Custom Shop-crafted Eric Johnson “Virginia” Strat
When Eric Johnson stepped on the Austin City Limits stage for his seminal 1988 performance, he had a stunning 1954 Fender Stratocaster strapped to his shoulder. From it, Eric conjured the scorching, virtuosic guitar lines that would make him an instant star. Eric's "Virginia" Strat — named after a label found in the pickup routes — would accompany him in the studio and on countless stages and become one of the most recognizable axes in his arsenal. As a tribute to a legendary player and his iconic instrument, Fender Custom Shop master builder Carlos Lopez has meticulously crafted a detailed re-creation of the “Virginia” Strat — from its rare sassafras body to Eric’s custom electronics and distinctive mods, including a single GraphTech String Saver Saddle on the high E, a flat washer on the output jack, a specially cut nut, replicated pot values, and Eric's preferred four-spring configuration. Dressed in a Closet Classic finish package, the nitrocellulose gloss lacquered body, tinted AAAA flame maple neck, and Closet Classic hardware contribute to a welcoming, lived-in look that invites you to sit down and enjoy. Beyond its sublime aesthetics, the Eric Johnson "Virginia" strat is a pure player, with vintage-voiced hand-wound pickups in the middle and neck positions and a DiMarzio HS2 in the bridge. Personal touches, such as a single-ply eggshell pickguard, vintage-style tuning machines, and a custom Eric Johnson synchronized tremolo assembly, complete this magnificent instrument. The Eric Johnson "Virginia" Stratocaster has captured the hearts of guitarists at Sweetwater — and we're excited to share it with you!
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History of the “Virginia” Strat
For guitarists and music aficionados, few modern axemen are as revered as Eric Johnson. Known for his unique, genre-hopping style, matchless virtuosity, and relentless tone chasing, Eric knows how to spot a great-sounding and soul-inspiring guitar. Looking back over his lifetime as a guitar connoisseur, certain instruments stand out to Eric for their sound, playability, and other intangible qualities impossible to define. One such guitar was Eric’s 1954 “Virginia” Strat, which had a starring role in Eric’s Grammy-winning albums Tones and Ah Via Musicom. The 1954 “Virginia” Strat was a gem among Eric’s collection, featuring a rare sassafras body, maple neck, a gorgeous nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and customized electronics, designed to produce a sublime vintage tone with a clarity fit for Eric’s intricate fretwork.
Sublime tonewood combination
1950s Fender Stratocasters are known for their ash bodies. However, in some of the early 1954 runs (of which Eric Johnson’s 1954 “Virginia” Strat was a part), sassafras entered the mix. Sonically similar to mahogany and walnut, sassafras has creamy mids and lows and a shimmering high end with superb note separation. Moving on from the body — the guitar’s single-piece AAAA flame maple neck contributes a strong fundamental tone and crisp articulation, and its “V” shape sinks into your hand for an exceptionally comfortable feel. To cement the classic vibe and vintage aesthetic of this superb instrument, the body is finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer — just like it would have been in 1954, and the neck sports a tinted flash coat lacquer, which draws out the elegant flaming.
Eric Johnson spec’d electronics
The Eric Johnson 1954 “Virginia” Strat features Eric’s custom wiring and personal pickup selection, including a DiMarzio HS2 with an active top coil at the bridge and Custom Shop hand-wound EJ Virginia single-coils in the middle and neck positions. The HS2 possesses a clean and crisp humbucking tone, with a more natural quality different from comparable humbuckers, and, in single-coil mode, it has a throwback sound that complements the 1954 “Virginia” Strat’s vintage character.
Custom Limited Edition Eric Johnson “Virginia” Stratocaster Features:
- Re-creation of one of Eric Johnson’s favorite vintage Strats
- Rare combination of a seamless sassafras body and AAAA flame maple neck
- Comfortable “V” neck shape is a pleasure to play
- Closet Classic finish and hardware package
- Gorgeous gloss nitrocellulose lacquered body
- Tinted flash coat lacquered neck
- Eric Johnson spec’d electronics
- Bridge pickup: DiMarzio HS2 humbucker with active top-coil
- Neck/middle pickups: Custom Shop hand-wound Eric Johnson single-coil pickups
- Vintage-style tuning machines
- 6-saddle vintage-style Eric Johnson synchronized tremolo with GraphTech High E saddle
- 5-position blade, volume/tone/tone knobs
- Includes a deluxe tweed hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity
