Eric Johnson and His Signature Stratocaster Pickups | Fender

Fender’s R&D engineers worked closely with world renowned guitarist and tone connoisseur Eric Johnson to craft the perfect pickups for his uniquely articulate sound.
Carefully blending Leo Fender’s legacy with EJ’s modern discerning sonic tastes, these Stratocaster pickups are a key element of EJ’s unmistakably pure tone.
Learn more about these new pickups here: www.fender.com/...
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Eric Johnson and His Signature Stratocaster Pickups | Fender
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[@tomrandall6539]

Could have spelled it with a D but then it would have been Erid. What an absolute legend. Come to the UK man!!!

[@OEMPlus]

I played his signature strat (which is why i'm here) and it is honestly one of the best strats (if not the absolute best) that I've ever touched. the neck is amazing, the pickups are amazing, it was the semihollow so it just rang out like a bell tower on a clear day. i want one SO bad.

[@SandBoy408]

Hard choice between this one and the jimi hendrix strat

[@allyearclan]

'Hi I'm Eric, i spell my name E R I C, i could of spelled it with a K or i could of spelled it with a D, but if i'd spelled it with a D it'd be Erid' Legend

[@burroughs334]

Dude. This just made me love Eric Johnson all the more. Funny dude.

[@ernestezmail4545]

Thank you eric.. for having the best song of my childhood:CLIFFS OF DOVER

[@intrsoul]

The Yoda of tone. Toneyoda.

[@TheWolvesCurse]

intrsoul i just got the turboyoda jingle in my head from your comment.

[@floppycheese96]

probably one of the most underrated guitarists, quality music

[@theodosios2615]

I put his pickups in my 2007 Mexican Strat. OMG. They sound incredible.

[@DaltonMullins]

I use to watch Eric play in a house that was turned into a club in Houston Texas in the early 70's He wouldn't start playing until about 1 in the morning in those days. As for his humor...he has always been a funny guy.

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Such a genuine, talented and humble guy. Also, the color on that blue Strat is beautiful!

[@santigardipee9303]

That's funny that Fender couldn't help John Mayer find "his" sound. LOL. Eric is a G.

[@darrennwalters5189]

I've had two EJ Stratocasters and both absolutely blew me away. I had a sunburst 2005 that I should have kept honestly and the current one is a white blonde 2019 that is incredible. These guitars and these pickups are special.

[@kyleriff8899]

I have a guitar that Michael built over 20 years ago! Wow what a blast from the past seeing this video. I haven’t seen him since I was a kid. My dad used to work with him when he worked for Godin guitars. Cool to see he’s working for fender now!!

[@daveleblanc3558]

May I ask who's your dad? I work for Godin since 2000.

[@yobhsiFehT]

Ha! I love the random Little Richard quote (about Jimi) thrown in there. Aaaaand riding off into the sunset on a lawn mower lol Good times.

[@jerrylee087]

I love everything about "EJ" he is a true example of a true humble man✌ and what he contribute to "music". He's my hero ever since🤘

[@mkilner]

...Eric you are a star!! 😄🌟👏🏻

[@DChunk]

hes getting funnier as he gets older xD "im not afraid to look freaky"

[@Kr3wIpath606]

Sammy B. he was actually doing a play on a little Richard Interview about jimi Hendrix. Eric basically said it word for word hah, that's where the I'm not afraid to look freaky and Jimi was higher than heron bit bit came from

[@JAMEYSIMMS]

He's quoting the Little Richard interview about Hendrix.

[@allainangcao28]

EJ is the probably one of the only few guitarists who you identify based on their sound alone.

[@stephen0793]

Eric rides away on a tractor...because he's Eric fucking Johnson

[@cardbored_]

+stephen0793 He even made the Tractor sound better

[@mikehotere8780]

+LANo you win, sir. You win.

[@DChunk]

He's getting more amusing as he progresses in age

[@s0uldrift3r]

Drops the mic!! Well played sir!!

[@GoemonLovesFujiko]

+Sam Evert more human. Haha. Agreed.

[@MrCMHUDDY]

I have NO idea what they're talking about...But it's beautiful anyway :-) I remember buying G3 many years ago, explicitly for Satch and Vai, and fell in love with this guy. EJ is the best, no doubt. Funny what you find when you're looking for something else.

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

All I know is the pickups in my Eric Johnson strat are killer. I like them even more than the ones in my vintage 75 strat which aren't bad but these have a sweeter tone , more sweet top and some mids which makes them sound warm too. Could be the guitar too since it is a lighter alder body vs the hard heavy ash body of the 75. Both maple necks. Love the EJ neck pickup..very Jimi.. but the middle and bridge are great as well. The bridge I can even do some Van Halen on although still having a bit more strat tone to it. Tone knobs are wired to bridge and neck stock too. Great guitars. Might get a set of these for my 75 strat. They didn't sell them for awhile. Nice to see these pickups are available.

[@LNSANTOS779]

Quais os caps dessa strat sgnature do eric ?

[@bambino100011]

I love his sound on his strat. He plays so clean.

[@jackleyton5504]

Erid is such a great guy. as well as a great guitarist. I always enjoy listening to him talk or play. Keep going Eric. Love your Strats also. I have both solid and latest F-Hole and they both rock.

[@ktrn2b]

Just ordered the black body, maple fingerboard one. So Exciting! I Loved the Lil Richard Quote about Jimi at the end, so cool.

[@PIlotrcm]

Eric spent so much money on his strat he couldn't afford a car.

[@OEMPlus]

of all the observations this is your contribution. well, im sure you did your best.

[@bwt167]

Wow! Killer vid...Best Fender vid yet! Thanks for releasing the Ej pickups!

[@1dabirdman68]

Man that binding on a Fender neck is classy as fuck!! I wonder if i could order a replacement neck for my American Standard Strst????

[@MusicMan642]

It's their channel binding technique. The cnc route the neck and put the fretboard inside the neck.

[@user-eu3mn6ss5l]

+1dabirdman Yeah, it does look badass.

[@jasonperry5526]

+Michael Fenton The Eric Johnson Strats aren't channel bound. It's actually binding on the neck.

[@MusicMan642]

+Jason Perry that's my mistake then.

[@NotUrBiz]

+Michael Fenton Mine has that. Eric's guitar has binding. imgur.com/vAVHWKK

[@simonkormendy849]

The thing I like most about Eric Johnson, besides his guitar playing, is his wonderful sense of humour.

[@topazaditia]

I've been waiting for this since 1995!

[@christineayres5339]

Weird thing is his Signature Strat is good value compared to Clapton or Jeff Becks signature guitars i found one in my local guitar store for under 1000 bucks that has to be good value for money

[@57stratkat]

I used to date an ex girlfriend of his . She introduced me to him back in the Late 1970's . He's a really nice, modest guy, straight ( no drugs , likes girls) lifetime devotion to guitar playing. Great sense of humor. Macrobiotic diet. Just a great guy and a great example of focused devotion to his craft. Zero ego, no star bullshit. All you guys who talk smack are so full of shit. Go practice.

[@MagicPants647]

Ian Curtis so you’re eskimo brotherss with Eric Johnson..?!

[@paskualu]

" likes girls " ridiculous to mention, isn'it ? What would happen if he liked men too ? You would hate him ?

[@16HoursRemain]

@@paskualu he would have said he liked men.. and you would have still said something

[@paskualu]

@@16HoursRemain Hablapaja :)

[@tenzel1231]

@@paskualu grow up

[@demokraatti]

I have a semi-hollow EJ Strat. What an amazing guitar it is. The pickups are best I’ve ever tried. I have tried many other expensive Strats but this EJ I like the most. It has all the clarity you want but the top end is sweet and nice. Tons of sustain. This is the the only non-CS Strat with a quarter sawn neck. My EJ Strat has a flawless piece of quarter sawn maple and the tuning stability is excellent.

[@KennyCarlile]

I bought these off someone on eBay who pulled them out of an EJ Strat. Worth every penny. They are amazing.

[@iagobroxado]

+Kenny Carlile I think these are different pickups from his signature Strat. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@KennyCarlile]

I don't know why they would be any different. Fender developed a custom set for the EJ signature Strats and they've been in very high demand. It only makes sense that they would release those as a product.

[@iagobroxado]

Kenny Carlile I thought (I remember a video of EJ saying this) the rosewood version of his signature guitar had different pickups than his maple sig. Which set would be this then?

[@KennyCarlile]

Oh, I don't think I ever heard that. I could be mistaken then.

[@hushdrops]

+Iago B I recall that too, I believe the treble was toned down a tiny bit on the RW signature Strat. a friend brought his RW and compared directly to my EJ maple, one of the first released in 2005, and the RW definitely sounded different, tough to say better but going thru my fender pro jr, when using my friend's vintage yellow boss overdrive pedal the rosewood EJ just sounded fuller... so which pickups are these the maple or RW Sig strat pickups sold separately or something newer, different? if taken from Sig model then from the original or rosewood? I'm positive ej said in a namm interview 2009 that the pickup's were tweaked for the RW model, Dweezil Zappa was playing a blue RW in the background of that interview and EJ played a show at namm with a red rw model.

[@smallfaucet]

I've seen him live twice, fawking awesome!! I'll never forget

[@rickfennell7849]

yeah bro. totally awesome. been one of my favorite guitarist since the 80's. in my opinion...one of the best to ever strum a guitar. i think guitars are scared shitless when he walks in the room...lol.

[@smallfaucet]

+Ric Fennell haha!I saw him open for BB King! And then saw him at a small club called the cats cradle in Carborro NC, a tiny, intimate venue......it was badass, you could see his fingernails!

[@donwhitesel12]

I just ordered a full set for my 2012 Fender American Stratocaster. It's time to give the Fender fat 50s a break and enjoy these. I think they sound a lot more balanced which is what I'm going for.

[@richardelson3261]

Love the Little Richard Hendrix quote 4:15. I have this guitar and a set in another guitar. Really great combo.

[@michaelkim4743]

I was debating a lot about the next guitar I'd buy but this made it easy! Strat it is along with these pickups!

[@ramon4545]

I like the nod to George Jones driving away on the lawnmower legend

[@johncurrie1789]

His sense of humor kills me. He’s hilarious!

[@jerrybattista6952]

Loved the Beverly Hillbillies music at the end. They played that often when Mr. Drysdale and Jane Hathaway were in the convertible driving to the Clampetts.

[@zoso2809]

He seems like a very nice guy with a sense of humor.

[@ubear56]

One of the only videos with Michael Frank-Braun, who passed away on February 2, 2023 in an accident. RIP ❤

[@wiltner]

Eric is a monster player but he is not on the standard Texan diet that's for sure!

[@MrBossei]

No. He is a vegetarian.

[@daimong4553]

best part 5:17

[@JJ3136]

Eric Johnson is one of my favorite guitar player !!!

[@davidhorner5655]

I have never ever heard Eric Johnson talk......ever...... Holy fuck

[@releasethemccrackin6104]

Lmao that ending was priceless

[@donaldinowitsch]

It´s funny that Eric says in another youtube video called the rap session that the pickups in the rosewood model were different to the ones in the maple neck model. I contacted Fender and asked them, which EJ signature model comes with the EJ signature pickups and they said the maple neck model, you can`t buy the ones in the rw model as a set or single. So why is he promoting his signature pickups with the rw model that obviously comes with different pickups? Confusing.....

[@garygrinkevich6971]

EJ entire countenance is the living embodiment of that felix fenaticus drug in harry potter where everything is perfect all the time, seems to have completely transcended to the next plane of consciousness able to tap into satori and oneness at any moment, I truly envy his state of being. I have to imagine he has the most incredible weed humidor.

[@losd5959]

Anyone else think EJ was toking that reefer before this video? lol funny ass dude

[@danknasty661]

ive always wondered if he lit up or not, his tone can get really out there so i wonder

[@allthingsclassicrock]

That’s an old school Austinite. I’ve met a few, they all act laid back like that... then again they might just be high. 🤣

[@pfaprado]

Is that the ending of "Can't Buy Me Love"? LOL

[@dunemetal67]

The man can make you laugh. Good on you EJ

[@jerrypixar9245]

Thanks for being on my life's soundtrack EJ

[@alexcorll90]

(70) Little Richard on Jimi Hendrix - KZbin I didn't realize it before, but at 4:18 Eric is sort of quoting Little Richard from a documentary about Jimi released in 1973. I wonder if that was intentional? It's almost word for word.

[@michaelmaier7262]

I need that gig bag!

[@SVATTIMO]

Love the John Deere and the pickups!!! So cool.

[@zenthehen]

You just can't hate this guy.

[@GreenMeanie101]

Does that fender have binding on it? Looks cool.

[@MusicMan642]

The neck is channel bound.

[@ConstantineJajas]

+Michael Fenton The EJ signature Strat is actually bound and not channel-bound. I have one :)

[@sheamaddy9893]

Somebody tell that guy, that's a door not a fender. I mean the guy driving the fender pickup not the guy wearing one.

[@seangillen920]

What a beautiful place to be able to play in.

[@hevertonrocha7707]

Eric has a fantastic tone and playing!!

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

His sig strats have unmatched quality. Even my custom shop strats don’t match up. Btw what are the tone settings on the John Deere even that thing sound good in his hands! Tone oil?

[@MiguelLumberto]

That's standard binding on the neck, not channel bound...

[@leoarjuncrasto]

Why does a guitar with a 12-inch radius have a vintage pole piece stagger? PLEASE HELP, wanted to buy this for my guitar, I am in love with the sound :)

[@O.t]

That pickup tie really tones in with his outfit

[@giovanimans4ni]

Guitar GOD !

[@jamessanchez9301]

2:13 Hahah the pickup bowtie

[@vasilyd8325]

That's a Neck pickup definitely!

[@khalaziafaqih367]

best tone ever, one of the best guitarist in the world

[@merrivale.1229]

What a beautiful strat🔥⚡️

[@adamfeher3368]

I wemt to one of his gigs in the uk. It was 3 years ago. It was really nice

[@scrap_metal_magic]

What about the Little Richard quote about Jimi Hendrix at the end. Pretty much word for word

[@shanelandstrom1597]

A pickup for a neck tie, John Deere for transportation,.............I'm starting to like this guy

[@CalebCaming]

Little Richard reference!

[@olivier883]

That Fender sticker on the door should be on the ... fender! LoL

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

Oh yeah about time,am digging the ones that came on my stock EJ Signature sunburst strat,chime factory :)

[@GrericPoperic7]

How would you compare them to the Landau Suhr Pickups?

[@KBK286]

A Magician...subtile tones !

[@x7stringinJSCx]

He is so dry lol. The best rocker out there for sure. Laid back and down to earth. These pickups sounds great. I now wish i had a Strat to put a set in.

[@handle433]

Nice Bolo tie Eric😂😂

[@aidenseabridge6752]

i love Eric's accent

[@sir_lg6363]

That guitar is beautiful

[@ejRecording]

love eric!!!!!

[@jeremyemot9439]

EJ has such good tone he can wear it...

[@jamesgretsch4894]

He used to use D'Marzio stacked humbucker with only one coil activated I think. Can someone confirm this.?

[@minus9us677]

James Gretsch hs2. confirmed

[@miguelferrariart]

Thanks for coming to BB Kings in NYC Eric

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Eric Johnson is funny about the if he spelled his name with a "D".

[@srguero8074]

The middle pickup is Alnico 3 or 5 ???

[@SmokeDogNY420]

Oddballs are usually the bests artists...what a character he is

[@iamjezuzchrist]

Placed back into the dippa!!!

[@jeffreyschmokdt71]

I so want s set

[@wooththeduck9859]

Eric should makes a signature guitar with Gretsch.

[@kerranz]

who knew he had a sense of humor?

[@benpope6176]

Hahahhahaha, I love Eric! He's completely nuts and a phenomenal player!!! :D

[@kuyakoi3469]

Hey eric! Theyre missing a pick up after your visit at the factory. Some people say you might have put it somewhere on your shirt

[@liamarmstrong9590]

He’s wearing a pickup

[@keiwil]

Hnnng the color on that strat 😍

[@louie180]

When are these gonna be available?

[@aronchas]

guys, do you know if these pickup set will fit a left handed guitar? I have always wanted a ej fender signature axe but Im a lefty and wont work for me. I would like to put these on ny guitar

[@murton09]

Aaron Rodriguez trolling or...?

[@allenanderson4911]

Eric liked vintage neck pickups...which have weaker magnets and a little less treble and lower output.

[@rareform6747]

Nice Having Tall Studio and no Foam or Baffles ! EJ your Sounding more Cello .

[@carlpostuma1469]

Hey Eric was that a nod to George Jones at the end. lol