John 5 and Fender have teamed together to release three new signature Telecasters. The new guitars include the John 5 Phantom Telecaster, the John 5 Ghost Telecaster, and the Fender Custom Shop John 5 Phantom Telecaster.
The Mötley Crüe guitarist said about his choice of playing Telecasters all these years, “I don’t know if the Telecaster picked me or I picked it. I was so drawn to that shape. Ever since I was little, Fender was always just the pinnacle, the greatest, and I just wanted nothing more to have the best guitar for me and have the people enjoy it as well.”
New Signature Telecasters
Justin Norvell, Fender’s chief product officer for guitars, said of the collaboration, “John 5 is one of the most distinctive players in modern guitar, pushing the Telecaster across genres and beyond convention, and these three instruments reflect that versatility. Bringing the Ghost back into the Fender lineup puts his signature design within reach of more players. Together, this collection gives fans at every level a way to plug into his sound.”
Per Fender, the three guitars’ specs are as follows:
The John 5 Phantom Telecaster
John 5’s hard-rock take on the classic Telecaster. Finished in commanding black with a matching headstock, the Phantom pairs DiMarzio® D Activator™ humbuckers with a Floyd Rose® FRTS2000 Special Series tremolo for high-output tones and extreme pitch-bending capabilities. Its stripped-down control layout, featuring a single volume knob and killswitch, keeps the focus on playing, while the streamlined design pushes the Telecaster into bold new territory.
The John 5 Ghost Telecaster
A stripped-back, high-output Telecaster built for John 5’s signature sound. The Ghost continues the Fender line in an eye-catching Arctic White finish with matching headstock, chrome hardware and red accents. A nyatoh body gives this model a distinct feel, while DiMarzio® D Activator™ humbuckers deliver the high-output, high-gain tones John 5 is known for. Streamlined controls, including a single volume knob and killswitch, keep the design focused and performance-ready.
The Fender Custom Shop John 5 Phantom Telecaster
Crafted by the Fender Custom Shop, this modernized Telecaster pairs a gloss black two-piece select alder body with Ultra Contours and a maple neck featuring a Modern “C” profile, 10″–14″ compound-radius flat-laminated ebony fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets. A pair of DiMarzio® D Activator™ humbuckers delivers tight, high-output tones, while a Floyd Rose® Original double-locking tremolo enables extreme pitch manipulation with tuning stability. Additional premium appointments include Luminlay® side dots, black hardware, locking tuners and a satin urethane neck finish.
John 5’s signature Telecasters, which start at $1,299, are currently available via Fender.
Upcoming Tour and New Music
As part of the promotion of his new line of signature Telecasters, John 5 produced a new song titled “The Phantom” alongside a music video. The song showcases the range of the guitar, its responsiveness to a variety of picking approaches, as well as John 5’s unique country shred hybrid style.
John 5 is currently preparing for a tour through the UK set to embark on October 11th 2026 to be followed in November with a tour through Central and South America.
In conclusion, the collaboration between John 5 and Fender has resulted in three unique and versatile signature Telecasters that reflect John 5’s distinctive playing style and sound. With the release of his new song and music video, as well as his upcoming tour, John 5 is sure to excite fans and guitar enthusiasts alike.
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