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Average Price: $649

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Squier J5 Telecaster, a guitar that blends the iconic Telecaster design with the unique flair of legendary guitarist John 5. This solid body electric guitar is crafted to deliver both versatility and style, making it an essential addition to any musician's collection. The alder body provides a balanced tonal foundation, while the custom humbucker pickups—an Alnico at the neck and a ceramic at the bridge—ensure a powerful, dynamic sound that can handle everything from smooth blues to hard-hitting rock.

The J5 Telecaster stands out with its sleek aesthetics, featuring a headstock that matches its black finish, cream body binding, and a single-ply polished stainless steel pickguard. The maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, comfortable playing experience, allowing you to explore complex riffs and solos with ease. Whether you're playing on stage or recording in a studio, this guitar is designed to meet the demands of any musical setting.

Join a community of passionate musicians and elevate your sound with the Squier J5 Telecaster—where craftsmanship meets innovation.

Key Features:

  • Signature model of John 5
  • Solid alder body with a matching black finish headstock
  • Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
  • Custom humbucker pickups: Alnico neck, ceramic bridge
  • Cream body binding and polished stainless steel pickguard
  • Chrome volume knobs

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 is the neck profile like on the Squier J5 Telecaster?

The Squier J5 Telecaster features a modern "C" neck profile, which is comfortable and versatile, suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Squier J5 Telecaster's pickups?

The Squier J5 Telecaster is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, delivering powerful, full-bodied tones ideal for rock and metal genres.

Is the Squier J5 Telecaster suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Squier J5 Telecaster is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound, making it an accessible choice for new players.

What is the fretboard material of the Squier J5 Telecaster?

The fretboard of the Squier J5 Telecaster is made from either laurel or rosewood, providing a smooth playing surface and warm tonal qualities.

Does the Squier J5 Telecaster have a string-through body design?

Yes, the Squier J5 Telecaster features a string-through body design, enhancing sustain and resonance for a richer sound.

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

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Squier John 5 Gold Tele - Special Guest Review

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Rob Chapman

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Quick Review of J5 Telecaster Squier (John 5 Tele)

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Video thumbnail for Squier - J5 John 5 Signature Telecaster Demo at GAK by GAK

Squier - J5 John 5 Signature Telecaster Demo at GAK

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GAK

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

UNBOXING The Squier J5 Telecaster From Fender

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Rob Arnold

Video thumbnail for SQUIER J5 TELECASTER FROST GOLD by MUSIMASTER TV

SQUIER J5 TELECASTER FROST GOLD

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Video thumbnail for Squier J5 Telecaster Electric Guitar Black Demo by Martin Mendez

Squier J5 Telecaster Electric Guitar Black Demo

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Video thumbnail for Squier Telecaster J5 by javivela

Squier Telecaster J5

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javivela

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound, suitable for genres from country to metal

  • Comfortable, fast neck allows for low action

  • Unique frost gold color with blemish-free finish

  • Quality build, punches above its weight class

  • Resonant body with evident sustain

  • Stock pickups offer a range from heavy to mellow

  • Stays in tune perfectly

  • Independent volume controls mimic Les Paul features

  • Lightweight yet surprisingly solid feel

CONS

  • Bad grounding at volume knobs reported by multiple users

  • Lack of tone control limits on-the-fly sound adjustments

  • Heavier than it appears

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Squier J5 Telecaster.

Build quality

  • Owners praise its robust build, noting it plays fast and handles metal genres well.

    Source
  • The Frost Gold finish is noted for being a fingerprint magnet, especially if you tend to anchor your pinky on the pickguard.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Locking tuners and pickup swaps are common; users frequently customize pickguards and controls for enhanced performance.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite owning high-end models like US Fenders and Gibsons, some prefer the Squier J5 for its playability.

    Source
  • One user expressed a strong desire to add this model to their collection upon discovering its existence, emphasizing its appeal to fans of John 5.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Described as a "metal machine," it's favored for genres requiring fast, aggressive playing styles.

    Source
  • Owners confirm that while the J5 Telecaster is versatile, achieving a punk or grunge sound also heavily depends on the amp and effects used.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The J5 Telecaster's two humbucker pickups excel with overdrive and distortion, making it suitable for punk and grunge music, more so than a standard Telecaster.

    Source
  • Some owners are surprised by the unconventional placement of the pickup switch on the J5 Telecaster, which may not be immediately noticeable.

    Source

Comparisons

  • An owner compared the Squier J5's aesthetic appeal to a blue sparkle Tele with a mirror scratchplate, highlighting its standout visual design.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mooche

Great guitar, heavy sounds from a Tele

If you're into Tele's like me this is the perfect "get heavy" sort of guitar. I love the feel and neck profile of a Tele. Being the signature of a great guitar player like John 5 is just a bonus. I'm one complaint is that the two knobs are different volumes for the individual pickups. This allows for doing some Les Paul type kill switch stuff, but it means I cannot change the tone of the guitar at all. I'd like to be able to roll off the high end without having to change an EQ setting on an amp/pedal.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John 5 uses Squier J5 Telecaster

John 5

Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, John 5 talks about his signature Squier Telecaster, the Squier J5 Telecaster. At 1:40, he says, "The guitar is just like my main Telecaster exactly. I mean, the exact same neck. The pickups are different, but the exact same feel and it sounds incredible. I mean, you can't really tell the difference in the sound."

See how Joe Trohman uses Squier J5 Telecaster

Joe Trohman

Guitarist

Fall Out Boy

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo from a 2013 concert, Joe Trohman is seen playing a Squier J5 Telecaster.

See how Ross Lynch uses Squier J5 Telecaster

Ross Lynch

Guitarist, Singer

R5

...
Verified via Twitter

In this picture posted on twitter, you can see Ross playing a Squier J5 Telecaster.

2 alternative and related items for Squier J5 Telecaster, curated by the Equipboard community.

Fender Telecaster John 5 Signature

$1,473.72 - $4,875.00

similar sound high-end alternative

Made in Mexico version of Fender John 5 Telecaster

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