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.