The Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster Finally Materializes

John 5 plays a Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster
(Image credit: FMIC)

Following his previous Squier, Fender and Fender Custom Shop signature models, Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 has, again, been honored with the new John 5 Ghost Telecaster.

It’s been years in the making but this limited edition model has finally materialized. Priced $2,999.99, the new Ghost Tele features an alder body with a bound top and a single-piece maple neck – both sporting a cool Arctic White gloss urethane finish.

Loaded with a pair of DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers, Fender says the new John 5 model delivers “harmonically rich modern crunch.” Meanwhile, the DiMarzio website says these ‘buckers were deigned to “eliminate the sterile edginess commonly associated with active pickups.”

Custom-configured controls include a three-way pickup selector switch, a master volume knob and an arcade-style kill-switch for creating stuttering effects and rhythmic patterns.

Kitted out with a set of Deluxe locking tuners and a string-through-body bridge housing six individual block steel saddles, this HH Tele offers superior stability and precise intonation.

Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster

(Image credit: FMIC)

Matching red-colored appointments include a synthetic bone nut, volume knob, switch tip, pickups, body binding, tuner washers and headstock decals. Along with a mirrored pickguard, this gives the new Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster a look that is as memorable as it is individual.

Telecaster aficionado John 5 draws inspiration from a wide variety of genres including country, bluegrass, metal, rock and jazz, and so when it came to designing the Ghost model his aim was to create something versatile enough “to accommodate any playing style,” according to Fender.

“Over the span of his career, John 5 has shown that his guitar skills know no bounds in terms of genre or sound,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product at FMIC. “The Ghost Telecaster is a celebration of his iconic style, with a kill-switch that allows rapid-fire stutter effects and a chrome pickguard that completes the stunning look of this guitar.

“Beyond that, the signature capsule collection allows John 5 to give fans something that celebrates the whole visual experience of his artistry, not just his inventive guitar playing.”

This release coincides with the new John 5 leather strap, John 5 351 celluloid picks, and John 5 instrument cable.

Visit Fender for more information.

Rod Brakes

Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as GuitaristTotal Guitar, Guitar WorldGuitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.