The Jack White Triplecaster is FINALLY here and it was so worth the wait – here’s everything you need to know…
If you’re fan of Jack White, you will have seen the Triplecaster in action before; the guitar has been a labor of love for a good many years. Jack has been modding Telecasters with all kinds of crazy things for the past 5+ years or more.
And by crazy, I mean adding in things you’d never normally find on a Fender – a Drop D switcher, a kill switch, three distinct pickups, a Bigsby bridge.
Most assumed Jack’s take on the Tele would never see the light of day. But the day has finally come: the Jack White Triplecaster is now available to buy – although it’ll cost you an absolute PACKET to acquire with a price tag around $3499…
Here’s why – if you’re flush with Benjamins – the Triplecaster could well be the guitar you should buy next…
Jack White Triplecaster: Everything You Need To Know
Design and Construction
Starting with its foundation, the Triplecaster boasts a chambered ash body that gives it a resonant tone with punchy dynamics, ideal for White’s high-energy style.
The neck is maple with a soft “V” profile, finished in satin urethane to feel smooth and fast in your hands. It’s designed for a modern playability, thanks to a 12″ radius maple fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets—great for effortless bending and comfortable chording.
Pickup Configuration
Here’s where it gets interesting: the Triplecaster’s triple-pickup setup is unlike anything you’ll find on standard Fender models:
- Neck: CuNiFe Wide Range humbucker
- Middle: JW-90 single-coil
- Bridge: Custom Jack White humbucker
This configuration creates a palette of tones from warm and rich to sharp and edgy, perfect for Jack White’s versatile playing style. Fender’s pickup wizard Tim Shaw meticulously voiced each pickup, ensuring they work seamlessly together for a truly dynamic range.
Electronics and Controls
The video above shows how the concept of the Triplecaster has progressed from what is essentially a Frankenstein Made In Mexico Tele to the production model we have today.
The controls and pickup selectors have been completely overhauled, but somethings remain in place like Stutter kill switch.
The controls on the Triplecaster are as innovative as its tone. Fender equipped it with an array of switches and knobs to give players total sonic freedom:
- 3-way toggle switch for pickup selection
- Master volume and tone controls
- Arcade-style “Stutter” kill switch for rhythmic effects
- Unique 3-way toggle switch offering:
- No signal (up): Silences the guitar.
- Normal operation (middle): Runs through the volume and tone controls.
- Direct-To-Jack mode (down): Bypasses volume and tone controls for a raw, aggressive sound.
This setup gives you quick access to a range of tones and effects, making it a flexible tool for live performance or recording.
Hardware
Every hardware component on the Triplecaster is chosen for durability and style, amplifying both its performance and aesthetic appeal:
- Bigsby B-5 Vibrato: This is a classic piece of guitar hardware that lets you change the pitch of notes or chords by gently pushing or pulling on a lever (often called a “whammy bar”). When you use the Bigsby, you can create a slight “wobble” or “vibrato” effect on your notes. This is perfect for adding texture to your playing and gives a cool, vintage sound that Jack White is known for. The Bigsby B-5 is known for its sturdy design, so it can handle frequent use without affecting the guitar’s tuning stability.
- Hipshot Xtender: Tuning down to Drop D (where the lowest string is tuned down from E to D) is super common in rock and blues. The Hipshot Xtender makes it easy to switch between standard tuning and Drop D tuning with just a flick of a switch, saving you from needing to re-tune manually. This feature is great if you like experimenting with different tunings or want a quick way to jump into deeper, heavier sounds.
- 3-Saddle Bridge with Compensated Steel Saddles: The bridge is where the guitar strings are anchored, so a quality bridge is crucial for good sound and tuning stability. The Triplecaster’s bridge has three saddles (small pieces on the bridge that each string rests on) made from steel. Steel saddles give a sharp, bright tone and help maintain tuning better over time. The “compensated” aspect means each saddle is adjusted to improve intonation (making sure each note is in tune as you move up the neck). This might sound technical, but in practice, it means your chords and notes will sound more accurate across the fretboard, making it a friendlier experience for newer players.
- White Powder-Coated Hardware: Hardware is typically made of metal and can be coated to protect it from wear and tear, but Fender went a step further by giving the Triplecaster’s hardware a white powder-coat finish. Not only does this look unique and stylish, giving the guitar a cohesive and striking appearance, but it also adds durability. The powder coating protects the metal from corrosion and scratches, meaning your guitar will look fresh and perform well for years.
Why It Matters for Newer Players
Each of these components isn’t just about making the guitar look cool—though they definitely help with that. They’re carefully selected to give the Triplecaster reliable tuning, varied tonal options, and an iconic look. If you’re just getting into guitars, having hardware like the Bigsby or the Hipshot Xtender opens up fun, creative ways to shape your sound without needing extensive technical skills. Plus, durable hardware means less time worrying about repairs or re-tuning, letting you focus on playing and developing your style.
In short, the Triplecaster’s hardware is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players, blending visual appeal with functional perks that make playing smoother and more versatile.
Aesthetic Features
Jack’s been working on this guitar for AGES. You can see a prototype model he used during the recording of the last Raconteurs album. It shares many attributes with the official Triplecaster, although the production unit is a lot sharper looking, decked out in ebony and white.
The production model Triplecaster comes with the following design elements / touches that combine to give it a totally unique aesthetic.
- Sleek black finish
- Custom engraved neck plate
- Unique dot inlays for a vintage feel
- White powder-coated hardware, covering everything from the armrest and strap buttons to the truss rod cover
Release Date & Price
The Triplecaster is now available to buy. It’ll cost you $3499 in the USA and £3499 in the UK. And remember: it’s a limited edition run, so once it’s gone it’s literally gone. Given the pull of Jack and the way this thing looks and plays, I’d expect most places to be selling out by the close the of the week.
The Triplecaster forms part of the broader Jack White Collection, which also includes the Jack White Pano Verb Amplifier and the Jack White TripleSonic Acoustasonic guitar.
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