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The Eric Johnson Stratocaster is an unbeatable instrument at an attainable price.

Stories about Eric Johnson's ear for details are legendary. Honestly, how many people do you know who can hear the difference between various battery types used in effects pedals? Not many. This is a guy who's somewhat meticulous about his gear, to say the least.

When I learned that Fender would be bringing about an Artist Model Eric Johnson Stratocaster, I knew it was going to be superior because, quite frankly, Eric wouldn't attach his name to something that wasn't top notch.

Since Johnson prefers a 1957 Fender Stratocaster as his main guitar, the company used that as the basis for the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, where the talented Mr. Johnson would have ultimate say on everything from the screws to the pickguard.

Features

The Eric Johnson Stratocaster uses an alder body and a one-piece quartersawn maple neck with a 12" radius on its maple fretboard with 21 American Series style frets. A string tree is eliminated through the use of staggered machine heads. The electronics are custom designed single-coil pickups with a master volume, neck tone, and bridge tone control. A thin nitrocellulose finish allows the guitar to "breathe" better over time.

Performance

The first thing Eric wanted was a superb finish that didn't hurt the guitar's natural sonorousness, so Fender chose a super-thin nitrocellulose lacquer.

The neck is also a thing of beauty, since Johnson decided on a one-piece, quartersawn maple neck. The 12" radius results in terrific playability, and the thin-skinned glossy lacquer and vintage tint give the neck a gorgeous appearance.

The pickups bear the same level of detail and care. The Fender team (with Johnson's input) previewed nineteen kinds of pickups before settling on the final 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 meet 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 taste 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 increases tuning stability.

Though it seems like an odd request, EJ also insisted that the tremolo cavity not have a cover plate. Moreover, he wanted the cavity left paint-free, insisting that this helps the vibrant qualities of the instrument.

In the end, what you have is an instrument that reflects the class and virtuosity of its architect. While it has a vintage vibe, the Eric Johnson Stratocaster is well-suited for a wide variety of genres.

What we treasured the most, aside from the playability, were the pickups. They have a vibrancy, presence, and personality that make then some of the finest Strat pickups we've ever heard. It was hard not to pull off our best "Cliffs of Dover" riffs when we strapped on the EJ Strat.

The Bottom Line

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 instrument at an attainable price. Well done, Fender!

Name of Gear: Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster

List Price: $2,599.99

Manufacturer Info: Fender Musical Instruments; fender.com

Pros: Nice pickups; resonant body; very playable; versatile array of sounds

Cons: None

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