Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (23)
$1,849.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (24)
$1,849.99
Fender
$1,849.99
Amazon
4.2 (28)
$1,849.99 New
$1,664.99 Used (Like New)
Reverb
5.0 (18)
$1,397.91 New
$825.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (26)
$1,849.99
zZounds
4.0 (17)
$1,849.99
Thomann
4.6 (57)
$1,539.00 $1,533.00 $6.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£1,399.00

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.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

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

What type of pickups does the Fender Jim Root Telecaster have?

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.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster?

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.

Is the Fender Jim Root Telecaster suitable for metal music?

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.

Does the Fender Jim Root Telecaster come with a case?

Yes, the Fender Jim Root Telecaster comes with a hardshell case to protect your guitar during transport and storage.

What is the fingerboard material of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster?

The fingerboard of the Fender Jim Root Telecaster is made of ebony, offering a smooth playing surface and a bright, articulate tone.

Guitar World

Guitar World

Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Video thumbnail for Fender Jim Root Telecaster by Guitar World

Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Guitar World

Guitar World

Video thumbnail for Fender® Jim Root Telecaster | Fender by Fender

Fender® Jim Root Telecaster | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Fender Jim Root Telecaster Demo/Review || A Telecaster Built for Metal!! by Agufish

Fender Jim Root Telecaster Demo/Review || A Telecaster Built for Metal!!

Agufish

Agufish

Video thumbnail for Fender Jim Root Telecaster demo by james ryan

Fender Jim Root Telecaster demo

james ryan

james ryan

Video thumbnail for How Good is the Jim Root Tele by Dustin Alford

How Good is the Jim Root Tele

Dustin Alford

Dustin Alford

Video thumbnail for Almost Perfect... The Jim Root Telecaster by Alex Radsby

Almost Perfect... The Jim Root Telecaster

Alex Radsby

Alex Radsby

Video thumbnail for Jim Root Stratocaster vs Jim Root Telecaster | USA vs Mexico Fender | Slipknot Guitar by Scott Bynoe

Jim Root Stratocaster vs Jim Root Telecaster | USA vs Mexico Fender | Slipknot Guitar

Scott Bynoe

Scott Bynoe

Video thumbnail for Fender Jim Root Telecaster Unboxing and Review by Century Road Official

Fender Jim Root Telecaster Unboxing and Review

Century Road Official

Century Road Official

Video thumbnail for Fender Jim Root Telecaster ( Slipknot ) - My Guitar Collection by Guitar Hoarder

Fender Jim Root Telecaster ( Slipknot ) - My Guitar Collection

Guitar Hoarder

Guitar Hoarder

Reviews

PROS

  • Handles a wide range of genres from metal to clean tones

  • Comes with a hard case and straplocks, ready out of the box

  • Locking tuners maintain tuning stability even during intense play

  • Tummy cut design enhances comfort during long sessions

  • EMG pickups provide a powerful and distinctive sound

  • Ebony fretboard offers smooth playability and fast action

  • High-quality build comparable to American-made models

  • Unique aesthetic with a contrasting white body and black pickguard

  • Versatile enough for both metal and traditional styles

  • Sustain is exceptional, even without amplification

CONS

  • EMG pickups may sound muddy or harsh to some players

  • Initial setup often required for optimal playability

  • Potential wiring issues like reverse pickup selector or volume knob short

  • Fingerboard cracking reported by some users over time

  • 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

  • Fender Jim Root Telecasters often have misaligned pickguards and visible glue residue, indicating potential quality control lapses during assembly.

    Source
  • Owners report that early models (2009-2013) featured a maple neck, which has since been replaced by an ebony fretboard on newer versions.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners experienced wide nut slots causing string buzz, particularly on the low E and D strings, requiring additional setup work.

    Source

User experience

  • Multiple owners reported receiving guitars with rusty frets, which impeded smooth bending and required immediate attention upon unboxing.

    Source
  • Some owners express dissatisfaction with the aesthetics of the black tuners, describing them as reminiscent of entry-level guitar hardware.

    Source

Comparisons

  • 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.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • This model comes with EMG pickups, which are favored for metal genres, offering a distinctive sound compared to traditional Telecaster pickups.

    Source
  • The guitar is equipped with EMG Het Set pickups, favored for producing a thick, heavy sound, particularly effective in drop B tuning.

    Source
  • The guitar has a minimalistic control layout with just a volume knob, appealing to players who prefer simplicity.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Potential buyers suggest negotiating prices lower than the market rate due to limited return options when buying locally.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Jim Root Telecaster is particularly recommended for metal players looking for a Fender model with a heavier sound profile.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Jim Root Telecaster Review | Guitar Jar

guitarjar.co.uk

The Fender Jim Root Telecaster is a modern twist on a classic, boasting a solid mahogany body and versatile EMG pickups for a warm, big sound with a bite. While its matte black finish may show wear quickly, the construction is reliable and the tuning holds well. Despite its design for metal, the guitar's versatility shines, offering a wide range of tones from clean, glassy sounds to tight, powerful distortion. At £699, it delivers impressive quality and versatility, rivaling even US-made Fenders. Overall, it's a beloved, inspiring instrument that might just become your go-to guitar.

positive
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 51 Ratings

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alternaut

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.

miroslav_suvada

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.

jimmarchi1

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.

miroslav_suvada

I meant sonically they fit guitar perfectly :)

jimmarchi1

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

D

A surprisingly versatile instrument!

Even though most see this instrument as a metal Guitar, it is surprisingly versatile. It's build quality is great and it is comparable to other USA made Fender guitars.

dailydoze

One of the best shred metal guitars I've ever played

I got this simply because Jim Root is my idol. It sounds beautiful and looks amazing. I'd give it a 10/10, easily.

liam_snowden

Amazing guitar

Have the white fender model I’ve had it since I was 16 and it’s been an absolute diamond for anything

distinctgrey

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.

J

Great Guitar.

I have this item but in whit the white matte finish. plays well.

gchiaren

Very cool. Is that a maple fingerboard? Doesn't look like it from the pic, looks brighter.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jim Root uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Jim Root

Guitarist

Slipknot

...
Verified via Photo

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"

-Gear talk with Jim Root".

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.

See how Duff McKagan uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Duff McKagan

Singer, Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Photo

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."

See how Van Mccann uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Van Mccann

Singer, Guitarist

Catfish and the Bottlemen

...
Verified via Flickr

Van Mccann can be seen playing a Jim Root Series Telecaster in this photo.

See how Kirk Windstein uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Kirk Windstein

Guitarist

Crowbar

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Kirk can be seen playing this guitar for the song Stone The Crow.

See how Neck Deep uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Neck Deep

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Matt West of Neck Deep uses the white Fender Jim Root Telecaster, as seen in an Instagram post by @masshew.

See how Matt West uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Matt West

Guitarist

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Photo

A white version of this guitar is used by Matt in this photo.

See how Joakim Karlsson uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Joakim Karlsson

Guitarist

Bad Omens

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Nicholas Ruffilo uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Nicholas Ruffilo

Bassist

Bad Omens

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Charlie Simpson uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Charlie Simpson

Singer, Guitarist

Busted

...
Verified via YouTube

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

See how Noah Sebastian uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Noah Sebastian

Singer

Bad Omens

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Flat White

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."

See how DanTDM uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

DanTDM

Composer

...
Verified via Twitter

In a Twitter post, DanTDM shares an image featuring a guitar with a telecaster shape, suggesting it is a Fender Jim Root Telecaster based on its distinctive colors.

See how Thomas Bredahl uses Fender Jim Root Telecaster

Thomas Bredahl

Guitarist

Volbeat

...
Verified

Thomas Bredahl, guitarist of Volbeat, is confirmed to use a Fender Jim Root Telecaster, as evidenced by photographs available on Getty Images.

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.

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Community setups

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Gear IQ 129

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