Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster Electric Guitar, 2-Color Sunburst

Over the years, the Fender Stories Collection has been a testament to iconic musicians and their cherished, modified Fender electric guitars, which have been instrumental in creating timeless music. The Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster, a part of this collection, holds a special place in the annals of music history. Eric Johnson, a revered figure in the electric guitar community, used this very Stratocaster to record the Grammy-winning albums Tones (1987) and the Platinum Ah Via Musicom (1991). These groundbreaking albums not only catapulted him to fame but also established him as a tastemaker in the music industry.

In 2020, Fender decided to replicate Eric's 1954 Virginia Stratocaster in limited numbers, both in the Fender Custom Shop and the Fender Corona Production line. This guitar, with its unique features, is set to captivate players and collectors alike with its distinctive look and exceptional tone.

The Eric Johnson 1954 Virginia Stratocaster boasts a rare rift/quartersawn sassafras body, contributing to its fine-grained appearance and producing a silky tone with a focused midrange. The custom pickup configuration, which combines a DiMarzio HS-2 stacked humbucking pickup with a pair of Fender 57/62 pickups, ensures Johnson's unique tone while offering a wide range of sound variations.

The custom wiring sets the middle and neck pickups out of phase with the bridge pickup, creating Johnson's unique "koto" tone in position two. The guitar also features a custom maple neck with a comfortable "Soft V" shape, providing clear tone and making soloing easier with its 12"-radius.

The period-correct lacquer finish allows the wood to breathe while wearing in a distinctive way, adding to the vintage appeal of the guitar. The vintage-style tuning machines not only offer solid, stable tuning but also contribute to the guitar's era-correct style. The Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster is more than just a guitar; it's a piece of music history that embodies the spirit of rock and roll.