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Squier Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic Electric Guitar - Vintage Blonde

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Okoume Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Vintage Blonde
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$429.99

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Squier Paranormal Strat-O-Sonic Electric Guitar - Vintage Blonde
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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 Vintage Blonde
  • 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/push phase)
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings NPS, .009-.042
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0377035507

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Freat Guitar BUT.......

This is an awesome AXE! It's great because of the scale, deeper cut-a-way, and superior bridge, but the pick ups suck big time.

I had nmy guitar tech put Dimarzio /super Distorsion sized for the p-90; the switching pots are now coil taps for each pick up. The pots come wired wierdbut easy to change to coil taps.

The input jack sucks too - he put a switcraft in its place. NOW IT ROCKS!
Music background: I play about 20 gigs a month - youtube TONY VEGAS GUITAR SLINGER
Rated 5/5

The Fender Les Paul Special

Don't let the name "Stratosonic" fool you. Ignore the body shape and headstock. This is a Fender Les Paul Special. For $. That's right: a Les Paul for $.
It has a Gibson neck (24.75" length, 12" radius, 22 frets), Gibson P90s (I guess they're F90s), an Epiphone wraparound bridge, and to top it off, Gibson bell-shaped Les Paul Jr. knobs. The neck and neck pocket have been milled so there is a 2 to 3 degree tilt to the neck, just like a Gibson. This guitar plays, feels, and sounds like a Gibson Les Paul. For one-tenth of the price.
Well done, Fender, well done.
Music background: 49 years being a happy Fender owner
Rated 5/5

Sweet Squire ParaCrazy Guitar ...

OK ... Not long ago, guitar hobbyists were conditioned to think that anything selling for under $ US, was either

"Beginner", Budget, or just really cheap offshored junk. However, today, In what I call "The Banquet Years" of guitars,

$ US can buy a perfectly serviceable ( good lookin, good playing, good sounding) Telecaster clone. This from a former PRS Fanboy (and yes, they still make killer guitars , Just be Nelson Rockefeller to pay for it).

So at $, this guitar is either "cheap" (if you routinely only buy Fender/PRS/Gibson) or maybe overpriced if you buy Harley Benton/ EART / Sire...

I buy from both ends of the spectrum, so even at $, I figured this gurl had better not be mnessin 'around...

AND ...She don't mess around!

This is a great little guitar! Sounds great and with the parallel/series /out of phase switch selection, she is all the more fun. Looks great. Well finished ...

And as of July 2023 ... Her fret edges that are well finished ... Are smooth as a Babybooty.

She also does a thing her $ MIM Fender Player Mustang 90 cousin does not do ... and that is to offer a noise cancelling

middle switch position . At $ US ... I cannot see why Fender did not provide RWRP pickups to noise cancel in the both

pickup position. Folks cry about P 90 "noise" (yeah, they can be especially with high gain) But I'm usually low gain & clean . Hey these are P 90 's !

I was "convinced " that the stock little "Epiphone" wraparound bridge, with the molded in "saddles" would be crappy ...

Hey , this might be an inexpensive part ... But it works ! Sounds great, and intonates as well as anything can intonate !

Check the You Tubes ... Landon Bailey's is very insightful ... whereas "Dylan Talks Tone" ? obviously wants to sell his own pickups. The P90's here are great. Have not compared then to a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquities, but then they cost half as much as the guitar.

This is a 5 Star Sweetie. Cost Effective . Purty. Fun. Maybe a good beginner guitar... But I but a Pro could Gig with it also ...
Music background: Hobbyist /Beginner
Rated 5/5

Sweet Squire ParaCrazy Guitar ...

OK ... Not long ago, guitar hobbyists were conditioned to think that anything selling for under $ US, was either

"Beginner", Budget, or just really cheap offshored junk. However, today, In what I call "The Banquet Years" of guitars,

$200 US can buy a perfectly serviceable ( good lookin, good playing, good sounding) Telecaster clone. This from a former PRS Fanboy (and yes, they still make killer guitars , Just be Nelson Rockefeller to pay for it).

So at $, this guitar is either "cheap" (if you routinely only buy Fender/PRS/Gibson) or maybe overpriced if you buy Harley Benton/ EART / Sire...

I buy from both ends of the spectrum, so even at $, I figured this gurl had better not be mnessin 'around...

AND ...She don't mess around!

This is a great little guitar! Sounds great and with the parallel/series /out of phase switch selection, she is all the more fun. Looks great. Well finished ...

And as of July 2023 ... Her fret edges that are well finished ... Are smooth as a Babybooty.

She also does a thing her $ MIM Fender Player Mustang 90 cousin does not do ... and that is to offer a noise cancelling

middle switch position . At $ US ... I cannot see why Fender did not provide RWRP pickups to noise cancel in the both

pickup position. Folks cry about P 90 "noise" (yeah, they can be especially with high gain) But I'm usually low gain & clean . Hey these are P 90 's !

I was "convinced " that the stock little "Epiphone" wraparound bridge, with the molded in "saddles" would be crappy ...

Hey , this might be an inexpensive part ... But it works ! Sounds great, and intonates as well as anything can intonate !

Check the You Tubes ... Landon Bailey's is very insightful ... whereas "Dylan Talks Tone" ? obviously wants to sell his own pickups. The P90's here are great. Have not compared then to a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquities, but then they cost half as much as the guitar.

This is a 5 Star Sweetie. Cost Effective . Purty. Fun. Maybe a good beginner guitar... But I but a Pro could Gif with it also ...
Music background: Hobbyist /Beginner
Rated 5/5

One word: Fun!

I've always wanted a stray, but I am really more of a Gibson guy, so the fender scale length never felt comfortable. Then Squier decided to create the perfect strat for guys like me, including my love of p90's. At the price they were asking, I couldn't resist. At the very least, it would make a fun modding platform. Right out of the box, this guitar is waaaaay more fun than it has any right to be!

The body is very well-balanced. The okume wood is a cousin of mahogany, so it has those sweet mids and cool grain like mahogany does. Build quality far exceeded my expectations. I'm going to change out the pickups for Wolfetone p90's, but that's not a knock on the stock ones. I just put Wolfetone Meaner p90's in everything they fit in, as they are hands down my favorite p90. I might also make a few other small mods, but at this price, I can afford to go a little crazy. Honestly, I am enjoying this ridiculous guitar way more than I expected.

Plus a special shout-out to Jake, my Sweetwater rep for not only getting me one of the first of these models, but keeping me in the loop all the way.
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