A replica of ��Virginia,�� a rare, modified, sassafras-bodied 1954 Fender Stratocaster (named after a label found inside the pickup routes) that powered one of Eric Johnson��s career-defining moments, the limited-edition Eric Johnson 1954 ��Virginia�� Stratocaster has all the features that made the original his cherished onstage companion. The rift/quartersawn sassafras body, custom switching and special setup are all here to inspire players and elevate theior playing, just like they did for Johnson.

The one-piece maple neck has a comfortable ��Soft V��-shaped profile, along with a 12��-radius fingerboard and 21 medium jumbo frets that perfectly accommodate Johnson��s legato playing style. Carefully selected to enhance the inherently ��round�� sound of the sassafrass body, the pickup complement includes a DiMarzio HS2 stacked humbucking pickup matched to Fender ��57/62 single-coil Strat pickups in the middle and neck positions.?

The resulting fat, violin-type tone with tons of liquid sustain is one of Johnson��s hallmarks��a perfect match for his flowing, melodic style. The custom wiring includes a tightly calibrated volume pot��per the tonemeister��s own specifications��while the middle and neck pickups are out of phase with the bridge pickup, giving players Johnson��s unique ��koto�� tone in position two.

Set up to Johnson��s precise specifications, the guitar��s nut is specially cut to leave more playing room for the high E string, which uses a single GraphTech String Saver saddle instead of the standard one. Other features include a custom ��EJ�� neck plate, wing string tree with nylon spacer and as a special touch��a piece of masking tape inside with the final assembly date and assembler��s name written on it, as was the tradition in 1954. Includes G&G tweed hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity.

Renowned for his discerning ears, peerless chops and as a tone savant who��s educated and inspired countless guitarists, Eric Johnson broke into the larger public eye in 1988. That year he appeared on ��Austin City Limits,�� delivering an electrifying performance that ultimately catapulted ��Cliffs of Dover�� to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. ��Virginia,�� a rare, modified, sassafras-bodied 1954 Stratocaster (named after a label found inside the pickup routes) powered this career-defining moment.

Johnson also wielded it during the recording of the groundbreaking?Tones?and?Ah Via Musicom?albums that made him a star beyond guitarist circles.