Squier Paranormal Baritone - Cheap 27" Ripe for Modding?

[Vegetta]

Do the pups get that good snarl/aggression like P90's should? Pretty much set on getting one of these, just hoping I don't have to replace/mod too much of it.

Oh yeah they sound Amazing. Lots of snarl and very articulate at the same time.

not my video but this really shows what it can do.

 

[BlackMastodon]

 

[Eyelessfiend]

Bought one in green and while I like the p90's in it, I plan to swap to either EMGs or a Dimarzio. The bridge is cheap but works and the tuners actually hold tune. The 3 way switch sucks and the knobs/pots are meh but its a solid guitar. Its in A# right now but I think I may take it lower. Its a really fun guitar.

 

[PK317]

Bought one in green and while I like the p90's in it, I plan to swap to either EMGs or a Dimarzio. The bridge is cheap but works and the tuners actually hold tune. The 3 way switch sucks and the knobs/pots are meh but its a solid guitar. Its in A# right now but I think I may take it lower. Its a really fun guitar.

Which string's gauge do you use for A#?

 

[bostjan]

Which string's gauge do you use for A#?

I'd use 0.011, 0.016, 0.026w, 0.034w, 0.046w, 0.059w, because I like lighter strings (especially plains) for A3 standard at 27"

What string do you typically use for what tuning and what scale length?

 

[NickS]

I have two of those - A black one and the sea foam green.
I swapped out the string trees and got some shorter saddle height adjustment screws.
Running them with Stringjoy baritone 12s

One is tuned to drop A flat. The other is baritone dadgad (Monuments/john Browne tuning)

CONS
I hate the glossy neck finish. My hand doesn't stick to it but i just prefer a satin finish. A green scotchbrite fixes that.
The bridge is cheap as hell but works. I want to upgrade these to the Gotoh one.
The 3 way switch on these are complete dogshit and pop out of position easily.
P90 noise,,,

PROS
really nice fret work - no jagged fret ends and all were leveled nicely
Pickups are really great sounding
Plays fantastically
Very resonant

I will probably pick up one of the new ones with the regular tele pickups. I really like the 27" scale length.

I am still kind of surprised they have not put out another 30" Jazzmaster since they are still in demand and used ones are going for stupid money.

Another question for ya, where do you get shorter saddle height screws. All I can seem to find locally are regular (read too long) size ones. Or is it better to just put Hipshot saddles on (which obviously already come with much shorter screws in them)?

 

[Eyelessfiend]

Which string's gauge do you use for A#?

I am running 12-60 set as of now. It came with 14-68 and it was way too much tension for me in B standard.

 

[PK317]

I'd use 0.011, 0.016, 0.026w, 0.034w, 0.046w, 0.059w, because I like lighter strings (especially plains) for A3 standard at 27"

What string do you typically use for what tuning and what scale length?

I use 10-46 for standard tuning (25.5 scale). For 27 scale baritone (tuned in B) I use 12-60, it's about the same tension.
11-59 for A standard seems to me a bit week, I had 14-64 on 27 scale for A standard. It's a matter of taste, I guess.
Don't you have some kind of micro bends when you push string a bit too hard?

I am running 12-60 set as of now. It came with 14-68 and it was way too much tension for me in B standard.

Wow, 14-68 for B standard is a bit of overkill. Well, I got once 27 scale baritone with 13-62 strings tuned in E standard from Thomann

 

[bostjan]

I use 10-46 for standard tuning (25.5 scale). For 27 scale baritone (tuned in B) I use 12-60, it's about the same tension.
11-59 for A standard seems to me a bit week, I had 14-64 on 27 scale for A standard. It's a matter of taste, I guess.
Don't you have some kind of micro bends when you push string a bit too hard?


Wow, 14-68 for B standard is a bit of overkill. Well, I got once 27 scale baritone with 13-62 strings tuned in E standard from Thomann

No.

 

[CanserDYI]

Another question for ya, where do you get shorter saddle height screws. All I can seem to find locally are regular (read too long) size ones. Or is it better to just put Hipshot saddles on (which obviously already come with much shorter screws in them)?

You cut them I do at least.

 

[NickS]

Yea, I was gonna try that too, or more likely take a dremel to them and grind em down.

 

[Vegetta]

Another question for ya, where do you get shorter saddle height screws. All I can seem to find locally are regular (read too long) size ones. Or is it better to just put Hipshot saddles on (which obviously already come with much shorter screws in them)?

I got them on amazon. 8mm the normal height is 10mm. I had some 6mm that worked ok but were a bit too short really.

This was with stringjoy baritone 12s not 14s that come stock.

 

[NickS]

Been wanting to get a bench grinder for a while, told the wife I needed it to sharpen lawnmower blades and such. Of course the main reason I got it is to grind down saddle screws. I put the screw in to my drill backwards (hex head inside the chuck), and finish it off by slowly spinning the drill to give it a nice rounded bottom to sit on the bridge plate. Problem solved, no more hunting around for screws in various sizes

 

[Vegetta]

Andertons has FSR models of this now. One is a sick olive color the other is red with gold anodized pickguard

 

[Adieu]

Nah, tele bode + P90s and even the oddball pickguard all seem to be intentional anti-modder measures imho

 

[wheresthefbomb]

Really pleased with mine still, though I plan to buy a set of SD Soapbars at some point.

Anyone know where I'd look for a bridge upgrade? I have a spare chrome hipshot bridge I was hoping to put on, but it's smaller than the stock one and I'd be left with some ugly holes. Maybe I'll just buy some hipshot saddles, what do y'all think?

Will also be replacing the nut, pots, switch, and shielding the cavities at some point.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Really pleased with mine still, though I plan to buy a set of SD Soapbars at some point.

Anyone know where I'd look for a bridge upgrade? I have a spare chrome hipshot bridge I was hoping to put on, but it's smaller than the stock one and I'd be left with some ugly holes. Maybe I'll just buy some hipshot saddles, what do y'all think?

Will also be replacing the nut, pots, switch, and shielding the cavities at some point.

Gotoh make a bridge that's a near-perfect fit. The holes might be slightly off but it should still mount fine.

 

[Hoss632]

I bet these are a ton of fun. I'd swap the bridge pick up to a Bare Knuckle Pig 90 and have a blast.

 

[Vegetta]

I bet these are a ton of fun. I'd swap the bridge pick up to a Bare Knuckle Pig 90 and have a blast.

I wouldn't mind trying some other P90s but the stock ones actually sound good enough to me that i haven't been in any rush to upgrade. If I could find a good noiseless one I think I would jump on that right quick tho.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Duncan has a stacked P90 that’s pretty dang good!