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Post by WYOteleman on Oct 11, 2010 16:14:07 GMT -7
First and foremost, I am and always have been a Telecaster guy. That's not to say I can chicken pick and do Gatton, I just feel the most comfortable holding and playing a Tele. I've owned 5 different Strats in my life including a beautiful '58 reissue from back in the day (1985) before Fender had a Custom Shop. I have a love/hate relationship with these guitars. Love the sound when anyone is playing them in front of me, but I can't seem to play one without bumping the volume with every strum. And I've never been able to find a good, "everyday" tone. I approach the Strat as kind of a novelty guitar, and I know they are so much more than that. Anyway, my guitar demands are pretty simple...Made in the USA, Nitro finishes, well-made, no "custom shop" or one-off luthier prices. Enter the Eric Johnson Strat. It's got all I ask for and a 12" radius board. Prices seem fair on older models, but I've never had one in my hands. So, anyone out there own an EJ Strat or even spent some time with one? Any info will be greatly appreciated!  |
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Post by scottguitar on Oct 12, 2010 7:49:56 GMT -7
I owned one for awhile. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. The action felt really stiff. I always attributed that to the quarter-sawn maple board. I don't get the recently fasination with quarter-sawn maple necks. I guess the flatter radius could have played into the fact that I didn't like the way it felt. The body was a nice piece of wood and the pickups sounded pretty good to. The neck shape was nice, but I prefered the shaped on the Stevie Ray Strat the I owned. The Johnson was a slight V shape that, IIRC, tapered to a C shape in the upper position.
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Post by wubberdubber on Oct 12, 2010 15:40:49 GMT -7
I've got an EJ...it plays great. That flatter radius allows for the lowest action I've ever been able to get on a Strat, and I've owned a bunch. Quarter-sawn simply means the way the wood is cut across the grain, and it adds strength and stability. The only thing I've changed are the pickups...the originals just weren't what I was looking for, but the playability is EXCELLENT. I've had the chance to play several, and haven't found any that feel stiff...that sounds like maybe it just wasn't set up as well as it could be, or had heavier strings, etc. The 12" radius is especially nice if you play Gibsons and switch back and forth a lot. My EJ plays better than a lot of Custom Shop (higher priced..!) stuff I've played or owned. Sound-wise...they're a Strat, nothing that particularly different.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2010 16:58:18 GMT -7
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Oct 12, 2010 17:08:14 GMT -7
damn.....wish I hadn't seen THAT.
I'm within an hour of pulling the trigger on a TV yellow, dbl cut, P90 LP Jr.....
Grosh - same money as an EJ strat........no brainer.
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Post by scottguitar on Oct 12, 2010 17:10:41 GMT -7
I've got an EJ...it plays great. That flatter radius allows for the lowest action I've ever been able to get on a Strat, and I've owned a bunch. Quarter-sawn simply means the way the wood is cut across the grain, and it adds strength and stability. The only thing I've changed are the pickups...the originals just weren't what I was looking for, but the playability is EXCELLENT. I've had the chance to play several, and haven't found any that feel stiff...that sounds like maybe it just wasn't set up as well as it could be, or had heavier strings, etc. The 12" radius is especially nice if you play Gibsons and switch back and forth a lot. My EJ plays better than a lot of Custom Shop (higher priced..!) stuff I've played or owned. Sound-wise...they're a Strat, nothing that particularly different. It was set up well. I find quarter sawn necks in general stiff compared to their flat sawn counter parts. I played a couple EJs and I found the same with each one. It's the same with the Fender Custom Shop guitars with quarter sawn necks. I'd say 4 out of 5 QS necks seem a little stiff. I would also look at the Fender Thin Skin series if you are looking for American made Strats. The one's I've played have all sounded and played great. I believe some of them come in flatter 9.5 radius. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2010 18:46:51 GMT -7
I've got an EJ...it plays great. That flatter radius allows for the lowest action I've ever been able to get on a Strat, and I've owned a bunch. Quarter-sawn simply means the way the wood is cut across the grain, and it adds strength and stability. The only thing I've changed are the pickups...the originals just weren't what I was looking for, but the playability is EXCELLENT. I've had the chance to play several, and haven't found any that feel stiff...that sounds like maybe it just wasn't set up as well as it could be, or had heavier strings, etc. The 12" radius is especially nice if you play Gibsons and switch back and forth a lot. My EJ plays better than a lot of Custom Shop (higher priced..!) stuff I've played or owned. Sound-wise...they're a Strat, nothing that particularly different. It was set up well. I find quarter sawn necks in general stiff compared to their flat sawn counter parts. I played a couple EJs and I found the same with each one. It's the same with the Fender Custom Shop guitars with quarter sawn necks. I'd say 4 out of 5 QS necks seem a little stiff. That's an odd and interesting perception, but it can't have any basis in fact. There wouldn't be any difference in feel between a quarter-sawn neck and a neck that was completely slab cut. String gauge, nut and saddle height, neck angle and neck relief, and fret size/contour are the factors that come to mind when you talk about what affects a guitar's playability. As noted above, the bias on which the neck is sawed will only affect the rigidity/stability of the neck, but you wouldn't be able to feel a difference under any circumstances I can think of. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2010 18:49:26 GMT -7
WYOteleman--if you can find a good one, I can't think of any reason not to go for it. The feature set is pretty attractive; kind of a nice hybrid of this and that, all with a vintage-y vibe. +1 on trading out the pickups; get a nice set of Lollars and you're good to go.
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Post by wubberdubber on Oct 12, 2010 22:48:13 GMT -7
I took scottguitar's comment to mean he felt the playability was stiff-feeling, but maybe he meant the actual rigidity of the neck...? A quarter-sawn neck IS more rigid..that's why it's quarter-sawn. I've owned about 15 different Strats over the years, starting in 1973, and have played 7+1/2" , 9", 10", and 12" radius'...the EJ, to me, feels the slinkiest, probably because the action is lower and faster, and it doesn't fret-out past the 12th fret when I bend up a whole 3rd or more, like most smaller radius do (unless you jack up the action). Of course, not every guitar, or every EJ Strat, is EXACTLY the same....I took a chance and got mine on the 'bay and it's worked out well, but if you can try it out first, even better.
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Post by Dustin on Oct 13, 2010 5:56:04 GMT -7
I'm within an hour of pulling the trigger on a TV yellow, dbl cut, P90 LP Jr..... That's the ticket ;D Can't wait to hear some Galaxie recordings with that one! |
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Post by WYOteleman on Oct 13, 2010 7:13:09 GMT -7
Thanks for the insight guys. I live with the reality that I don't have the luxury to actually put my hands on many guitars. So, like many, I have to research as best I can, and then take the chance. I've had pretty good luck so far, but have gotten burned by great guitars that just didn't work out for me. T-ROCK, I've got a TV Yellow Single cut P-90 LP Special out in the corral already. I'm covered with my hummied '61 (LP) SG. My Hamer Newport (P-90s) takes care of my hollow-body tones, and my two Teles "almost" cures my Fender GAS. Just feel like I gotta find that ONE Strat to make things complete. I've basically brought my search down to either the '57 Hot Rod Strat (love the maple fretboard but not real keen on the pickup choice) or the EJ Strat. Haven't really seen anything I don't like about it...and maybe the 12" radius would be even better than the 9.5" on my "52 Hot Rod Tele. I'll let you know what I settle on. I just don't want to buy another Strat only to sell it later.  |
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bigredridinhood
New Member
Give me a few months and I'll change my mind again -Ignatious
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Post by bigredridinhood on Oct 13, 2010 8:22:20 GMT -7
I have one. I love mine. Custom shop quality, at a production line price, especially if you do like I did, find one used, without a single scratch on it and the plastic still on the pickguard. Couple of things to consider. It's got a fat neck, not for everybody. Of course, the 12 in radius has already been mentioned. I think the pickups are fine, but everybody likes different things there too. The bridge pickup is one of the thickest sounding stock pickups I have ever heard. Tone control on bridge pickup is nice. Another thing I like, it's LIGHT. Some people don't like the single ply pickguard, it's kind of warbly, but isn't that what came on fifties strats? Now, I don't have any experience with the new ones with the rosewood board, mine is the vintage white with maple. The back of the neck is lacquered, maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but easily remedied. No string tree, but the tuners are staggered. I do have instances where the high E jumps out of the nut occasionally, but I think that's more of a nut slot issue and easily rectified. It hasn't been a big enough issue for me to get it fixed yet. All in all, a great production strat, with some custom, and in my case desirable, features. No issues with quality here. Best thing to do is play one, then you'll know.
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Post by scottguitar on Oct 13, 2010 8:50:13 GMT -7
I took scottguitar's comment to mean he felt the playability was stiff-feeling, but maybe he meant the actual rigidity of the neck...? A quarter-sawn neck IS more rigid..that's why it's quarter-sawn. I've owned about 15 different Strats over the years, starting in 1973, and have played 7+1/2" , 9", 10", and 12" radius'...the EJ, to me, feels the slinkiest, probably because the action is lower and faster, and it doesn't fret-out past the 12th fret when I bend up a whole 3rd or more, like most smaller radius do (unless you jack up the action). Of course, not every guitar, or every EJ Strat, is EXACTLY the same....I took a chance and got mine on the 'bay and it's worked out well, but if you can try it out first, even better. I meant the actually playability felt stiff. It kind of makes sense if you think about it. A quarter sawn neck is indeed more ridgid so it will move less than a flat sawn neck when the guitar as a whole is vibrating. The EJs aren't bad guitars, especially at the price point you can get them used. They are probably the best production US Strats just like the GE SMiths are the best made US Tele. I would still consider an American Thin Skin or even a used Custom Shop Custom Classic or Custom Deluxe. I would guess a used CS Custom Classic should be more than a few hundred dollars more than an Eric Johnson. |
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Post by markT on Oct 13, 2010 19:07:46 GMT -7
So, anyone out there own an EJ Strat or even spent some time with one? Any info will be greatly appreciated! I've had a EJ Strat for about 4 years and it's the best strat I've ever played. In my opinion. I played several Custom Shop Strat's at Mid-Town Music in Atlanta when they were still open. ( Awesome store and sorely missed ) I had my heart set on a Custom Shop job and they had 2 EJ's that "I" liked better than all the rest for several thousand less. I ended up not buying any of those guitars. There was another EJ Strat at a local store that sells mostly lowend-beginner gear. I had been looking at is and playing it for about a year. They finally had a spring house cleaning sale and I picked it up for about $1300. I can't believe I let that guitar sit there so long, but I got it at a better price and I had the cash when it went on sale.....anyway...enough of that story... The guitar has a bigger neck that feels so good in my hand and you can feel it vibrating and sounding so resonate BEFORE you plug it in. It has a big. fat Strat sound and is the most pure, straty sounding Strat I've ever played. It's light weight and big in sound. It stays in tune and plays great. Every guitar made of wood is different so it's always best to put your hands & ears on one, but sometime if you can't you just have to go with your gut and take a chance. These Strats have & keep good resale value in case you don't fall in love like I did.  Good luck!~ my $.02 |
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Post by twangsta on Oct 14, 2010 10:19:11 GMT -7
damn.....wish I hadn't seen THAT. I'm within an hour of pulling the trigger on a TV yellow, dbl cut, P90 LP Jr..... Grosh - same money as an EJ strat........no brainer. +K The man know what he's talking about. GO FOR THE GROSH, the 'strat' is after all just a platform to mess with! edit* TV yellow dbl cut, go for it, theoretically sound |
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bns
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Post by bns on Oct 14, 2010 11:34:21 GMT -7
I have an EJ strat (my only strat). I love it and in fact am using it at a gig tomorrow. The neck is very fat which can sometimes be an issue for my small hands, but man that guitar sounds good. It stays in tune really well and I've never had any technical problems with it. I find the stock pickups to be outstanding. I also have a Grosh Electrajet so I know the quality of Grosh. The Electrajet (and probably all Grosh guitars) has a superior neck, but from an overall quality perspective I would rate the guitars as equivalent. I agree with the comment that the lacquered neck is annoying, but that comes off either through playing in a couple of weeks, or you can just scrape it off without doing any damage. I say go for it.
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Post by WYOteleman on Oct 14, 2010 13:34:39 GMT -7
I just had a trusted friend who's played many EJs in Minneapolis tell me he's never played a "bad" one...that they were amazingly consistent for not being a Custom Shop product. He added that he too found all of them to feel "stiff". I'm not sure if I totally understand what is meant by that. After all, I play Teles with 11s. Does it get much "stiffer" than that? And I prefer that feel of a thick Tele. He did say the frets were too small for his liking. Something I haven't thought about and nobody here has mentioned.
For the record, he told me to spend a "little" more and just get a K-Line. This coming from a former CS, Grosh, K-Line owner! Again, all fantastic guitars, but a little hard for me to justify. For you owners out there, any thoughts on fret size or issues?
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Post by markT on Oct 14, 2010 13:50:32 GMT -7
The EJ Strat has medium jumbo frets.... Not vintage frets. I like this size very much. I also like the lacquered neck. I have heard a lot of people complain about this, but for me it's a non-issue. If it is a problem a little rub with some 0000 steel wool will do the trick. As far as "stiff"..I'm not sure what they mean either. I play 11-50's on mine. I like to have to "play" the guitar. I think you have made up your mind! I watch them all the time on eBay. People always want too much and they don't sell most of the time. You should be able to pick up a nice one for $1200 maybe a little less.... |
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Post by WYOteleman on Oct 14, 2010 15:05:01 GMT -7
The EJ Strat has medium jumbo frets.... Not vintage frets. I like this size very much. I also like the lacquered neck. I have heard a lot of people complain about this, but for me it's a non-issue. If it is a problem a little rub with some 0000 steel wool will do the trick. As far as "stiff"..I'm not sure what they mean either. I play 11-50's on mine. I like to have to "play" the guitar. I think you have made up your mind! I watch them all the time on eBay. People always want too much and they don't sell most of the time. You should be able to pick up a nice one for $1200 maybe a little less.... Medium-jumbo....perfect. Lacquered neck...not an issue on my '52 HR Tele. Price...yep, right in that range. Thanks for helping me make up my mind!  |
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Post by markT on Oct 14, 2010 18:48:02 GMT -7
Cool....
Now that I think about it, I think what they mean by stiff is: most strats are set up to have the tremolo bar so it's kinda floating. You can bend the pitch up or down. The EJ strat comes with 5 springs so the bridge is pulled down tight to the body...more sustain, bigger sound. You can only go down in pitch with the bar with this setup. So the strings react and bend more like a hardtail bridge would.
Maybe that's what they mean by tight...but I've always set my strats like that. I also have a 77 hardtail strat, so it feels normal to me.
You'll see some EJ's with 3 springs...they took 2 out for a softer, easier tremolo action.....and less sustain...thinner sound...
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Post by robb on Oct 15, 2010 11:08:05 GMT -7
I loved the guitar on paper, and I even think the tone is great. But when actually playing one, the neck just didnt agree with me at all. I think the flatter radius and huge frets feel awkward on a strat, especially when combined with the EJ's neck carve. I think the carve of the neck was the biggest deal breaker for me.
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bigredridinhood
New Member
Give me a few months and I'll change my mind again -Ignatious
Posts: 41
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Post by bigredridinhood on Oct 15, 2010 15:09:06 GMT -7
Cool.... Now that I think about it, I think what they mean by stiff is: most strats are set up to have the tremolo bar so it's kinda floating. You can bend the pitch up or down. The EJ strat comes with 5 springs so the bridge is pulled down tight to the body...more sustain, bigger sound. You can only go down in pitch with the bar with this setup. So the strings react and bend more like a hardtail bridge would. Maybe that's what they mean by tight...but I've always set my strats like that. I also have a 77 hardtail strat, so it feels normal to me. You'll see some EJ's with 3 springs...they took 2 out for a softer, easier tremolo action.....and less sustain...thinner sound... Exactly.......I set mine up floating like Carl Verheyen's where you can bend the G up a third, the B a whole step, and the E a half step. Thing is...I do it with 4 springs instead of three. Don't know if that is redundant or not....in my mind, it gives the arm a little more resisitance. That's how I set up my strat's now, works great! |
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Post by wubberdubber on Oct 15, 2010 15:18:10 GMT -7
I have to agree that every one that I've played has been very consistent. The lacquer is a little thick on the neck, but it doesn't really bother me. The frets are bigger than "vintage", but not as big as "jumbo", and I like that..I think it makes intonation and such a little more precise. I DON'T like the old 7+1/2" radius, having to jack up the action to play blues-type bends in the upper register, and too-heavy bodies, and the EJ addressed all of those things. I was a little concerned about the lack of string trees, being used to them on quite a few previous Strats, but it really does help the trem. to return to pitch. Mine's a keeper.
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butcherboy
Junior Member
Hmmm..where did I hide that bottle?!
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Post by butcherboy on Oct 16, 2010 21:00:27 GMT -7
Before you pull the trigger I would have to advise you to check out the American Vintage 57 RI strats if you have a chance. When I bought mine it came down between the 57 and an EJ. I chose the 57, mainly because of the neck and the pickups. The V style neck felt awesome and the 57/62 pickups sounded fatter and stratier? than the EJ. That said the EJ is one of the finest strats I have ever played and I would buy one of them well before I shelled out for a lot of the CS stuff. You can get the 57 for around 1200 bucks used($2200 new I think). Nitro finish is SWEET! And I immediately rewired mine EJ style, I think that is the only way to wire one after playing a Jimmie Vaughan for so many years. Anyway Good luck with your search and keep us posted.
Butcherboy
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