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Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
VS
Playability
75
Sound
71
Build
58
Value
78
Score
68
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Playability
72
Sound
67
Build
54
Value
74
Score
64
FIND IT ON:
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Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT vs Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT over Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Thin U vs C Shape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickups Brand
Gretsch vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Pickups
HH vs SS
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 27'' (685.8mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
78 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster over Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
C Shape vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Pickups
SS vs HH
Beautiful cleans
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Bigsby Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
27'' (685.8mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Avg. Weight
7.55lbs (3.4kgs) vs 8.3lbs (3.8kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT vs Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron vs Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron vs Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT vs Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster

Fretboard Wood
Laurel
Same Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT is probably the better product overall with its final score of 68 compared to the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster is the better choice.

The Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2020 Electromatic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Chambered Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B50 bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 8.05lbs (3.7kgs) and 8.55lbs (3.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2020 Paranormal series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail bridge
  • C Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 7.2lbs (3.3kgs) and 7.9lbs (3.6kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Winner: Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT.

Pickup Configuration

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT has an HH configuration while the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster has SS pickups.

Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

On the other hand, SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

Pickups Quality

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's switch options
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 71
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Pickups 70
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 67

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT compares to the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Synthetic Bone nuts. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's brige is a Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's are Die-Cast while the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's are Vintage-Style

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
Quality of materials 60
Features 60
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 58
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 54

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Nut Width
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Nut Width
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Nut Width
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 1mm (0.038'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's Scale Length
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's Scale Length
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's Scale Length
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster has the longest scale: 27". The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT is only 24.6" long. This is a 2.4'' (61mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Neck Profile
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's neck profile
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Neck Profile
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Frets Size
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's Frets Size
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster Frets Size
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 75
Fender Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT vs Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
General Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Jet FT Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster
Brand: Gretsch Fender Squier
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH SS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Electromatic Paranormal
Colors: Black, Blue, Green, Red, Gray Sunburst, Green
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Chambered Mahogany Poplar
Bridge: Bigsby B50 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Die-Cast Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Laurel Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 24.6" 27"
Shape: Thin U C Shape
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 9.5"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 41.9mm (1.65'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Soapbar Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 3 1
Tone Controls: 1 1