Eric Johnson Strat $999 at GC

I know of Eric Johnson, and like his music. I have only seen him once, a long time ago on ACL. His Strat did not seem to be anything different visually, so does it have special circuitry? A fourth pickup? Koa wood fret board? What makes any Strat worth $1700 (that was made after the buyout)?

Obviously I am somewhat out of touch here, but I know about a year ago, Fender Strats weren’t that expensive at GC. Has there been a substantial price increase in just the last year?

The EJ Strat is a special instance. Fender has been almost genetically incapable of putting out an accurate reissue or a truly playable Strat. EJ is a bit picky (in the way Hitler was a bit anti-semitic) and they took his guitar apart and measured like mad. He had say-so over most if not all of it.

Most people I know who have picked one up love the thing to death. It apparently has the `mojo’.

You are correct about prices though. I’m pretty sure they have a Deluxe, Standard, and Something Else. They’re made in the US, Mexico, and Asia (I think - it’s hard to keep up). The non-endorsement guitars are reasonably priced.

ADDENDUM: the $999 price is on EJ Strats within certain dates. They’re being blown out because there’s a new EJ series coming up. Largely limited to on-hand and stores that are allowed to carry them. But make the call - it’s worth it.

FYI: If you don’t do this already,

On Any Strat, adjusting the bass side of the neck PU Down so that the top of the cover is just under 1/8 inch above the Pickguard will clean out a lot of the unwanted harmonic confusion/warble on your E,A and D strings which become a Pain from the 10th fret on up, And what you’ll lose in output isn’t worth worrying about in trade for chords, and single notes, that are more distinctly in tune.

The EJ Strat is Fender’s most expensive production model before the Custom Shop level guitars. It probably also incorporates the best features. Since the above post was written, a rosewood fretboard model came out and is priced about $600 over the standard maple which also saw a 30% price increase in Feb. 09.

If you can get any EJ Strat now for within $1500, you’re doing well. Lots of used stuff regularly on eBay. If you’re not taking a hit financially, it’s a buyer’s market for hi-end guitars.

So I hear - thanks.
Of course they’re not making any lefties, but I’m used to that. To be honest, I’m not all that crazy about the neck. Everyone I know with one loves it though.

Naturally we’d all do better to concentrate less on exact hardware and more on our playing. This will get us MUCH closer to EJ than a signature Strat :)

p.s. Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face. It’s THE one.