loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Fender Eric Johnson 1954 Virginia Stratocaster Stories Collection 2020 - $2,000 (Chico)
QR Code Link to This Post
Eric Johnson’s original 1954 Stratocaster became legendary for its airy, violin-like tone heard on Cliffs of Dover and other classics. Fender’s 2020 Stories Collection faithfully recreates the guitar’s unique specs, including its DiMarzio bridge pickup, ash body, and lightweight design.
The #4 switch position is unique to this model - wired like Johnson's guitar. With the neck and middle pickups in phase, the sound is completely different than standard Strats, wired for EJ's "koto" tone.
#1: bridge pickup
#2: bridge + middle pickup in parallel (in phase)
#3: middle pickup
#4: middle + neck pickup in parallel (out of phase)
#5: neck pickup
The DiMarzio stacked humbucker is permanently used as a split single-coil pickup with only the upper spool being engaged, so no humbucking feature is activated. The upper tone control is assigned to the neck pickup, while the lower tone control is connected to the bridge pickup, leaving the middle pickup without tone control.
The guitar is in beautifully clean and unchanged condition. I'm calling this one "mint", though there may be insignificant signs of handling here and there. The frets look new. It plays perfectly - we set it up and checked the truss rod to make sure there is room for future neck relief adjustments.
All the original paperwork is included in the original case.
Actual online user review excerpts for this model:
“Closest you’ll get to EJ’s tone without the original guitar.” – The Gear Page
“The HS-2 bridge setup is magic—no hum, all tone.” – Strat-Talk Forum
“Plays like a Custom Shop for less money.” – Reddit r/Guitar
“The neck shape and lacquer finish feel incredibly vintage.” – Harmony Central
“Glass-like cleans and violin-like sustain.” – Ultimate Guitar
Color: Sunburst
Weight: 8lbs 4.5oz
Body: 2 Piece Offset Seam Sassafras
Neck: 1 piece maple
Neck Profile: Soft V
Fretboard: Maple
Inlays: Black Dot
Frets: Original Jumbo
Fret Count: 21
Nut: Original
Nut width: 1-5/8"
Radius: 12"
Scale: 25.5"
Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .905"
Neck thickness at 12st Fret: 1"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Overall length: 38-3/8"
Lower bout: 12-5/8"
Waist: 9-1/4"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness: 1-3/4"
String gauge: .010-.046
Hardware Color: Chrome
Bridge Pickup/Brand: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116
Pickup Reading: 8.15k
Original?: Yes
Middle Pickup/Brand: '57 / '62 Single Coil
Pickup Reading: 5.32k
Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup/Brand: '57 / '62 Single Coil
Pickup Reading: 5.34k
Original?: Yes
Bridge: 6 Saddle American Vintage Synch Trem
Tuners: Vintage Style
Knobs: Original
Switch: 5 way
Pots/Codes: Original
Case: OHSC
G-1957