John 5 posted a video of himself shredding a new song live in the studio today.
Playing his custom Fender Ghost Number Two electric guitar while sitting on a sofa — as his dog snoozes beside him — John treats viewers to more than two minutes of his signature shredding, as he plays in dead-on tight harmony with a previously recorded guitar track.
John told Guitar Player the new song is destined for his next solo album.
“This song is called ‘Fiend’ and I recorded it as a performance," he tells us.
"And a little side note: My producer Barry Pointer was working my effects, cause I wanted to play it completely al the way through and I didn’t want to mess up, ha ha ha.”
John's most recent solo album is Sinner, from 2021. Fans will agree that's long enough to wait for new material from the shred virtuoso.
The years since then have been particularly busy ones. Since releasing Sinner, John has been involved in numerous projects, including his documentary I Am John 5, which includes glowing testimonials from the likes of Joe Satriani, Rob Halford, the late Gary Rossington, Michael Anthony and Rudy Sarzo, among others.
He's also announced the opening of his Kiss museum, featuring his own personal mementoes and rare artifacts from the group's reign.
And, of course, John became a full-fledged member of Motley Crüe in 2023. And as he told Guitar Player in his July 2024 cover story, the group has been preparing new material, its first with John onboard.
“We went into the studio with [producer] Bob Rock and did some songs,” he told us. “It was really cool because it’s something I haven’t done before. We all got in the room together and played, and that’s how we tracked. It’s so unorthodox nowadays to just get in one room and play all at the same time and record at the same time. It was incredible.”
The Ghost Number Two electric guitar that John is playing was added to his arsenal when he joined the Crüe to allow him to perform guitar parts played by Mick Mars. Like John's favored models, it features a Telecaster body shape.
“My original Ghost doesn’t have a vibrato, and Mick Mars used a Floyd Rose or a tremolo on most of the Crüe’s songs, so Ghost Number Two was born.”
Like its companion, the guitar is used “on every Mötley Crüe song live and in the studio as well,” John says.
“It’s just as important as Ghost Number One, but I don’t use it as much outside of Mötley Crüe because I don’t like to rely on a tremolo; I prefer to do everything with just my hands.”
For more of John’s talents and insights, check out his five essential guitar tips for beginners and veterans guitarists alike.
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