Description

Few players have pushed the Telecaster into darker, heavier territory than John 5, and the John 5 “Phantom” Telecaster is built to match his relentless approach to the instrument. Crafted by the Fender Custom Shop, this is a Telecaster reimagined for the modern virtuoso: aggressive, precise, and ready for anything from chicken pickin’ to metal.

At its core, a two-piece select alder body with Ultra Contours finished in gloss black urethane provides the resonant foundation, while a maple neck with a smooth Modern “C” profile and 10” to 14” compound-radius, flat-laminated ebony fingerboard invites effortless chording down low and clean, choke-free bending up high. Twenty-two medium jumbo frets, a 25.5” scale, and satin urethane finish give the neck the fast, articulate feel John 5’s playing demands, while Luminlay luminescent side dots keep fret positions visible on the darkest stages.

A pair of DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers gives the “Phantom” its voice, from tight, cutting bridge attack to a warm, vocal neck tone, selected via a 3-position toggle switch and controlled by a single master volume for zero distraction. Anchoring it all is a recessed Floyd Rose Original double-locking tremolo paired with an R7 locking nut and modern locking tuners, keeping the guitar dead-on in tune through the most extreme dives.

Other premium features include a Bi-Flex truss rod, 3-position toggle switch, Mother of Pearl dot inlays, 4-bolt contoured neck plate with Custom Shop “V” logo, Floyd Rose retainer bar string tree, black hardware, .009-.042 nickel-plated steel strings, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

SKU: 9239000020