted instrument cable jack challenge convention while offering modern appeal

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape Strat-O-Sonic
  • Body Material Okoume
  • Body Finish Gloss
  • Color Crimson Red Transparent
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Maple
  • Neck Shape C
  • Neck Joint Bolt-on
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Laurel
  • Fingerboard Inlay Dots
  • Number of Frets 22, Narrow Tall
  • Scale Length 24.75"
  • Nut Width 1.650"
  • Nut Material Graphite
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Compensated Wrap-Around
  • Tuners Vintage-style
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Fender Alnico Soapbar Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup Fender Alnico Soapbar Single-coil
  • Controls 1 x volume (push/pull series/parallel), 1 x tone (push/pull phase)
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings NPS, .009-.042
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0377035538

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 4/5

Unique and multitalented, but...

I could not wait for this guitar to arrive. I preordered it. It was a tad pricey, but it was a LOT less expensive than the Fender Noventa Stratocaster of similar design. I have no issues with the Squier line. I have had some of their higher-end stuff and have been satisfied. I have an ancient Bullet Strat that is among my favorites in my entire collection. The positives of this Strat-O-Sonic are many: Beautiful design and color (trans-red), great neck and fretboard, great weight, and of course, so many tone variations from the pull-pot options. So, I brought it to band rehearsal and everyone loved it... Except me. I liked it. It played pretty well and sounded pretty good, but those P90-shaped pickups are NOT P90's. They have an impedance around 6 KΩ each. The output is a bit low. I had to really drive the amp to get the tones I wanted. And those tones never sounded like P90 tone. The guitar had a lot of diverse tones, but it had an overall timbre that sounded nasally to me. I am guessing it's a combination of the type of pickup in the okoume body with the laurel fretboard. The resonance you get with the guitar unplugged does not carry forward when plugged in. If you can live with that, then the guitar is fine, but even then, the price is not really justified. I might have paid maybe $ for something like this, but $ is too much. And the thing has an Epiphone wraparound bridge, so I suspect that Squier cut some corners with hardware sourcing. I just returned mine and am expecting an Epiphone Wilshire P90. Hoping it will have true P90 tone and power.
Music background: Pro performer of 40+ years
Rated 5/5

The most versatile model yet

The P90s are great. They really clean up when the volume is turned down a bit. Out of phase and humbucker mode - in series not parallel- is fantastic. This guitar gives me the most tones of all that I own. It's a great bag for the buck. Plus the red is really killer.
Music background: Played in a band a long time ago…
Rated 5/5

Paranormal Strat-o-Sonic

I bought this to fill the void of not having a P90 guitar and was pleasantly surprised at how fun it is to just have around and play some blues with it. The guitar was in perfect shape when arriving, thanks to Sweetwater for making sure that even though I bought an inexpensive guitar. Would recommend
Music background: Long time player
Rated 5/5

I told my teacher

Before I start the review I want to thank my Sweetwater's sales man Ben Elder if you're buying gear from sweetwater get ahold of Ben he take care of your needs for sure ….. I told my guitar teacher if I ever came across a fender strat that had 243/4 scale I would buy it in a minute.The Stratosonic has that and more.it has a great neck no bad fret ends stays in tune (that's a plus)did I mention it has awesome single coil pickups…..this guitar sounds fantastic…it's even better when you play it through a tube amp like a blues jr…I like this guitar one of my best buys….talk to Ben Elder and get you one you won't regret it
Music background: Student
Rated 4/5

Cool, but not really a bargain

I had many questions about the Stratosonic and decided to order one to find out. The Stratosonic is cool, but to be a bargain it would need to be 100% usable as it comes. The electronics and shielding are not great but usable without upgrading. Is the fretwork flawless? No, but It's up to the standard of the Squire Classic Vibes which is fine. I rounded some fret ends, but you don't have to. Out of the box, the bridge was high on one side, but that was it. No further adjustments required, no buzzing, and being a 12" radius, no fretting out. The one thing that really is flawless is the finish. No effort is made to match the pieces of body wood, but that's also true for much more expensive guitars these days.

Weight on these guitars is all over the place from 6+ pounds all the way up to Les Paul. Mine is 7lb. 10 oz and just about balances. Much as I like light guitars, any lighter will be neck heavy. I like the pickups, but be aware they are not high output. So why not 5 stars? The tuner buttons are loose. This used to happen years ago on cheap guitars but I thought it was solved. The tuners work, but the mysterious headstock buzz is the tuner buttons. Not a big deal, plenty of drop-in replacements available, but if you're on a budget, something to consider.

Finally, some trivia. The specs say the strings are .009. No, they are .010 which makes sense for a 24-3/4 scale guitar. If you flip the bridge over it's marked Epiphone on the underside. Both pots are push-pull but this is intended for use when both pickups are active. When using the bridge pickup alone, pulling up on the volume pot acts like a kill switch. At least it does on mine.

I really like it and it's fun to have a 24-3/4 guitar in the mix. There are other guitars in this price range from Ibanez that have better QC, but there's only one Stratosonic!
Music background: I've played for a really long time
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