john 5

John 5 in 2019 with another of his flashy Teles.

Photo by Tyrel Snowden

This Tele looks flashy, but its unique wiring scheme is simple and easy to recreate.

Hello and welcome back to Mod Garage. This month, we will explore the Fender John 5 Ghost Telecaster wiring and how you can adopt it for your own Telecaster. Fender recently released this signature Telecaster in a limited edition of 600 pieces, and they quickly sold out. Before many serious musicians could grab one, collectors with big purses bought them all. So, your only chance to get one now is to look for a used one, or hope that Fender will have mercy and build some more. Or, you can read on to learn what’s inside and how to build your own version of this guitar.

Read MoreShow less

The metal-meets-chicken''-pickin'' veteran discusses his new Spanish-influenced half-acoustic solo album and we try to get him to buy Eddie Van Halen''s guitar.

Like many guitarists, John 5 moved to L.A. to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional player. But unlike the countless others who were quickly chewed up and spit out by the music industry, John 5 became one of the most successful rock guitarists of the last two decades, achieving a level of success unimaginable for most. He’s an in-demand guitarist and songwriter for some of the biggest names in the business—Ricky Martin, Salt-N-Pepa, David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie—and also maintains an illustrious career as a solo artist.

With his unique bluegrass-meets-metal style, John 5 is a bona fide guitar god. He developed his prodigious abilities through an unwavering dedication to the instrument and endless hours of rigorous practice. Like the late Randy Rhoads, John 5 would seek out guitar teachers on the road while on tour. “It had to be the right kinds of teachers, not just a rock guy who’s got a Metallica shirt on and is going to show me some licks,” John 5 clarifies. “I looked for the real guys who just know how to play one style of music, whether it’s classical or country.” He’s become extremely articulate in reversing those roles and taking on the duties of the teacher. In 2008, he released the instructional DVD, The Devil Knows My Name, and earlier this year, he released an instructional book, The Book of John, both through Hal Leonard Corporation. “It’s definitely a great book if you want to figure out certain ways that I do things,” says John.

Read MoreShow less

PG's Rebecca Dirks is On Location in Anaheim, CA, for the 2012 NAMM Show where she visits the Red Monkey Straps booth. In this segment, we get an interview with Red Monkey founder Torry Pendergrass and Red Monkey endorsee John 5 (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson).



PG's Rebecca Dirks is On Location in Anaheim, CA, for the 2012 NAMM Show where she visits the Red Monkey Straps booth. In this segment, we get an interview with Red Monkey founder Torry Pendergrass and Red Monkey endorsee John 5 (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson).