Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $751

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash your inner rock star with the Squier John 5 Telecaster, a guitar crafted in collaboration with the legendary John 5 himself, known for his work with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. This guitar seamlessly marries vintage charm with modern innovation, making it a must-have for both collectors and gigging musicians alike. The solid Alder body delivers a rich, resonant tone, while the sleek Maple neck ensures smooth playability across all styles.

The John 5 Telecaster stands out with its custom design features—an eye-catching single-ply polished stainless steel pickguard and cream body binding, which add a touch of elegance to its rugged aesthetic. The guitar's dual custom humbucker pickups, featuring an Alnico neck and ceramic bridge, provide a dynamic range of sounds from warm, creamy tones to bright, cutting leads. Whether you're shredding on stage or laying down tracks in the studio, this instrument is engineered to keep up with your creative demands.

Built for the modern musician, this Telecaster offers both aesthetic appeal and sonic versatility, making it an essential addition to your musical arsenal. Dive into a world of tone and style with a guitar that embodies the spirit of rock and roll.

Key Features:

  • Solid Alder body for resonant tone
  • Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Custom humbucker pickups (Alnico neck, ceramic bridge) for versatile sound
  • Single-ply polished stainless steel pickguard
  • Cream body binding for a touch of elegance

Product specs

Brand Squier
Model John 5 Signature J5 Telecaster
Finish Black, Frost Gold
Year 2010s
Made In China
Artist John 5
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Gold
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Laurel, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Squier Telecaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.65"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Squier Artist Series
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Squier John 5 Telecaster feature?

The Squier John 5 Telecaster is equipped with a dual humbucker pickup configuration, offering a powerful and versatile tone suitable for a variety of music genres.

Is the Squier John 5 Telecaster suitable for heavy music styles?

Yes, the dual humbucker pickups on the Squier John 5 Telecaster provide a thick, high-output sound that is ideal for heavier music styles such as rock and metal.

What is the neck profile of the Squier John 5 Telecaster like?

The Squier John 5 Telecaster features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.

Does the Squier John 5 Telecaster have a string-through body design?

Yes, the Squier John 5 Telecaster features a string-through body design, which enhances sustain and stability.

What materials are used for the fretboard on the Squier John 5 Telecaster?

The Squier John 5 Telecaster comes with either a laurel or rosewood fretboard, providing a smooth playing surface and warm tonal characteristics.

Fender

Fender

NEW John 5 Squier Tele in Frost Gold | Fender

Video thumbnail for NEW John 5 Squier Tele in Frost Gold | Fender by Fender

NEW John 5 Squier Tele in Frost Gold | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for John 5 presents the Squier® J5 Telecaster® | Fender by Fender

John 5 presents the Squier® J5 Telecaster® | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Squier John 5 Gold Tele - Special Guest Review by Rob Chapman

Squier John 5 Gold Tele - Special Guest Review

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Quick Review of J5 Telecaster Squier (John 5 Tele) by GuitaristNick

Quick Review of J5 Telecaster Squier (John 5 Tele)

GuitaristNick

GuitaristNick

Video thumbnail for Squier John 5 telecaster gold review by Guitar Safari

Squier John 5 telecaster gold review

Guitar Safari

Guitar Safari

Video thumbnail for John 5 - My Signature Fender Telecaster Squier Guitar - Gear Factor by Loudwire

John 5 - My Signature Fender Telecaster Squier Guitar - Gear Factor

Loudwire

Loudwire

Video thumbnail for Myth or Truth John 5 Signature Fender Squier Telecaster by GROC MEDIA Recording

Myth or Truth John 5 Signature Fender Squier Telecaster

GROC MEDIA Recording

GROC MEDIA Recording

Video thumbnail for UNBOXING The Squier J5 Telecaster From Fender by Rob Arnold

UNBOXING The Squier J5 Telecaster From Fender

Rob Arnold

Rob Arnold

Video thumbnail for Squier John 5 Telecaster - Demo by Metropolis Guitar MX

Squier John 5 Telecaster - Demo

Metropolis Guitar MX

Metropolis Guitar MX

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound: excels in genres from metal to country

  • Fast, comfortable neck with low action

  • Unique frost gold finish with a shiny gold pickguard

  • High-quality stock humbuckers with great tonal range

  • Resonant body with excellent sustain

  • Reliable tuning stability

  • Offers Les Paul-like features in a Telecaster body

  • Great value, outperforms higher-priced guitars

  • Excellent for cover gigs with diverse genres

  • Lightweight and beginner-friendly

CONS

  • Bad grounding at the volume knobs reported by multiple users

  • No tone control, only independent volume knobs

  • Neck finish might not suit everyone’s preference

  • Some noise with high gain settings without noise suppression

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Squier John 5 telecaster.

Build quality

  • Owners praise the guitar's robust build, noting it feels as solid as higher-end models like US Fenders and Gibsons.

    Source
  • The thick poly finish on the Jim Root model is noted to be more fragile than the Fender version, contributing to a unique worn aesthetic over time.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Many users recommend replacing stock pickups and tuners; popular choices include high-quality aftermarket pickups and locking tuners for enhanced performance.

    Source
  • It's recommended to upgrade to Hipshot locking tuners for improved tuning stability while keeping the rest of the guitar in stock condition.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is described as a "metal machine," indicating its suitability for metal genres due to its fast playability and sturdy construction.

    Source

User experience

  • Long-term users, some of whom have owned it for over a decade, maintain it's their favorite, despite owning premium models like Japanese Gretsch.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Squier John 5 Telecaster is noted for its striking visual appeal, with users often customizing elements like the pickguard to personalize aesthetics.

    Source
  • The John 5 model features a unique pickup and switching configuration allowing a kill switch effect using individual volume controls for each humbucker.

    Source
  • The model lacks a tone knob, yet maintains a rich, Les Paul-like sound, which is highlighted as a unique feature by owners.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users note that while the Fender model comes with active EMG pickups, the Squier John 5 can still rock hard with its stock passive pickups.

    Source
  • Owners describe the pickup sound as surprisingly noise-free with a rich output, comparing it favorably to a Les Paul for tonal versatility.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's noted that finding a Squier John 5 Telecaster for $400, including extras like a Roland MicroCube and hard case, is considered a "complete steal."

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
traumaad

it beat a lot of the higher named guitars i had.. no joke. i shouldn't of sold it. i'm a dope. lol

it beat a lot of the higher named guitars i had.. no joke. i shouldn't of sold it. i'm a dope. lol

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dennis LLoyd uses Squier John 5 telecaster

Dennis LLoyd

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 0:56, Dennis Lloyd can be seen using a Fender squier John 5 telecaster

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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