From the Fender Phantom and Ghost to the Fender Custom Shop “Phantom”, the New Collection Spans Multiple Price Points, Bringing John 5’s Distinctive Design and Performance to More Players
Today, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and the Fender Custom Shop (FCS) announce three new signature Telecaster models celebrating the genre-defying artistry of John 5: the Fender John 5 Phantom Telecaster, Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster and Fender Custom Shop John 5 “Phantom” Telecaster. Each of these Telecaster models captures a different facet of his technical prowess, unmistakable style and musical versatility, bringing his signature sound and design to more players across a range of price points.
“I don’t know if the Telecaster picked me or I picked it. I was so drawn to that shape,” said John 5. “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.”
John 5’s approach to the Telecaster showcases the instrument’s boundless versatility, pushing its iconic design into bold new territory. Equally at home with distortion-drenched shredding and country chicken-picking, John 5 has spent his career proving there’s no genre, style or vibe off limits. A lifelong Telecaster devotee, his technically demanding, theatrical playing has made him one of rock’s most distinctive guitarists.
Born John William Lowery, he picked up guitar after being inspired by a Telecaster, the banjo and guitar virtuosos before heavy metal propelled him toward a professional career. He began session work in Los Angeles at 17 and went on to perform with artists including David Lee Roth, Mötley Crüe and Rob Zombie. With 11 studio albums and a career defined by his genre-defying approach, John 5 continues to push the Telecaster, and guitar playing itself, beyond convention.
“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,” said Justin Norvell, Fender Chief Product Officer, Guitars. “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.”
The three signature models translate John 5’s sound and visual style into distinct instruments, from the Fender lineup to the Fender Custom Shop:
- 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. - 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. - 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 has always pushed the Custom Shop to think beyond the traditional Telecaster blueprint,” said Chase Paul, Fender Custom Shop Director. “From the single-bound body with Ultra Contours to the single volume control and killswitch, this guitar is a true reflection of his playing style. It’s a great example of what’s possible when the Custom Shop works directly with an artist to bring their vision to life.”
Together, the three new signature Telecaster models celebrate John 5’s longstanding relationship with Fender and his ability to push the instrument across musical boundaries. From the Phantom’s aggressive performance features to the Ghost’s striking design and the Custom Shop’s premium craftsmanship, the collection offers players new ways to explore his distinctive approach to the Telecaster.
