Stratocaster Tremolo

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February 26th, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Stratocaster Tremolo

Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster Review - Vintage Inspired, Modern Design

Stories about Eric Johnson's ear for details are well-known. 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 particular about his gear, to say the least.

When Fender declared that they would be bringing out an Eric Johnson Artist Stratocaster, it became instantly evident to me that EJ wouldn't put his name on anything that wasn't absolutely first-rate.

Since Johnson prefers a 1957 Fender Stratocaster as his main instrument, the company used that as the foundation for the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, where the gifted Mr. Johnson would have final say on everything from the screws to the pickguard.

The first thing Eric wanted was a quality finish that didn't hurt the guitar's natural resonance, 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 beautiful appearance.

The pickups bear the same level of detail and attention. The Fender team (with Johnson's input) previewed nineteen varieties 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 fascinating pickups we have heard.

The wiring configuration mimics Eric's preferred Strat modification, so the tone controls affect the neck and bridge pickup, not the common neck/middle configuration.

The headstock also lacks string trees, since Johnson asserts that they impede tuning constancy. Instead, the Eric Johnson Stratocaster uses staggered string trees.

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

All of these particular modifications and suggestions leave us with an instrument as engaging as the artist who inspired it. Though it pays homage to Fender's vintage history, it notwithstanding is a thoroughly modern instrument in many ways.

The pickups have a chime, punch, and bounce that rank them, again, as some of the best 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.

Coupled with the vintage-style case, you're left with a world-class instrument that bears the mark of its world-class designer. You can't go wrong with an Eric Johnson Stratocaster!

About the Author

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