The Squier Paranormal Cyclone: a Strato-Jag-a-Stang? A member of the Squier Paranormal series of guitars and basses, the Squier Cyclone is an uncanny concoction — one part Mustang, one part Stratocaster, and one part Jaguar. At first blush, this griffin-esque guitar has the visual hallmarks of a ‘Stang, with its bantam-sized poplar body. But, when you plug it in, the single-coil cry of a Stratocaster comes shooting out. Added to the mix are Jaguar-style switches for turning the Cyclone’s three-pickups individually on or off. On top of its distinctive tonal and aesthetic qualities, the Squier Cyclone is an exceptional player, with an ultra-comfy maple neck, featuring a slim “C” profile, snappy Indian laurel fingerboard, and vintage-style machine heads and a synthetic bone nut for solid intonation and tuning stability. When they first laid eyes on the Cyclone, guitarists at Sweetwater let out a collective “um…what?” But, as soon as we strapped it on and started playing, it became an instant hit. Refreshingly different and with a tone to die for, the Squier Cyclone is a left-of-center guitar you won’t want to miss! It looks like a Mustang, but… The Cyclone cops its body shape from the Mustang, one of Fender’s most unique offsets. Compact and comfortable, the Mustang became a favorite of alternative guitarists that came to prominence in the 1990s, including Kurt Cobain, PJ Harvey, and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore. These days, The 1975’s Matthew Healy has become one of the Mustang’s most enthusiast advocates. Painted in classic Fender colors with a striking aged white pearloid pickguard, The Cyclone makes the most of its inherited form. Carved from poplar, like many old school ‘Stangs, it’s lightweight and resonant, ideal for energetic players who don’t want to be bogged down by a heavy slab of tonewood dangling from their necks. With its twisted Mustang look, the Cyclone oozes with a punky, indie vibe that arouses imaginative, deviant performances.   Strat pups meet Jag Switches Digging into the Cyclone’s electronics uncovers of bizarre mashup that spits out tones unlike those of any other guitar. Designed by Fender, three alnico Strat-style single-coil pickups provide ample rhythm guitar jangle and crisp, cutting lead tones. While Jaguar-inspired switches allow you to click any of the three pickups on or off. The Cyclone includes straightforward volume and tone controls and a 6-saddle synchronized tremolo, for deep dives and warbly vibrato. And the Cyclone’s finished off with a synthetic bone nut and throwback shared-screw tuning machines to punctuate its anachronistic look. The Squier Paranormal Series To create the Paranormal series, the mad scientists at Squier broke down a selection of Fender’s most popular designs to the atomic level and smashed them together, bringing to life some of the coolest, most aberrant instruments we’ve ever seen. Flipped headstocks, Frankenstein electronics, necks on bodies to which they don’t belong — these guitars and basses break all the rules! So, if you’ve ever desired to chuck a set of P-90s into a La Cabronita, play a Mustang with the voice of a Strat, or own a J Bass dressed up as a P Bass, you’ll love the Squier Paranormal series.   Squier Paranormal Cyclone Electric Guitar Features: Three-way mashup of a Mustang, Stratocaster, and Jaguar Mustang-style poplar body in classic Fender colors 3 Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups Jaguar-style switches for turning each pickup on or off Vintage-style machine heads and 6-saddle synchronized tremolo bridge Comfortable slim “C” shaped maple neck with an Indian laurel fingerboard Synthetic bone nut and pearloid dot inlays