Fender gives John 5 three new signature Telecasters, from $1,299 to Custom Shop

Fender and the Fender Custom Shop have launched three John 5 signature Telecasters: the black Phantom, the Arctic White Ghost and a $6,000 Custom Shop Phantom. The two standard models are built in Indonesia, list at $1,299.99 and use nyatoh bodies, dual DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers, a single volume control and a killswitch.

The models split at the bridge and fingerboard. Phantom gets a 12-inch-radius ebony board and a Floyd Rose FRTS2000 Special tremolo; Ghost uses a 9.5-inch-radius maple board and a six-saddle hardtail. The Custom Shop version moves to a contoured two-piece alder body, a 10-to-14-inch compound-radius ebony board, Luminlay side dots and a recessed Floyd Rose Original.

Fender says the collection is designed around John 5’s mix of heavy-gain precision, country-style picking and theatrical pitch effects. It also expands one of the company’s longest-running signature relationships with products at both production and Custom Shop price points.