Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster Review - Vintage Inspired, Modern Design
Stories about Eric Johnson's ear for details are legendary. Honestly, how many people do you know who can hear the distinction between various battery types used in effects pedals? Not many. This is a guy who's somewhat choosy about his gear, to say the least.
When Fender announced that they would be releasing an Eric Johnson Artist Stratocaster, it became immediately evident to me that EJ wouldn't put his name on anything that wasn't utterly first-rate.
Since Johnson prefers a 1957 Fender Stratocaster as his main guitar, the company used that as the foundation for the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, where the talented Mr. Johnson would have supreme say on everything from the screws to the pickguard.
For starters, the EJ Stratocaster has an ultrathin, Custom Shop-quality nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which ultimately results in more resonance since you don't have a thick coat of paint "choking" the sound.
Eric also had some definitive thoughts about what to do with the neck, which led to some great results. The fretboard uses a fast 12" radius, and the neck is a single piece of quartersawn maple, attractively finished with thin-skinned glossy lacquer and a vintage tint.
The pickups bear the same level of detail and attention. The Fender team (with Johnson's input) previewed nineteen kinds of pickups before settling on the ultimate model. Though it took some time, the payoff was worth it in the end. These pickups are world-class and some of the most intriguing pickups we have heard.
Another move to live up to EJ's attention to detail was the wiring configuration. Traditionally, Stratocaster wiring has the tone control affecting only the neck and middle pickups. Johnson's preference is to have the tone wired to affect the neck and bridge pickups, so his signature guitar reflects that preference.
The other "little" particulars ensure that you're getting a one-of-a-kind design. Not a fan of string trees, Johnson insisted that his signature guitar use staggered tuners instead, which furthers tuning stability.
The tremolo cavity is left bare as well, with no plate covering it and no paint inside the tremolo cavity, which Johnson maintains has a positive effect on the tone.
So, when you add all of these parts together, you have a guitar that surely pays tribute to its vintage roots and its designer, but with some welcome changes and well-considered changes.
The pickups have a chime, punch, and bounce that rank them, again, as some of the finest Strat pickups we've ever heard. The playability is first rate as well, so don't hold back in trying some of your "Cliffs of Dover" licks.
When you throw in the classic vintage-styled case, you've got a package that is worthy of Mr. Johnson itself. The Eric Johnson Stratocaster is an unbeatable guitar at an attainable price. Well done, Fender! - 23812
When Fender announced that they would be releasing an Eric Johnson Artist Stratocaster, it became immediately evident to me that EJ wouldn't put his name on anything that wasn't utterly first-rate.
Since Johnson prefers a 1957 Fender Stratocaster as his main guitar, the company used that as the foundation for the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, where the talented Mr. Johnson would have supreme say on everything from the screws to the pickguard.
For starters, the EJ Stratocaster has an ultrathin, Custom Shop-quality nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which ultimately results in more resonance since you don't have a thick coat of paint "choking" the sound.
Eric also had some definitive thoughts about what to do with the neck, which led to some great results. The fretboard uses a fast 12" radius, and the neck is a single piece of quartersawn maple, attractively finished with thin-skinned glossy lacquer and a vintage tint.
The pickups bear the same level of detail and attention. The Fender team (with Johnson's input) previewed nineteen kinds of pickups before settling on the ultimate model. Though it took some time, the payoff was worth it in the end. These pickups are world-class and some of the most intriguing pickups we have heard.
Another move to live up to EJ's attention to detail was the wiring configuration. Traditionally, Stratocaster wiring has the tone control affecting only the neck and middle pickups. Johnson's preference is to have the tone wired to affect the neck and bridge pickups, so his signature guitar reflects that preference.
The other "little" particulars ensure that you're getting a one-of-a-kind design. Not a fan of string trees, Johnson insisted that his signature guitar use staggered tuners instead, which furthers tuning stability.
The tremolo cavity is left bare as well, with no plate covering it and no paint inside the tremolo cavity, which Johnson maintains has a positive effect on the tone.
So, when you add all of these parts together, you have a guitar that surely pays tribute to its vintage roots and its designer, but with some welcome changes and well-considered changes.
The pickups have a chime, punch, and bounce that rank them, again, as some of the finest Strat pickups we've ever heard. The playability is first rate as well, so don't hold back in trying some of your "Cliffs of Dover" licks.
When you throw in the classic vintage-styled case, you've got a package that is worthy of Mr. Johnson itself. The Eric Johnson Stratocaster is an unbeatable guitar at an attainable price. Well done, Fender! - 23812
About the Author:
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