Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster review – a bargain baritone that can get properly heavy

The Squier Paranormal range’s only baritone offers some unusual sounds for explorative players at a bargain price, but is it more jack of all trades than master of one?

A Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster lying on a wooden floor
(Image: © Future/Matt McCracken)

Guitar World Verdict

A decidedly different kind of guitar, the Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster is incredibly good value for money, providing a versatile playing experience that will suit modern metalheads just as much as it will inspire vintage tone lovers.

Pros

  • +

    Phenomenal sounding pickups

  • +

    Super playable neck profile

  • +

    Excellent tuning stability

  • +

    Fantastic value for money

Cons

  • -

    Slightly uncomfortable body carve

  • -

    No case included

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Seeing a recent rise in popularity of late thanks to the resurgence of noughties nu-metal, baritone guitars are finding their way into the arms of those players who seek the extended lows of a 7 or 8-string guitar, but still crave the familiarity in scales and chord shapes of a regular electric guitar. The Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster comes in at an excellent price point, offering the perfect entry into the most unusual of six strings. 

The Baritone Cabronita Telecaster is the cheapest 'big-brand' baritone you can get below $500/£500, with the only other option being the slightly more expensive Squier Classic Vibe Tele. If you're UK or EU-based, then there's a selection of Sub Zero and own brand baritones from Gear 4 Music and a Harley Benton Baritone from Thomann that come in cheaper, but for US guitarists there's nothing else that doesn't require you to spend a little more.

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Matt McCracken
Junior Deals Writer

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog. A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the country in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at.