Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII OW

The moment I spotted this guitar online I was drawn to it and began watching countless videos on YouTube. I am playing guitar a long time and have a decent electric collection at this stage, but had never owned a 12 string electric.

I hadn't played a Squire in many years, most of my guitars are more expensive build, so was a little nervous that it might look like a cool guitar, but not actually play or sound as good as it looks. I was wrong!

This guitar absolutely amazing. I have it a week now and have not put it down. I have been playing it through a small Vox valve amp and have been experimenting with it through some reverb, gain, fuzz & analogue delay. It also sounds amazing clean and chimes lovely.

Some videos online mentioned changing out the pick ups, but I wont be touching them, as all pick up positions sound really good to me. So far, the guitar has stayed in tune really well. I find the Jag shape comfortable to play and some also remarked online about the weight of it. I own a Gibson Firebird which is an absolute chunk, so this guitar weight seems fine for body size etc. The guitar is really well built and feels like a much expensive guitar. The finish, fretwork and overall look/feel is brilliant.

The headstock seems to divide opinion, but I really like it as it has a retro vibe that some 60's fender 12 strings had (Pete Townsend Tommy recording sessions!). its is also very functional as it has to house the 12 tuning keys.

Not sure how I will transport the guitar, as it might be difficult to fit in a case, but I will try a bass guitar case at some point, but for now it doesn't need to go anywhere as I am playing it at home.

I should note also, that when I bought the guitar I also asked Thomann to do a full set up and restring (cost E60 and the price of the strings). This was an extra change but with 12 strings being notoriously difficult to set up, I decided to do this and I have to say their guitar experts did an amazing job. They do a very detailed check on everything (they provided a list of what they check) and the guitar is absolutely perfection. It was almost still in tune out of the box from Germany. I am sure these ship in good condition straight from the factory but with the low Squire price tag on Thomann I decided it was well worth it.