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Yeah, the price on the EJ Strat seems high,
when compared with the Clapton and SRV Strats,
<but> if you've read the shtick in the 2005 Frontlines about
them, it makes sense:
1. The pickups are a unique design to Eric Johnson's specs.
Most guys just specify a pre-existing pickup- not EJ!
2. The radius on the neck is way unusual for vintage style
Fender necks, meaning they are not just pulling a neck from
a different model, and slapping a different decal, or even different
frets onnit. That's a major variation, not a minor tweak.
3. There are a <lot> of other odd little tweaks in the guitar that
<have> to require more time, if not money to do.
Oh yeah- It has staggered <vintage> style tuners...
I've never heard of those before- has anybody?
That means specially machined parts!
The staggered tuners I've heard of are normal enclosed tuners
on the American Strats.
Anyway, when you consider all that, maybe it's not such a high price
after all.
I also understand the objection to the flat radius,
but flatter radii are common on shredder guitars,
and as shredders get older, they may follow the general
trend of aging players becoming interested in more vintage
flavored gear, but still want a flatter neck radius.
In that case, the EJ Strat is the only game in town.
And regarding the comment about Marty Tippens-
there is already one Custom Shop signature model
dedicated to a surf guitarist, the Dick Dale Strat.
So surf guitar has <some> representation in the Fender catalog!
Ya can't have <everything>! ;^)
Michael
