If you’re wondering if Squier Paranormal Toronado is a good electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s review, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable model. A lot of guitarists claim that this is a really underrated guitar, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Squier Paranormal Toronado offers a fantastic value for the money. It’s not the best guitar in the world and it has its own disadvantages, but it can become a killer axe after a bit of adjusting. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Toronado so cool. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications and the main advantages of that guitar. Additionally, we’ll investigate the potential flaws of that model. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure out if this guitar is a good fit for you!
Specs & Pricing
Squier Paranormal Toronado is a mid-range electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. The original Toronado was originally introduced in late ’90s but Fender decided to stop manufacturing it after a few years. Now it’s back – and it’s affordable!
What makes it so cool? Well, the Toronado features an offset poplar body and a comfortable Slim-C maple neck with Indian laurel fingerboard. What’s important, the guitar has a 24.75″ scale length, which means that it’s smaller than in Stratocasters, Telecasters and Jazzmasters.
The manufacturer decided to equip this guitar with a pair of high-output Atomic Humbuckers which offer a fantastic sound. Whether you’re into clean tones or punchy rock riffs, this guitar won’t let you down. Both of these pickups have individual tone and volume knobs, which gives you even more control over the tone.
Squier Toronado is also available in a few different color versions, including: 3-Color Sunburst, Black, Lake Placid Blue and Mystic Seafoam. Surely, anyone will be able to easily find their own favorite model that suits their needs!
When it comes to pricing, the Toronado is not exactly a budget guitar, but it’s definitely one of the most affordable offset electric guitars that you can find on today’s guitar market. It will be tough to find a better model of this type, especially at this price level. That’s why I believe that it’s totally worth the money!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Squier Paranormal Toronado is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate guitar players. It will work fine as your first electric guitar, but at the same time even more advanced guitarists will appreciate its quality.
Due to the fact that this model is equipped with two really good and versatile humbuckers, this guitar can be used for a lot of different styles of music. If you like blues, rock, indie, grunge and metal – this guitar will be a perfect fit for you!
It is also worth mentioning that this is a really affordable model, so it’s suitable for guitarists on a tight budget. Although it’s not the cheapest guitar that you can find in Squier’s offering, it’s still really appealing.
Overall, Squier Paranormal Toronado is an excellent electric guitar. If you’re tired of all the Strats, Telecasters and Les Pauls, it may be a really good idea to consider adding that model to your collection. In the end, it’s one-of-a-kind!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Squier Paranormal Toronado
When it comes to disadvantages, it’s really tough to find any major cons of the Squier Toronado. Of course, you have to bear in mind that this is not a high-end American-made Fender.
The vast majority of Squier guitars have the same problem – sometimes their initial setup isn’t the best. You may experience problems with the high string action or a dry fretboard, but even what that happens, it’s not a massive issue and you can fix it on your own.
Overall, the advantages of the Squier Toronado outweigh the disadvantages of that model. Considering how affordable and good sounding it is, there’s just not much to complain about. That’s why I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will absolutely love that guitar!
Alternative Options
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Squier Toronado or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good electric guitars that also deserve a lot of attention. Of course, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend and what kind of music you want to play.
Still, here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. This is a fantastic offset electric guitar suitable for both amateur and more advanced players. I personally own that model and I can confirm that it’s a killer axe! If you manage to find the version with two humbuckers, you’ll absolutely fall in love with it.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Squier Baritone Cabronita Telecaster. This is one of my favorite guitars from the Paranormal Series and it sounds absolutely amazing. Still, it’s a baritone guitar, so it’s not recommended for beginners.
There’s also the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster. In comparison with the Toronado, this is not a solid body guitar – it’s a semi-hollow body model. It offers a bit different sound and aesthetic than the guitar reviewed in today’s article, but it’s a truly fantastic instrument. Surely, it’s one of the most interesting Squier guitars out there!
FAQ
Where is Squier Paranormal Toronado made?
Squier Paranormal Toronado is manufactured in China.
Where can I find out more about Squier guitars?
Squier is a brand owned by Fender, so if you want to learn more about their guitars, check out the official website of Fender.
Summary
As you can see, Squier Paranormal Toronado is a really interesting electric guitar. Considering the fact that it’s affordable and it looks different than any of the Squier guitars, it seems like a fantastic choice for both beginners and more intermediate players. Surely, a lot of guitarists are going to love it!
What do you think of the Toronado? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and share your thoughts with our readers, we are really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
