The Gibson Player's Strat? | 2020 Fender Eric Johnson Stories Collection Virginia Strat Review Demo

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🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:15 - Unboxing
4:24 - Inside Look / Specs
12:16 - Tone Demo
17:21 - Final Thoughts
📚 Description: I was really excited for the Virginia stratocaster in 2020, but I never got around to getting one due to an ordering mishap with my dealer. Here we are in early 2021 reviewing this model in what I can only assume is nearing its end in production.
These Strats have quite a few special features - such as a Sassafras body, Jumbo frets with a flatter fretboard radius than usual AND an out-of-phase neck+middle pickup.
I can't say I fell in love with this guitar - but it was fun to take a look at anyways. Brand new, they are $2,499.
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The Gibson Player's Strat? | 2020 Fender Eric Johnson Stories Collection Virginia Strat Review Demo
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[@Trog]

This strat has a lot of cool spec changes from a regular one! What is your favorite aspect? 🔴Buy on Reverb: reverb.com/item/38648857?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211 🎸New Guitar Day Program: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/

[@ziggylayneable]

There is my buddy I'm glad to be here less than 40 minutes into the video everyday my friend Austin. ✌️😁✌️

[@themusicalplatypus2812]

My favorite spec is probably the 12-inch radius. (My main ax is Les Paul.)

[@gavin4848]

Sassafras is endangered because of it's use in making MDMA

[@hkguitar1984]

Very cool guitar Trogly.

[@rondobondo6600]

Sassafras woohoo I like it

[@henrypaulsen736]

His trem block is different too! The ball ends of the strings when the strings are pulled through the block are flush with the end of the block which is something fenders don’t normally have, they normally are sunk in a bit more. It’s another tone thing according to Eric! The man is really incredible

[@automatics1im]

The uncoupled DiMarzio "cut the hum by 40%" according to EJ. The high E string saddle is actually a 70s saddle with softer metal compared to earlier saddles. The high was too harsh and the softer metal softens the tone. The high E nut groove is moved "1mm to the left" so it doesn't pull off the neck. edit: Also, an Eric Johnson trick (among many) is to sand his neck and joint pocket for better contact between the wood. edit 2: The flipped neck polarity sounds great.

[@paultrombetta]

Respectable shot at Cliffs

[@phillippitts6294]

Nothing like a strat and Les Paul together. They compliment each other so well.

[@MetallicA29]

So...a PRS?

[@Bedroomrips]

@@MetallicA29 literally loool

[@kreatiftroubadour6738]

@@MetallicA29 I think the better answer is Mark Knopfler's Suhr. He literally designed it to be Strat and a Les Paul.

[@sam.b1677]

@@kreatiftroubadour6738 The first PRS is also designed to be a Les paul and a strat. That thing is just a HSS Strat

[@kreatiftroubadour6738]

@@mubodude Of course there is nothing much going on except for its rarity. I am talking about his Suhr, active pickups, hss configuration, Les Paul vibes and color on a Strat. I absolutely love his candy red Strat (wish I had one though), but his Suhr is much more impressive, and has a wider range of playability in my opinion.

[@supersonicnomad8437]

I'm VERY impressed of your rendition of Cliffs Of Dover! Proud of you Austin! Right on!

[@zachmorgan8214]

Glad you’re still enjoying the blue sand blasted strat, happy that it’s in your hands now and can’t wait for you to document it. The swap we made for that strat and the rose gold SG lead to many more swaps and trades afterwards resulting in me picking up a 1975 ES-335 yesterday, thanks for helping make that happen!

[@wessoncolt1844]

A Gibson Player’s strat? Sign me the hell up!!! Also, when are you going to buy a Greco Les Paul?!

[@kennyjackson1374]

I got a great 1980 super real Greco EGF 850 I love to have review stock W2 Maxon pickup ....

[@ericbgordon1575]

Authentic Gibson look and tone at a fraction of the price?

[@charliewebb2216]

Awesome Japanese guitars! I have a mint 1979 Greco SE-500 Super Sound and it’s breath taking when you feel the neck and hear those vintage pups hiss at ya with some tube screaming overdrive lol awesome guitars I can attest

[@wessoncolt1844]

I own a left handed 1976 EG-900. Was refinished to a pale goldtop with black back. Poly coat. Upgraded Soviet caps, bridge change and kluson tuners. Original pre-embossed U-3000s and original pots. It’s a Gibson Killer, but I wouldn’t mind owning a real one lol.

[@EnterJustice]

@@ericbgordon1575 These comments always make my eyes roll. Yeah, the Pro strat is a tad cheaper than the LP standard. But the LP standard has a carved top, binding on body and fretboard (+nibs), set neck instead of bolt-on, flamed maple, the electronics need more routing and more channels = more work etc. The LP simply costs more to make than the strat - it evens out.

[@cb24203]

When I was looking for a new guitar years ago I was playing a Les Paul at the time but wanted a strat. Every Strat I tried I ended up not liking because of the neck radius and profile....until I tried the standard Eric Johnson model. The standard model is by far the best production line strat made. The Neck feels like a 50s Gibson, the 12” radius fretboard plays super fast and the quarter sawn neck feels SOLID. They’re just super solid guitars all around with a lot of little details that make a difference in feel. I’ve been beating on mine since 2009 and never had one issue with it. If you’re switching from a Gibson this is the Strat for you. I can’t imagine how badass this guitar would be with buckers in it or at least one. I’ve never tried the model in this video but I’m sure it’s as good or better if EJ’s name is on it.

[@baggaza]

Trogdog is in the house, and coffee is in hand! Welcome back Troglodytes!

[@unclefoiley819]

Trogly dogly.🐶

[@DougMen1]

I'm surprised that it has a back cover. The standard Eric Johnson ones don't, and they don't even have screw holes for one, as well as 5 springs, not four.

[@monstrok]

Thanks for the coverage on this model. I was always curious about the specs in a realistic setting (and not a glowing magazine feature). Nice work on the EJ licks too!

[@spaceblues5972]

This is one of my favorite channels on youtube, thank you so much for your incredible uploads

[@podfuk]

I'm not a strat guy, but this one is really gorgeous, I like all Eric's special features too, nice review!

[@y2ksierra]

My Eric Johnson strat with a rosewood board is one of my favorite guitars. The 12” radius and fat neck are just perfect.

[@ErickC]

It sounds like... a Strat with an inverted pickup. Hey I really love how real you are with your skills and hearing your growth in ability over the years. It's refreshing.

[@anthonyc1883]

5:17 "An interesting little L-shaped rout." I think that's known as the "worm rout" and it was a bit of extra wood removed to accommodate the girth of all six pickup wires going to the controls. At that point, two wires from each pickup came together for a very short run of six between the lead pickup and the controls.. It was something extra that had to be added to the already existing machine-cut pickup cavity.

[@Stoney037]

Also I feel like you playing has gotten better. Hearing you play a bit of cliffs of dover and decently well was nice. I don't think you would have ever done that in older reviews. Congrats. Keep it up

[@BOOLsheet]

Would recommend the EJ rosewood models. I got one when they first came out and still love it. Great craftsmanship and great tones. Don’t think enough people know about it but they’re cheaper these days and stack up very well against other similar priced Strat style guitars.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I’ve had my forever strat for 20 years but I might consider trading it for an EJ strat! I played a couple a long time ago and were a joy to play, better than some custom shops that I’ve tried!

[@fairguinevere666]

Man, I love all those little tweaks to the guitar. Like I don't know if I'd like how they feel and sound, but the length Fender went to make it all like his is really really cool to see in a production guitar.

[@dbrewster7831]

Easy enough to swap the middle pickup leads around if you don't like that thin out of phase. The 57-62 pickups are great pickups. I've done this on two EJ V's and the 4th position after you do this sounds awesome! You get that classic quack back..

[@LS-cb7lg]

thank you so much for putting all metric in this video :D i love it

[@allthingsclassicrock]

I have the standard EJ and I absolutely love the 12” radius neck. You can the action really low and no fretting out on bends!

[@rickwright3000]

I picked up one of these a few weeks ago. Definitely took some getting used to. I'm liking it more all the time though. Very unique sounding. Eric likes the high e nut slot a little to the left. Nice touch!

[@cpoyet4107]

Thanks for asking what we wanted to see today,... Was so much feeling like Fender... Great one, one of my favorite...

[@krookedskater87]

Something about the intro just makes me happy

[@brockfelt8901]

Hey trogly your frickin awesome, you should to an ernie ball st vincent with the 3 pickup config it has a very interesting wiring setup

[@Klang4evre]

@Pompous Psycho who?

[@prsplayer210]

@Pompous Psycho your name checks out

[@TheSuperblackmetal]

@Pompous Psycho "she has dated women so she dislikes men" lmao wtf

[@dannyv.6358]

I proud to own an early '05 EJ. Best Strat I've ever owned. Have the action somewhat higher than I usually like, but she rings so good it'll vibrate my strap when standing. Im a fan👍

[@Tailwheelr16]

Great review Austin. You’re polling worked well for you!

[@bigmikeyz0071]

I looked at a Virgina Strat but instead I pre ordered a Brent Mason tele. Both are great but the Mason tele pups are so versital. They are hard to come by but you should review one. The bender is a ridiculous amount of fun. Great video Austin.

[@babwaffles]

The Eric Johnson strat is magical I got one for my birthday last year and it’s probably my favorite guitar

[@maniacmachinist1561]

The offset seem is on the other side by the arm rest and I’ve one of these for a few months and it’s quickly becoming my fav strat I’ve ever played

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

7:30pm upload? Cool I get my daily dose of guitar information early

[@ArchieOnEarth]

Had to figure Austin would play a bit of Cliffs of Dover in the demo. However, EJ played most of the track on an ES-335.

[@Heavymetallord1]

I loved the tones you got out of that, and as a primarily Gibson player those big frets look really appealing

[@glenkepic3208]

EJ, That Austin City Limits offering was amazing. At one time my favorite living guitar player (no faves nowadays).

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Nice job, wish you would do more Fender video's like this.

[@showtime3162]

The distortion on the bridge sounded so good

[@1999zrx1100]

I had one for a few years, regret selling it, the neck and big head stock reminded me of an old 70’s Strat I had at one point, regret selling that as well 😢 I remember the neck was referred to as a Baseball Bat style. I just love the big chunky necks. Cheers 😎

[@picksalot1]

It was very interesting to hear about the mods on EJ's Strat. Thanks

[@docmcbungas3303]

My 2017 Mexican made classic player 60s strat has a 12" radius fretboard. I didnt notice when i bought it because knew very little about guitars at the time. I've fallen in love with that spec on fender guitars since although i dont mind the rounder ones when i encounter them.

[@mikegro5337]

I would love to see you do a review and demo of a Crimson copper rodded. Totally unique custom made guitars and I think others that maybe watch Ben's videos would be equally curious to know how good they really are.

[@timothyplonk4266]

Sassafras for a guitar body. I thought that I knew just about every tonewood used but that's definitely a new one. The HS-2's were interesting as well. One of my favorite reviews. Awesome tone

[@bigmikeyz0071]

Yeah Leo Fender was a very thrifty guy who wouldn't waste anything. He'd use paint that was mixed wrong to paint items in the factory and he got a lot of materials locally to save money. In the 1950's Leo would get deals on small batches of less desirable woods from lumber suppliers. He'd use these woods mostly on strat bodies in limited production runs. Today these guitars are very valuable and the fender custom shop has done copies of limba, sassafras, and mahogany strats. Leo also made all pine prototype esquires in the late 40's.

[@fendafred]

Just got one (260th according to its serial number ) and it came with 5 springs installed from factory. Nice Strat. It’s a bit heavy (3,69kg) but it’s very well balanced (not like a 2005 Deluxe I’ve had). I’m surprised how good the bridge pickup sounds. The out of phase position is useless (to me) so I’ll have to fix it when I replace the strings. The sassafras body has nice 3D figures, it’s nicely grained.

[@teknomanning]

When I hear your opening theme,my whole being just relaxes.

[@jonlennon3348]

I have an 05 with h-s-s config with quilt top and all kinds of extras including an ebony board with a push push switching.

[@jamesboggs9584]

If you're interested in Strats with a Gibson style neck I would check out the 1983 "2 knob Strats". They were a commercial failure, but I love the necks on them. They have a width of about 1.6875 and a radius of 12".

[@ellianascencio1873]

Anybody know if it’s possible to rewire the pickups to get the traditional tone of the neck + middle position on this guitar? The whole polarity/phase concept is pretty foreign to me

[@tommyalkon]

The neck pickup sounded awesome!

[@ziggylayneable]

Something about that particular Strat right there is just absolutely beautiful I would love to have that guitar and it sounds SOOO good.

[@b.rodclark7349]

A '54 without the button string tree looks more like a '57 on the note of the butterfly string tree. As for the tones, all's wired correctly once the neck pickup wires which explains the out-of-phase sound going on there.

[@emptyarms6113]

On the custom shop variation they have the Virginia taped on the inside just like the original!

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

I'd just get the EJ Signature Strat and put a proper HS2 in the bridge. Or do they come factory installed?

[@garycoates4987]

my 79 strat is wired with the middle pup reverse phase, so heres a cool thing about that sound when you use a lot of disitortion that inbetween position gives you overtones almost like an "Octavia" pedal but mainly with you roll off one of the tone knobs it sounds almost like a "cocked wah" sound Frank Zappa and Brian May use those reverse phase single coil tones a lot.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Were those jumbo frets along the same dimensions as something like the TV yellow Les Paul Special? The only time I picked up a replica of the Brian May Red Special, I went nowhere near the Queen catalog but came closer to playing Sergio Mendes. More people getting a signature model need to consider not trying to duplicate the music of the artist it is named for. When first I learned as a teenager that this was the model that Eric Johnson favoured, it was awesome for me knowing that he was compelled to play the same type of guitar as not only Eric Clapton but also Buddy Holly.

[@visje1996]

Thanks for the metric neck measurements again trogly

[@flakey414]

It also has the slightly rounder/softer headstock shape that early 50s Strats had, which i only recently found out was a thing when i was looking at the 60th Anniversary American Vintage 54 Strat. Looks a lot nicer than the modern headstock to my eyes.

[@flakey414]

Being totally selfish here, Trogly. But if you could get your hands on the above mentioned 60th Anni. Strat and document it, that'd be awesome. It has some other quirky pieces on it that make it more vintage correct than most regular 54 reissues.

[@henryrodriguez2054]

There is a reason that the springs are configured in that way on the trem unit. Eric explained it in a video when they released the guitar.

[@MrSongwriter2]

Worm route in the bridge pickup location is traditional on vintage spec strats

[@Jason-wo5rr]

I got an SRV strat for Christmas (woohoo!) and the neck is also 12” and the frets are super tall. At first it almost felt like a scalloped fretboard but as I’ve grown used to them I’m enjoying it a lot more especially because it allows me to dig into the notes more and I’m able to get some great blues vibrato and bends with it.

[@sidiox7857]

What a gift! Congrats. 😉👍

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Cliffs of Trogly...👍

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

It would be cool to see a direct comparison between this and the $9K version!

[@5000rgb]

If you send them to me I'll do it.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

I have several Sassafras trees on my land here in SE Ohio, but none _that_ thick! Making tea with the smaller sassafras tree roots is very tasty!

[@HUGEGUY405]

Anyone know how to make gloss urethane not sticky on fretboard?

[@geofflee6295]

How did you resolve the 'plinky nut' issue?

[@fongy200]

Does it have an odd saddle for any particular reason?

[@BenjaminRichardCraig]

nice job learning some of cliffs of dover. sounds great

[@johnsikora6043]

what kind of amp are you playing through?

[@haqq4257]

This traffic is pretty cool aside from the few quirks that were mentioned. I think it definitely sounds better with Distortion were over driven that it does clean. If you want to hear a really cool sounding Eric Johnson Stratocaster and do a review of a very unique guitar, check out fenders Eric Johnson Thinline semi-hollow body Stratocaster. Now that is a sweet Axe. Maybe senior trogly would consider doing a review of that guitar even though it is not current production model but it's definitely worth documenting.

[@calebjenkins9129]

Missed opportunity for a progress Monday to learn Cliffs of Dover

[@clarkbabin9799]

When you said you were no Eric Johnson I wasn't you to rip on COD but you blew me away that you put in the effort. I'm about the same playing that one. Personally I like that beefy sounding bridge but I think they should give the option of having a humbucker with coil split. I'm more used to the neck sounding thicker though. Maybe that's what sets this apart from being like a Gibson.

[@darylwallace9643]

Charvel is using Sassafras for some of it's 2021 models.

[@jeffshirkey3085]

What amp were you playing through?

[@rocksimpson4800]

Pretty good playing at the end of the demo! Keep it up! Great demo!

[@Epoxydog]

Is the neck still quarter sawn?

[@DaveShichmanMusic]

Very cool that your asking your viewers what to upload next!

[@SageStevens]

Hey good job throwing down a bit of Cliffs. I suspect you were hesitant? Your playing has improved and good for you for throwing down!

[@firewalker6712]

You forgot about the flat washer used on the output jack. Look into why he uses one instead of a lock washer.

[@kilhattrick]

5:05 I'm looking and don't see it. Job well done.

[@baggaza]

These playing demos really heating up, on you Trog.

[@CapableFox64]

Can you get a 1959 Les Paul epiphone? Interested to see your review!!

[@CapableFox64]

@Nikki Magnusson tbh the more I listen the more pretentious he sounds.

[@CapableFox64]

@Nikki Magnusson sorry to hear that about yours. Hopefully mine comes out well.

[@aaronperrotta7055]

@Nikki Magnusson You didn't get the only bad one. There's probably usually 2 out of 10 that are any good. Honestly though, I've owned quite a few and got rid of all of them. I'm not being a hater, but they're just not a Gibson, whose had their own well documented QC issues over the years, but never with me. Epis though are great value for the price and Gibson has done a lot lately to improve them, but when I see them approaching a thousand dollars I'd rather just spend more and get the Gibson.

[@aaronperrotta7055]

@Nikki Magnusson Cool. Do you like it?

[@KALVIN123]

Check the channel of Dárrell Braun or agufish for that epi 59

[@matthewshort7904]

I've seen were he states that he uses the HS-2 in the bridge on other guitars. Does anyone know what the neck and middle pickups were? Thank you!

[@chaz32]

57/62 for both, lovely!

[@Ed-yj8ts]

I really find the bridge pickup a bit weak and feckless - on two different Virginias. I wonder if raising the bridge pickup closer would help the output or if doing so would unleash the fury of the setup God's on me. Nice breakdown of the guitar. Nice playing!

[@reverbdeluxe]

If you like the stories series you have to check out the Brent Mason telecaster. Fender can't make enough of them to fill the demand.

[@gabewilliams7462]

What happened to that gadget you used to use to show a visual representation of the neck shape?

[@astrohartley1439]

Also if you could explain the gadget, I never know if it is the top or bottom I should look at.

[@AlwaysMusicandTone]

The V in the serial number stands for Vintage. Fender uses the V for all it’s vintage series guitars. Also the original 54 Stratocaster had a button style string tree. EJ preferred the pure vintage string tree.

[@stratsouldier]

It stands for Virginia

[@gunsofsteele]

Picked up a 1st year EJ in a trade. It's not a VA, S/N starts with EJ. Super sweet but it has that annoying 50s hum issue when volume is cranked. Goes away with hand on the bridge. Ground circuit is good. No string tree, 5 springs, no back cover, all Fender EJ PUPs. Probably gonna trade it for a Tash Sultana or EC.

[@duanewelsh5611]

Nice strat. Love EJ as a player. Try one of his signature thinline strats if you get a chance.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Interesting guitar... Not sure if I'd like it - my own Strat from the early 90's has a thinner neck that I'm used to - but I'd try one if I see one. Mine also has larger than vintage style frets. All original, so that must have been a thing back then (I bought it in '92).

[@Goodiebar18]

Did you ever do a Fender CS Gilmour Blackstrat review?

[@tomfoolery2082]

Is the scale length still fender ?

[@xxtwnz2919]

The Virginia signature was on the end grain of the neck. If Fender recreated it accurately, you’ll have to unscrew the neck to see it.

[@stratsouldier]

Nope, was in the control cavity. The only people that signed necks were the neck shapers like Tadio Gomez

[@martinclayton7260]

How much can you get off of a new guitar? What deals can you get?

[@aidancarlisle6237]

what song is 17:00 ?

[@bpastorb]

I would have gone for the Eric Johnson signature strat (artist series) over that thing. If I had the money to buy a USA made strat it would be between the American original 50's limited edition mary kay or the Eric Johnson signature, really like the specs he chose and I like how it comes from the factory with no backplate (or holes drilled), looks super clean

[@Adrenalsky2]

Bro! Stop knocking your playing! I have watched you grow over the years and you are great.

[@Stoney037]

Are you going to do a Brent Mason signature telecaster review? I think that guitar looks amazing and I think it is part of this series too

[@mattier3030]

Debating buying this from your store , thanks for the demo!

[@drew5400]

Fender 57/62's are sweet pickups