The Ultimate Strat?

Doctor J

The recently released Eric Johnson signature strat is the first signature model I've ever suffered from GAS over... and I can't explain why. Certainly the Fender forum folks are foaming out the hoop over them. Anyone elselike the look of this?

# 1-Piece Quartersawn Soft “V” Shape Vintage Tinted Maple Neck
# Extra Smooth Neck to Headstock Volute
# 3 Special Design Custom Shop Eric Johnson Pickups with Countersunk Mounting Screws (Neck/Middle/Bridge)
# 2-Piece Deep Contoured ‘57 Style Lightweight Alder Body
# 1957 Style Body Cavities
# 12” Radius Fingerboard
# Countersunk Holes in Pickguard for Pickup Mounting Screws
# Height Staggered Vintage Style Tuners which Eliminate the Need for String Trees
# Vintage Tremolo with Silver Painted Block and ‘57 Style String Recess (No Paint Between Base Plate and Block)
# 4 Tremolo Springs and NO Back Tremolo Cover Plate

juno75

Dunno about it being the Ultimate Strat, thats very personal if you like yer strats.

I love the vintage vibe and the small bits of detail, No Back plate for the trem recess, that makes it cool in my book :cool:

feylya

Not a big fan tbh. Give me a nice Jap Fat Strat with a Floyd Rose over that any day!

Doctor J

I dunno... you've got to think that a guy who is so anal he claims to be able to tell what brand of battery is in a pedal just by the tone is going to have something fairly feckin spectacular as a signature guitar.

feylya

But I don't think his tone is all that great from what I've heard. It's good, no doubt about it but it's just not fantastic...

Doctor J

Tone is subjective, and he is anal about his, which leads me to suspect that everything about this guitar is exactly as he wants it (based on his cherished 57) and therefore, rather good. Methinks it'd be absolutely sweet.

feylya

Aye, could be damn nice. Any sort of price on it?

Jimmy_Jazz

It certainly looks and read like a contender for the title. For the moment though, Mr. Clapton's early 90s model is the best IMO. Particularly that saucy-looking Torino Red one.

Doctor J

It's a spicy meatball, coming in at $1600

feylya

Ah, that's not too bad for a Signature guitar though.

jcoote

thats cheap enough i'm sure everything about that guitar suits him and like feylya i'm not overawed by his tone i mean its better than mine but not spectacular..still i wouldn't say no considering tom petty's martin is goin for 4400 !!!

Ancient1

Doctor J wrote:

I dunno... you've got to think that a guy who is so anal he claims to be able to tell what brand of battery is in a pedal just by the tone is going to have something fairly feckin spectacular as a signature guitar.

I have to agree there...an Eric Johnson signature model cannot be an "ordinary" signature model

ferdi

SRV sig strat for me thanks

feylya

YJM for me I think. As long as there's extra butter on the fretboard, for easier weight gain... I mean bending.

Doctor J

EJ for me, though I don't know why, 21 frets, maple board... still I lust for one?

feylya

Maybe you're getting old

Doctor J

Getting old? Dude, you should hear my knees crack in the morning.


I mean that, you should, even in Fundalk


Nah, I'm not ready to turn my back on humbuckers just yet :cool:

feylya

Sure Les Paul is still going strong with his humbuckers. How old is he these days?

There's nothing Fun in this Dalk!

ferdi

srv 4eva, nastiest sounding guitar 4eva+1

Shank

Yep gotta be the srv. Been thinkin bout fitting those texas special pickups, anyone here got em? are they as noisy as the standard strat ones. I have a 2 monitor setup and it's doing my nut in with the hum so the noiseless ones might be the way to go , any thoughts on these.

It wasn't me!

I like that, my own favourite Strat would have:

*Varnished natural finish on alder
*Soft V shaped neck
*Texas Specials
*Fixed bridge
*Large headstock

Everything else is just gravy.

Karl Hungus

Meh, doesn't particular tickle my fancy, but then again, I've never been a fan of Fenders.

It wasn't me!

It's a classic sound. Plus, nothing beats a single coil in the neck of a Strat for wailing out the blues. Also, they're just lovely to play.

bonzai bob

agreed, me likes my strat, but me is also going to get a nice new set of pickmeups

juno75

doing my nut in with the hum so the noiseless ones might be the way to go , any thoughts on these.

Texas Specials aint Noiseless, just very Hot single coils. Great pick up but very raw sound and same auwl buzz.

Check these, read some of the reviews on teh webby, I intend getting some Woodstocks asap:

http://www.kinman.com/

For ye fellow Stevie heads out there, I like his standard sig strat but I dont like the finish or the cheesy SRV on scratch plate, we aint and never will be Stevie

Check this for plankus drool mongus lust buzz:

http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000106.html

Ancient1

Shank wrote:

Yep gotta be the srv. Been thinkin bout fitting those texas special pickups, anyone here got em? are they as noisy as the standard strat ones. I have a 2 monitor setup and it's doing my nut in with the hum so the noiseless ones might be the way to go , any thoughts on these.

Even the stock pickups needn't be as noisy. Check out some good shielding info on www.guitarnuts.com If you're brave enough with the soldering iron, give it a go.

By the way, Doc J, are we on for a couple of beers one day and then we get to work on my Thinline and Strat? I dont dare poke around inside them on my own

Doctor J

We are, though it probably won't be next week, the missus has plans, you know how it goes :rolleyes:

Are you going later on?

Ancient1

I'm in no hurry - one nice day in the summer when i get all my stuff together

Dunno about later, not sure yet coz i just got back from abroad yesterday morning. Would love to though - if i'm going i'll give you a buzz.

Doctor J

Do it man. Do it, do it, do it. You've got to go.

Ancient1

aaaaaaaaa twisting my arm....

Doctor J

Do it. Imagine if you had missed Megadeth... or Priest? This one can't be missed. no excuses man!


Anyway, back on topic... how's yer strat?

Ancient1

If I do, i'm afraid i'm going to tell the missus that it's all yer fault!

Last week i was jamming with my old man who plays an old Fender Jazz and his mate who brought along his 1989 "Blackie"-looking Strat. Beautiful guitar....but when i got back to Dublin i plugged in my own 50th AmSe, i was just blown away by the difference. You cannot compare them in any way, this is just the finest Fender has come up with so far, IMO.
Even though the 89 Strat had stock pickups which were infinitely more silent than my current ones, i wouldnt trade it for the world.

So, a shielding is in order.

Doctor J

Indeed. When's yer oul lad selling me that Jazz?

Ancient1

He he he, i dont think he can be parted with it.

But you can dream if you like:

The serial number is S 739327.

Doctor J

A 77? I want it. Tell him I saved your life or something... be creative

Ancient1

It plays beautifully man....even i was doodling around on it for hours.

feylya

Pfft, look at you auld farts GASing over old gear. New and shiny will do me

Doctor J

Ancient1 wrote:

It plays beautifully man....even i was doodling around on it for hours.

Keep your hands offa my instrument, you cheeky monkey!

feylya wrote:

Pfft, look at you auld farts GASing over old gear. New and shiny will do me

Shiny like a fox!

feylya

Fox fur covered guitar eh... Hmm, where's me sewing machine?

Ancient1

Don't worry, i wiped it clean

Yeah, Feylya, i like new and shiny as well, but when i see anything related to Fender (especially vintage) everything else in life takes a back seat

I'm not that ancient, i blame it on my old man for introducing me to Messrs King (all of them ) , SRV, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Johnny Copeland et al. at an early age. Most of these titans played strats and i just got hooked

Ravelleman

IMHO, nothing beats this for features, appearance and price

Fender Lone Star Strat

Comes with 2 Texas special single coils and a duncan pearly gate humbucker. Looks sexy too.

Ancient1

Hey Feylya,

you think Doc and i are bad?

Have a look at this insanity!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47069&item=7319672489&rd=1

jcoote

thats just wrong.. might get it

ShriekingSheet

Doctor J wrote:

I dunno... you've got to think that a guy who is so anal he claims to be able to tell what brand of battery is in a pedal just by the tone is going to have something fairly feckin spectacular as a signature guitar.

holy sweey mother of jesus

feylya

Ancient1 wrote:

Hey Feylya,

you think Doc and i are bad?

Have a look at this insanity!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47069&item=7319672489&rd=1

I'll take it!