Comments on: REVIEW: Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:04:16 +0000

This is simply a fantastic review. I had always wanted to do what the pros do and get an old strat and modify it with modern playability, but of course I don’t have $5000 to do it. So you covered all the relevant points in your review, so now I know that the Fender EJ strat should be high on my list of guitars to try out. I really appreciate it!!

By: The Dudeist

The Dudeist — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:10:00 +0000

I actually bought this rig in Dec. 2005 – I normally don’t go for this review kinda thing but have to on this one with the amount of comments I have received recently when bringing the rig out publically.

At the time I had an intensive travel schedule and used my spare time to comb through every music store I could get to on the road – needless to say I never found any magical rig hidden in a pawn shop /ma pa music store etc anywhere in this nation- go figure that I was killing time at a local GC fiddling with a SRV model, which I liked but not all the marketing of it – the guy said if I like that then try this – that is when he rolled the ladder over and at the very top almost out of view was an EJ (sunburst model) – exactly as in the review – I strummed a few chords and ripped a few tongues and said “Ok lets wrap this up” he said to try it plugged in – I said no need – it was that awesome..

Anyways it is all that everyone (who can hang with v neck- 12″radius, nitro stickyness, etc) says it is – and even though all reviews I have read don’t go into any details about the PUs – besides the classic bell tones associated with EJ, I detect a hint of CBS ’65 greybottoms (piano sound) when bridge tone is around 6 / neck tone 10 with selector set on neck – you can also get a quasi humbucker (thinking more specifically SG) with bridge tone at 0 / neck at 8-10 and middle PU is selected – still experimenting with tone – what a beautiful rig to do so with….

By: robertkoa

robertkoa — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:18:17 +0000

Waiting for the Rosewood model and hoping for the same high resonance and sustain.Only played 2 maple board EJs but does it seem like the back of the neck v to c shape has been softened slightly(a good thing for me)? I p0ersonally prefer necks that are consistene all over rather than changing shape.

By: Jaws

Jaws — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:10:14 +0000

I returned mine. I bought it for the 12″ radius and the polished frets, but I counld not handle the “soft V”. It was one of the most uncomfortable guitars I have played. I practiced at a studio with my band at the time and the EJ sounded phenomenal through every amp from fender to Marshall. Build quality was also excellent. I just could not grip the neck. Pity.

By: Randy Cobb

Randy Cobb — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:48:15 +0000

GREETINGS-
Came across your site and read what ya’ll think about Eric Johnson’s Fender Strat.
I met Eric at The Hop in Fort Worth where he was play’in with his band
“THE ELECTROMAGNETS.” He was 17 or 18. When I came out of the “COMA” that their MUSIC produced in my “cells” I be-friended him and began learning about his take on gear, life, etc. Eric is either on his way to a gig AFTER PRACTICING all day, or on his way home to PRACTICE. I have had my Strats set-up like his for a while now.
When I played Fenders “EJ” strat (which I bought) I can say that it is not only the best Strat that is offered for purchase at a fair price – it is TRUE to what I know to be his preference in how he sets his various Strats up as well. I’m SURE that he can hear some strange harmonic or “FREQ” oddity in a couple of em’, but being the
run of the mill “AIR-BREATHING MAMAL” I am – well – it is the BEST STRAT not priced out in the “UN-OBTAIN’IUM” world.
It’s just as good as you can get – so – “GET ONE!”
Enough outt’a me-
Thanx to Fender and Eric for their time and effort! ( and for making me sound ok!)
rc

By: Jim "Shredder" L

Jim "Shredder" L — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:22:20 +0000

The search is over! I’ve drooled over the EJ strat for over a year and now I’m a proud owner. I’ve played them all and can honestly say that this guitar will never get lost under the bed collecting dust. Tone, sustain, playability, look’s, it has it all. I play it through a JCM 800 2210 model. It dosn’t sound any better than this!…Thank you EJ!

By: Cary

Cary — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:47:44 +0000

Randy,

Congratulations on your EJ Strat :) Unless the retailer changed them out (doubtful) the guitar should be strung with a set of Fender Super 250R Nickel Plated Steel strings, Gauged: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046

I just bought a bunch of these from Musician’s Friend… they’re only about $3 a pack…

By: Randy Tribble

Randy Tribble — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:07:33 +0000

I’ve played on a lot of guitars in my time, and have been a big fan of gibson for years, but this EJ strat of mine sings. I would love to know what strings were put on this guitar from fender I don’t want to change a thing .

By: guitarBlog

guitarBlog — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:34:46 +0000

Well, I’ve seen it hanging on the wall at GC, but wasn’t in the market for another strat. Now I’ll be going this weekend just to jam on it. Thanks for the great info!

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 05:43:38 +0000

My opinion is still that this is the best “production” Stratocaster that Fender offers….and I too have felt the resonance of the Visa card… but was lured away by the hope of finding a hand made Bill Nash Timewarp like the one my buddy has (which cost him approximately the same as the “production” EJ Strat)…which played more “worn in” and definitely had a twangy-er tone that the EJ. I ended up ordering my Tele from ThisOldGuitar.net instead.

I found out a couple of days ago that a colleague at work plays and collects….and has a 52 tele and a 64 strat…both authentic, and only one owner. In many parts, the value of those two instruments buys a nice house. He even has a signed picture of Leo Fender holding his tele. I can’t wait to jam with him in the coming weeks. I’ll get permission from him to post the pics in the forums…. but they are sweet.

By: Theguitarist

Theguitarist — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 01:24:09 +0000

Personally, it’s my favorite instrument i’ve ever played from Fender. It sounded exactly how I wanted it to sound, felt like I wanted it to feel, and did exactly what I wanted.

By: Stratoblogster

Stratoblogster — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:58:29 +0000

Great review Cary!! I really like the EJ Strat too. In addition to the staggered posts eliminating the need for trees, the headstock face is scooped in more than the standard.

I tried a white one right off the wall at GC a few months ago, and it was so light and resonant. The resonance was extending to the Visa card in my wallet– I could actually feel it in my hip. Then a sudden phase cancellation from someone playing Stairway enabled me to escape to the parking lot unscathed, where my wife was chewing on a romance novel. Literally. The paperback was in her mouth, with a packet of Arbys horsey sauce. She felt the resonance too.