NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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vistavision
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NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:32 am

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.
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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.
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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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by Embenny » Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:16 pm

Awesome mods. Love the guard and the MFDs. Great choices all around!
The artist formerly known as mbene085.

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by IceBlueBoogaloo » Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:24 pm

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.

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by smjenkins » Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:29 pm

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. :)

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by sugarandopium » Sun Jul 18, 2021 2:25 am

vistavision wrote:
Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:32 am
So, I had a Squier Bass VI on order, but the delivery shifted to November. Cancelled it.
Damn.
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.

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by Mervynskidmore » Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:09 am

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?

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by Sweetfinger » Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:05 am

Mervynskidmore wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:09 am
Some people have said that the tuners are crap, what do you think about them?
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.
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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:56 am

Sweetfinger wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:05 am
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 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.

*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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:00 am

Mervynskidmore wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:09 am
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?
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!
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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:22 am

mbene085 wrote:
Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:16 pm
Awesome mods. Love the guard and the MFDs. Great choices all around!
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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:29 am

sugarandopium wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 2:25 am
vistavision wrote:
Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:32 am
So, I had a Squier Bass VI on order, but the delivery shifted to November. Cancelled it.
Damn.
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.
Yeah, I ordered in April and when I had the store check the ETA in May it had slipped from September to November.
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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by ChrisDesign » Sun Jul 18, 2021 7:45 pm

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

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by whatisdust » Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:17 pm

What does the pickup route look like underneath the pickguard? I’m thinking about ordering one of these in Shell Pink.

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by vistavision » Mon Jul 19, 2021 2:01 am

whatisdust wrote:
Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:17 pm
What does the pickup route look like underneath the pickguard? I’m thinking about ordering one of these in Shell Pink.
Lots of fun choices are possible.
Image
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".

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Re: NGD: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster (2020)

Post by whatisdust » Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:10 pm

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.

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