Squier Paranormal Series £399 EACH

The spookiest thing about the new Squier Paranormal guitars is the visitation from three ghosts of riffing past. The surf-soaked offset Squier Super-Sonic model first rose from Davy Jones’ locker in 1997. The

Toronado and the Mustang-on-steroids that is the Cyclone began haunting the Fender catalogue in 1998 and 2002 respectively. Squier’s Paranormal Series is rounded out by a pair of too-cool-for-ghouls Cabronitas and a Telecaster that’s wrestling with an identity crisis. Priced at £399 a skull, you don’t need extra sensory perception to know these things demand further investigation. Here goes… [EM]

PARANORMAL SERIES SUPER-SONIC £399

Originally issued as part of the Squier Vista Series in 1997, the Super-Sonic was briefly resurrected as a Fender Pawn Shop model around 2012. The new Paranormal edition features the same HH-format reverse offset body and reverse headstock design that made the first and second wave of Super-Sonics cult classics. Available in a choice of Graphite Metallic and Ice Blue Metallic finishes, this Squier features the same 610mm (24-inch) short scale-length as seen on both a Fender Jaguar and Mustang.

PARANORMAL SERIES BARITONE CABRONITA TELECASTER £399

Looking a bit like an early 80s Elite Telecaster, the Baritone Cabronita is packing an extra inch and a half where it really matters. The 686mm (27-inch) scale bolt-on maple neck gives you the deep bottom-string rumble that baritone guitars are famous for. Built around a poplar body loaded with a pair of P-90 ‘soap-bars’, this guitar is available in Black only with a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius Indian laurel ’board. At £399, it’s a couple of hundred sheets cheaper than its closest rival, the Danelectro ’56 Baritone.

PARANORMAL SERIES OFFSET TELECASTER £399

The Offset Telecaster loads all the good stuff from Leo Fender’s first born into the body of a Jazzmaster. The only Paranormal Series model not to feature a poplar body, this Squier is hewn from okoume, a lightweight and bright-sounding mahogany substitute. In other news, the bolt-on 648mm (25.5-inch) scale maple neck features a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius maple fingerboard and 22 narrow tall frets. You get a pair of Alnico Tele single-coil pickups and your finish options are Natural and Surf Green.

PARANORMAL SERIES CABRONITA TELECASTER THINLINE £399

Built around a semi-hollow poplar body, the Cabronita Telecaster Thinline comes loaded with a pair of Alnico Jazzmaster style single-coil pickups. In common with most modern Teles, this Paranormal features a bolt-on maple neck with the classic 648mm (25.5inch) scale length. The Fiesta Red and Olympic White finish choices are complemented by a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius maple ’board. Like the rest of the Paranormal series guitars, your digits will encounter 22 narrow tall frets here.

PARANORMAL SERIES TORONADO £399

When the Toronado first appeared in 1998 it had ‘Fender’ on its headstock. Shipped in a choice of Black and Lake Placid Blue this new Squier-branded edition sticks close to its ancestor’s spec sheet with a twin humbucker-loaded poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, and a Gibson-style 629mm (24.75-inch) scale length. Like the other guitars here, you’ll find a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius ’board and 22 narrow tall frets ensuring playability that made the Toronado such a hit with the rock and metal punters the first time around.

PARANORMAL SERIES CYCLONE £399

The Cyclone first showed up as a Fender-branded beastie between 2002 and 2006. Featuring the same 629mm (24.75-inch) scale length as the new Toronado, the Squier Cyclone also shares the same body material, fingerboard timber, measurements and fret complement as its stablemate. Loaded with a Strat-style synchronised vibrato, this guitar is spec’d with master volume, master tone, plus an on/off slider switch for each of its three single-coil pickups. Daphne Blue and Shell Pink shades add to the surf vibe.