Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,651
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Fender Jim Root Telecaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Crafted for those who crave a heavy, modern sound, the Fender Jim Root Telecaster is a bold reimagining of a classic instrument. Designed in collaboration with Slipknot and Stone Sour's lead guitarist, Jim Root, this Telecaster defies tradition with its formidable features. At its core, the mahogany body provides a rich, resonant base, delivering a warmer, darker tone that's perfect for cutting through the mix in a hard rock or metal setting. The active EMG pickups—an EMG 81 at the bridge and EMG 60 at the neck—offer a high-output sonic palette, ideal for gritty, distorted leads and chunky rhythms that demand attention.
Visually, the Jim Root Telecaster is as striking as its sound. With a minimalist all-black hardware design and a flat finish, this guitar exudes an understated aggression that's right at home on the heaviest of stages. For enhanced playability, the guitar features a modern C-shaped maple neck with a satin finish and an ebony fingerboard, allowing for fast, smooth playing without sacrificing comfort. Whether you're delivering scorching solos or laying down relentless riffs, this Telecaster is built to let you express yourself without limits.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body for a warm, resonant tone
- Modern C-shaped maple neck with satin polyurethane finish
- 22 Dunlop 6100 jumbo frets and ebony fingerboard
- Active EMG 81/60 humbucker pickups for high-output sound
- Black hardware with Fender deluxe locking tuners
- Hardtail bridge with string-through-body design
- Single master volume control and 3-position pickup switch
- Includes a custom-fit case for safe transport
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Jim Root Telecaster |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Satin Urethane |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Modern C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | 6-Saddle Strings-through Body Hardtail |
| Tuners | Deluxe Staggered Die-cast Sealed Locking |
| Neck Pickup | EMG 60 Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | EMG 81 Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, |
| Switching | 3-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | Fender USA 250L, .009-.042 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the Fender Jim Root Telecaster have?
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The Fender Jim Root Telecaster features EMG 60 (neck) and EMG 81 (bridge) active humbucking pickups, known for delivering a powerful, high-gain sound suitable for heavy rock and metal genres.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster?
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The neck of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster has a modern "C" shape, providing a comfortable and familiar feel for players who prefer a versatile and fast-playing neck design.
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Is the Fender Jim Root Telecaster suitable for metal music?
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Yes, the Fender Jim Root Telecaster is specifically designed for metal music, featuring high-output EMG pickups and a solid mahogany body that delivers a heavy, aggressive tone.
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Does the Fender Jim Root Telecaster come with a case?
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Yes, the Fender Jim Root Telecaster comes with a hardshell case to protect your guitar during transport and storage.
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What is the fingerboard material of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster?
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The fingerboard of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster is made of ebony, offering a smooth playing surface and a bright, articulate tone.
Videos
Guitar World
Fender Jim Root Telecaster
Reviews
PROS
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Handles a wide range of genres from metal to clean tones
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Comes with a hard case and straplocks, ready out of the box
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Locking tuners maintain tuning stability even during intense play
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Tummy cut design enhances comfort during long sessions
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EMG pickups provide a powerful and distinctive sound
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Ebony fretboard offers smooth playability and fast action
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High-quality build comparable to American-made models
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Unique aesthetic with a contrasting white body and black pickguard
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Versatile enough for both metal and traditional styles
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Sustain is exceptional, even without amplification
CONS
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EMG pickups may sound muddy or harsh to some players
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Initial setup often required for optimal playability
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Potential wiring issues like reverse pickup selector or volume knob short
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Fingerboard cracking reported by some users over time
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Some players find the default EMG tone unsatisfactory and opt for replacements
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Jim Root Telecaster.
Build quality
Setup and maintenance
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Some owners experienced wide nut slots causing string buzz, particularly on the low E and D strings, requiring additional setup work.
Source
User experience
Comparisons
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The Jim Root Telecaster is often compared to the Joe Duplantier signature Pro Mod Style 2 for its tele body and neck design, but with different tonal characteristics.
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Features and functionality
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This model comes with EMG pickups, which are favored for metal genres, offering a distinctive sound compared to traditional Telecaster pickups.
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The guitar is equipped with EMG Het Set pickups, favored for producing a thick, heavy sound, particularly effective in drop B tuning.
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The guitar has a minimalistic control layout with just a volume knob, appealing to players who prefer simplicity.
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Value and pricing
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Potential buyers suggest negotiating prices lower than the market rate due to limited return options when buying locally.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 7 Reviews and 51 Ratings
151
Huge sound even before plugging in!
There are very few guitars with sustain like this one. You can feel the potential it has, even when playing without an amp. Highly recommended.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
No tone knob required. Needs heavier strings and a 9V battery.
109
Really sexy looking guitar
Bought this guitar at local store. They didn't had it immediately available so I had to wait 4 months for it. I had mixed feelings when I first plugged it in. First thing that had to go were EMG active pickups. I just really didn't like them at all. A replaced them with set of Gibson Burstbuckers 1 and 2 (I know Fender guitar with Gibson pickups? Come on!) and I found out they fit this guitar perfectly! I had instantly that full mahagony guitar sound and with further mods (I added Fender S-1 volume pot with their Super Switch) I had really versatile guitar that can sound both really really metal and on the other hand put out some beautiful blues tones. So I decided to keep it at least for a while.
40997
of course the BBs fit, hubuckers only come in a couple standard sizes these days and the primary one is Gibson size.... why wouldn't you want Gibson Humbuckers? they invented the Humbucker. In the vintage era Fender only produced the Wide Ranges and they are a different design altogether with CuNiFe magnetic polepieces, not alnico bars and a ridiculously huge housing/coil-assembly. They are cool, but no one think "humbucker and then thinks "Fender". Good call replacing the EMGs. Active setups are just another thing to break and for guitar they offer very little sonically you can' get from low output humbuckers and a boost pedal.
109
I meant sonically they fit guitar perfectly :)
40997
they'll fit most guitars, they sound pretty darned good as do Syemour's Seths, Pearlies, Antiquities and 59s ;-)
I can't imagine a guitar that a PAF style bucker would sound bad in, its a winning formula
40
Amazing guitar
Have the white fender model I’ve had it since I was 16 and it’s been an absolute diamond for anything
91
White with black pickguard
Hated the default EMG 81/60 tone. Threw in some Bareknuckle pickups, still don't like the sound. Lovely feel though.
37535
Very cool. Is that a maple fingerboard? Doesn't look like it from the pic, looks brighter.
Artist usage
Add artist
Slipknot and Stone Sour guitarist Jim Root plays a Fender Jim Root Signature Telecaster.
"My signature models are basically a Telecaster, mahogany body, string-through, hard tails, EMG 81, EMG 60 in the neck, three-way selector, one volume knob... They're essentially modeled after the custom shop model which used to be called the Flathead, which they discontinued. I love that guitar so much, we just kind of went with those sort of specs"
According to the Fender website, the signature model has an ebony fretboard, or a choice of maple on the black model, a 12" fretboard radius, medium jumbo frets, and locking tuners.
Duff talks about the guitar on this interview to premier guitar:
"I’ve also been using a recent Fender Jim Root Telecaster, the signature model of the Slipknot guitarist, for recording and performing. I yanked out that Tele’s stock active electronics and threw some Seymour Duncans in there. The combination of the mahogany body and the Duncans gives the Tele a warm sound with a great growl. Also, the guitar only has one knob—Volume. I love the simplicity of that: I don’t need anything more to fuss with when I’m singing and playing rhythm guitar at the same time."
In this video Kirk can be seen playing this guitar for the song Stone The Crow.
Matt West of Neck Deep uses the white Fender Jim Root Telecaster, as seen in an Instagram post by @masshew.
In the official music video for "The Worst In Me" by Bad Omens, Joakim Karlsson is seen playing a Fender Jim Root Telecaster, similar to the one used by his bandmate, Ruffilo.
Nicholas Ruffilo of Bad Omens uses the Fender Jim Root Telecaster as his main guitar, as seen in a photo on the band's official Instagram.
You can see him playing it at the start of the video. I know its not a regular tele as it only has one volume not a full control plate
In the livestream, originally streamed on April 20, 2019, by Noah Sebastian on Twitch, Noah Sebastian is seen playing a Fender Jim Root Telecaster. This video was re-uploaded by the YouTube user "Ghost with the most" under the Title: "Noah Sebastian Playing Guitar & Making Beats 04-20-2019."
Album Usage
The Fender Jim Root Telecaster has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Jim Root Telecaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.