NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
- vistavision
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NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
So, I had a Squier Bass VI on order, but the delivery shifted to November. Cancelled it. Then I ordered a Fender baritone neck so I could part something together. That got shifted to October. Cancelled it. Apparently I needed immediate gratification! One morning 3 weeks ago I thought “That Offset Tele at the shop has been there for a really long time. I wonder if it’s still there?” And here we are.
Added a single-ply black pickguard from WD and a Wilkinson bridge with compensated saddles. I got the control plate flipped, which is functionally cool.
I went through a dozen possible pickup configurations in my brain knowing there are magical routes under the guard. But in the end I went with G&L ASAT Classic MFD’s. And man they did not disappoint. I have an ’84 G&L SC-3 and a ’83 MIJ Tele with CS Nocasters and these MFD’s are their own thing and I’m really pleased. This thing rips.
By the way, the neck on this was completely perfect. Edges rounded, frets were level, and nut cut right. My tech needed to do nothing. And to think it was sitting on a rack for 11 months!
Added a single-ply black pickguard from WD and a Wilkinson bridge with compensated saddles. I got the control plate flipped, which is functionally cool.
I went through a dozen possible pickup configurations in my brain knowing there are magical routes under the guard. But in the end I went with G&L ASAT Classic MFD’s. And man they did not disappoint. I have an ’84 G&L SC-3 and a ’83 MIJ Tele with CS Nocasters and these MFD’s are their own thing and I’m really pleased. This thing rips.
By the way, the neck on this was completely perfect. Edges rounded, frets were level, and nut cut right. My tech needed to do nothing. And to think it was sitting on a rack for 11 months!
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- Embenny
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Awesome mods. Love the guard and the MFDs. Great choices all around!
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- IceBlueBoogaloo
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Been seriously considering an offset Tele for the longest time and was stoked to see them refresh this line again. Great setup! I love the neck on these.
- smjenkins
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
That looks awesome. Love that the neck was perfect. I think that surf green is the coolest color on offer and the MFD pickup choice is what Leo would have wanted.
- sugarandopium
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Damn.vistavision wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:32 amSo, I had a Squier Bass VI on order, but the delivery shifted to November. Cancelled it.
I’m waiting for a black one to come in stock, guess my won’t be happening anytime soon.
Love the tele, looks great.
I built one before fender/squier were making them, such a great configuration, loved it.
- Mervynskidmore
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
I'm thinking about buying one of the new butterscotch ones. Some people have said that the tuners are crap, what do you think about them?
- Sweetfinger
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
I might eventually swap mine for a set of Gotohs. The stock gears work, but aren't the best tuners a Squier ever had. That was one of my "notables" on mine. The other was the way they beveled the fret ends in quite a ways compared to older Squiers I've liked. The bevel makes the strings prone to slipping off the side of the neck when playing. I put a slightly narrower nut on mine and did a fret level, which has got it playable. I got it mostly as a platform for showcasing pickguards, so I'm rolling through all the different variations and taking pics. I also try to take each iteration out on a gig and give the pickup a whirl.Mervynskidmore wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:09 amSome people have said that the tuners are crap, what do you think about them?
- vistavision
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
I left the stock 9's on while I waited for parts to ship and noticed the slippage. If I went to chord quickly up the neck the low E would flop over the edge. All my single coil guitars get GHS Nickel Rocker 10's*. Their wound strings have a higher tension than regular nickle-plated steel wound strings of the same gauge. So after I got it back from my tech the problem went away.Sweetfinger wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:05 amThe other was the way they beveled the fret ends in quite a ways compared to older Squiers I've liked. The bevel makes the strings prone to slipping off the side of the neck when playing. I put a slightly narrower nut on mine and did a fret level, which has got it playable.
*I use Nickel Rockers on my single coil guitars mainly because the nickel wound strings give a slight mid-range bump. I highly recommend them for this alone. Added benefit is they're smoother than standard round wounds.
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- vistavision
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
No problems, yet. And my cranky tech didn't have any words about them. Hopefully I got some good ones. I'll know in a year or two!Mervynskidmore wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:09 amI'm thinking about buying one of the new butterscotch ones. Some people have said that the tuners are crap, what do you think about them?
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- vistavision
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Thanks! I've had my SC-3 since '88 and it's nice to get some more MFDs in the house. Been thinking about doing it for a while. My tech's main guitar is a '86 ASAT so he was completely on board with my decision!
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- vistavision
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Yeah, I ordered in April and when I had the store check the ETA in May it had slipped from September to November.sugarandopium wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 2:25 amDamn.vistavision wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:32 amSo, I had a Squier Bass VI on order, but the delivery shifted to November. Cancelled it.
I’m waiting for a black one to come in stock, guess my won’t be happening anytime soon.
Love the tele, looks great.
I built one before fender/squier were making them, such a great configuration, loved it.
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- ChrisDesign
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
That looks stunning! The telecaster’s shape and headstock always put me off, now I have an option. The squire name puts me off though…
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain
- whatisdust
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
What does the pickup route look like underneath the pickguard? I’m thinking about ordering one of these in Shell Pink.
- vistavision
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
Lots of fun choices are possible.whatisdust wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:17 pmWhat does the pickup route look like underneath the pickguard? I’m thinking about ordering one of these in Shell Pink.
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- whatisdust
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)
vistavision, thank you for the “under the hood” shot! Much appreciated! Lots of room for extra pickups, etc. Also, the picture with the Filtertron & Tortoise pickguard with the Surf Green looks great! I had not given much thought to that color combo before, but it has me thinking about doing something in green, maybe Sherwood Green (?!?), with a Tort guard. Already have a Tele in Surf Green with an Orange pickguard.