Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Offset Telecaster® SJ

On the bench today we have the Squier Limited Edition Paranormal Offset Telecaster® SJ.

Up until now Squier has released a few different versions of the Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster. One in the traditional telecaster single coil/single coil configuration and one in the SH configuration with the humbucker pickup in the neck position. The electronics have not been anything outside the normal configuration you would normally find in a telecaster.

My guitar today weighs in at 7 lbs and 1 ounce or 3.222 kilos.

Checking pickup impedance, the bridge pickup measures 7.09 k ohms, both pickups combined measure 3.434 k ohms, and the neck pickup measures 6.49 k ohms.

The electronics in the guitar are made up of two push/pull 250k ohm pots and an inexpensive box type pickup selector switch.

Running my hand up and down on the sides of the fretboard I did not find any rough edges.

Checking the guitar for fret rock I found tall frets at the following locations. 2nd, 9th, 12th, and 15th frets.

With this guitar release Squier has done something significantly more than prior.

1) The guitar has a very different sounding neck pickup than any prior model of this guitar. Squier has replaced the traditional single coil or humbucker pickup in the neck position with a Fender designed Jazzmaster pickup. Both of the pickups in the guitar are Alnico Single Coils.

2) they have added a push pull to the volume control. When the volume knob is in the downward position the number 2 or middle position of the pickup selector switch present both pickups in parallel. When you pull up the volume knob the 2nd or middle position of the pickup selector where the two pickups are combined you now have the two pickups in series which is much louder.

3) they have added a push/pull to the tone switch as well. When the tone push/pull is in the down position and the pickup selector is in the 2nd or middle position combining the two pickups the pickups are in phase. When you pull up on the push/pull tone pot and are in the 2nd or middle position with the two pickups combined they are now out of phase. What this does is when the two pickups are out of phase, their signals cancel out the like or same frequency content that both pickups have, resulting in a noticeable reduction in low- and mid-range frequencies. But, because the two pickups are very different and have different frequencies and signals what is left then is a combined sound of what is left.

4) You can have both series and out of phase turned on at the same time.

5) There are cosmetic enhancements that are very Jazzmaster like – like matching headstock finish to the body, binding on the sides of the neck, and block inlays in the fretboard.

Here are some of the specifications of the guitar.

Body
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Body Shape: Jazzmaster®
Body Material: Poplar

Neck
Headstock: Matching Painted Headstock
Neck Material: Maple Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel
Neck Shape: “C” Shape
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
Position Inlays: Pearloid Dot
Number of Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Frets
Nut Width: 1.650″ (42 mm)
Nut Material: Bone

Hardware
Bridge: 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele® with Chrome Barrel Saddles
Control Knobs: Knurled Flat-Top

Electronics
Pickup Configuration: SJ
Bridge Pickup: Fender® Designed Telecaster Alnico Single-Coil
Neck Pickup: Fender® Designed Jazzmaster Alnico Single-Coil

Controls:

Push/Pull Master Volume Knob Selects Pickups In-Series (Up) And Parallel (Down) In Position 2

Push/Pull Master Tone Knob Selects Pickups In-Phase (Down) And Out-Of-Phase (Up) In Position 2.
Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup

This model is brought to life by a set of Fender Designed alnico single coil pickups in a Tele bridge and Jazzmaster neck configuration (SJ) with push/pull controls for series/parallel and phase switching in position 2.

The manufacturer suggested retail price is $449. The guitar has not been released long enough for used pricing.

The playing experience on the guitar is great. The weight and the balance of the guitar are phenomenal. The neck is easy for me to play.

I literally have one single complaint that I have. The last two Squiers that are recent new releases they have put these jumbo strap buttons. My D’Addario Auto Lock Guitar straps will not work on the guitars, and I have needed to either use an old fashion guitar strap or replace the buttons with normal sized buttons. Probably most folks will appreciate the new buttons.