John 5 has spent much of his career showing fans just how far a Fender Telecaster can go. From distortion-heavy shredding to country chicken-picking, there doesn’t seem to be much outside this guy’s reach. Now Fender and the Fender Custom Shop are celebrating that versatility with three signature models, bringing his distinctive style to players across a range of price points.
Announced October 6, the collection includes the John 5 Phantom Telecaster, John 5 Ghost Telecaster and Fender Custom Shop John 5 “Phantom” Telecaster. And to mark the occasion, John 5 has released a new song and video appropriately titled “Phantom.”
“I don’t know if the Telecaster picked me or I picked it. I was so drawn to that shape,” John 5 said. “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.”
For fans familiar with his playing, the connection makes perfect sense. The Telecaster may have deep roots in country music, but John 5 has never seemed particularly interested in keeping it within any one musical boundary. These new models give that familiar shape some serious firepower.
John 5 Phantom Telecaster
Finished in black with a matching headstock, the Phantom pairs DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers with a Floyd Rose FRTS2000 Special Series tremolo. It is built for high-output tones and the kind of pitch-bending work that has become part of John 5’s unmistakable approach to the instrument.
The controls keep things simple: one volume knob and a killswitch. There is plenty here for players who like their guitars straightforward and ready to get loud.
John 5 Ghost Telecaster
The Ghost takes a different visual direction with an Arctic White finish, matching headstock, chrome hardware and red accents. Underneath that finish is a nyatoh body, with a pair of DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers handling the high-gain side of things.
Like the Phantom, the Ghost features a single volume control and killswitch, keeping the focus on the performance. Fender says its return to the lineup puts John 5’s signature design within reach of more players.
Fender Custom Shop John 5 “Phantom” Telecaster
For those looking to take things a little further, the Custom Shop Phantom brings a more extensive set of appointments. Its gloss black, two-piece select alder body features Ultra Contours, paired with a maple neck, Modern “C” profile and ebony fingerboard.
The fingerboard has a 10–14-inch compound radius and 22 medium jumbo frets, while DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers and a Floyd Rose Original double-locking tremolo handle the sound and pitch work. Black hardware, locking tuners, Luminlay side dots and a satin urethane neck finish round out the package.
New Music to Go with the Guitars
John 5 is giving fans something new to listen to as well. The video for “Phantom” was filmed by Mike Savage and features drummer Joey Aguirre, with Barry Pointer mixing the track.
The song follows his latest album, Ghost, which includes “Hollywood Story,” “Fiend,” “Deviant,” “Moon Glow” and “You Me and the Devil Make Three.” “Hollywood Story,” by the way, looks back at the first time John 5 picked up a guitar and the journey that followed.
Fans looking to add Ghost to their record collection can also find limited-edition vinyl in green splatter, red fire splatter and opaque red, along with exclusive T-shirt bundles.
Whether you play yourself or just appreciate watching someone push an instrument to its limits, give “Phantom” a look and check out what John 5 and Fender have put together.
Music, merchandise and tour information: John-5.com