Fender John 5 Phantom Telecaster Black Electric guitar

Fender John 5 Phantom Telecaster Black — A Modernized Signature Tele for Hard Rock

The Fender John 5 Phantom Telecaster Black is an Artist Signature model designed in collaboration with one of the most in-demand guitarists in modern rock. A lifelong Telecaster fanatic and advocate, John 5 created this outrageously modernized machine to embody everything he loves about the Tele while pushing it into bold new territory for a new generation of hard rock players. Finished in commanding black with a matching headcap, the Phantom pairs the unmistakable Telecaster silhouette with a decidedly modern performance setup: high-output DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers, a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo and a stripped-down control layout that keeps the focus on the music and the moment.

What Sets the John 5 Phantom Apart from a Standard Telecaster

Unlike a traditional Telecaster with a fixed bridge and single-coil pickups, the Phantom is built around a Floyd Rose FRTS2000 Special Series tremolo and two DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers. The double-locking system clamps the strings at the nut and at the bridge, opening the door to extreme pitch manipulation and dive-bomb theatrics. The controls are reduced to a single master volume knob and a kill switch that cuts the signal for as long as it is engaged — ideal for the scratch and stutter effects integral to modern playing. A custom neck plate featuring John 5's original artwork leaves no doubt about the instrument's pedigree.

Nyatoh Body with Matching Headcap — A Clean, All-Black Aesthetic

The body is crafted from Nyatoh and finished with a gloss urethane top and a satin urethane back. An elegant matching painted headcap complements the sleek black finish, while black hardware, black pickup covers, black Speed knobs, a black switch tip and a 1-ply anodized pickguard tie the instrument together for a clean, cohesive look.

• Body Material: Nyatoh — solid body with classic Telecaster shape
• Body Finish: Gloss Urethane Top, Satin Urethane Back — glossy front with a smooth-feeling back
• Hardware: Black — matches the finish and headcap for an all-black look
• Pickguard: 1-Ply Anodized — sleek single-layer guard in keeping with the dark aesthetic

Maple Neck with 12" Radius Ebony Fingerboard — Easy Chording and Effortless Bends

A maple neck with a Custom John 5 Medium "C" profile is comfortable for all playing styles, and its satin finish keeps the back of the neck smooth during long sets. The ebony fingerboard uses a flatter 12" radius for easier chording and effortless bends. 22 Narrow Tall frets, white dot position inlays and white side dots complete the neck, which is attached with a 4-bolt neck plate.

• Neck Material: Maple — Custom John 5 Medium "C" profile with satin finish
• Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm (12") — flatter curvature for chords and bends
• Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5") — classic Fender tension and attack
• Frets: 22 Narrow Tall — precise note articulation
• Nut Width: 43 mm (1.69") — Floyd Rose Special locking nut

DiMarzio D Activator Pickups and Floyd Rose Tremolo — High-Gain Power with Tuning Stability

The HH configuration pairs two DiMarzio D Activator humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions. Specifically voiced to duplicate the impact of active pickups but with enhanced dynamics, they deliver the high-output, high-gain tones John 5 is known for, with tight low-end response, harmonically rich modern crunch and searing clarity that cuts through any mix. A 3-position toggle switches between the pickups. The Floyd Rose FRTS2000 double-locking 2-point tremolo and deluxe cast/sealed locking tuners provide excellent tuning stability and sustain throughout the most aggressive pull-ups and dive bombs.

• Pickups: DiMarzio D Activator (neck and bridge) — high-output humbucking tone with modern crunch
• Controls: Master volume, 3-position toggle, kill switch — streamlined layout for fast switching and stutter effects
• Bridge: Floyd Rose FRTS2000 Double Locking 2-Point Tremolo — extreme pitch bends without losing tune
• Tuning Machines: Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking — solid tuning stability under heavy tremolo use
• Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.009–.042) — light gauge for easy bending

The Right Guitar for John 5 Fans, Hard Rock Players and Tremolo Enthusiasts

This signature Telecaster is the right choice for players who want the Tele silhouette with a thoroughly modern hard rock setup. It suits guitarists who play heavy rock and metal and use high-gain tones, dive bombs and kill-switch stutter effects as part of their vocabulary. The double-locking tremolo appeals to anyone who wants aggressive whammy work without sacrificing tuning stability, while the all-black look with matching headcap stands out on any stage.

John 5 and the Phantom Telecaster — A Lifelong Love for the Tele

From his early days as a sought-after session player to his legendary runs with David Lee Roth, Mötley Crüe and Rob Zombie, John 5 has spent nearly three decades cementing his place as one of the most in-demand guitarists on the planet. His devotion to the Telecaster has been a constant throughout that career, and the Phantom is its most modern expression yet — part of the John 5 Telecaster collection alongside the white Ghost model, designed to bring his distinctive style and performance to more players.