Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster, Tropical Turquoise Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster in Tropical Turquoise is a highly refined American-made signature Strat designed around Eric Johnson's famously exacting approach to feel, construction and electric guitar tone.

Rather than simply applying an artist finish to a conventional Stratocaster, Fender incorporates a carefully selected set of details throughout the instrument. A lightweight two-piece alder body with deep 1957-style contours is paired with a quartersawn maple Soft “V” neck, while the bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard uses a flatter 12-inch radiusand 21 medium-jumbo frets for smooth bends and precise lead playing.

Three specially voiced Eric Johnson single-coil pickups provide the classic SSS versatility at the heart of the design, while the vintage-style tremolo has been extensively specified around Johnson's preferences. Finished in distinctive Tropical Turquoise with nitrocellulose lacquer and supplied with a Deluxe Blonde hardshell case, strap, cable and bridge cover, this is a premium Stratocaster built for players who appreciate thoughtful details rather than unnecessary complexity.

At A Glance

Feature	Detail
Brand	Fender
Model	Eric Johnson Stratocaster Rosewood
Model Number	0117700897
Series	Artist Signature
Finish	Tropical Turquoise
Body	Lightweight Two-Piece Alder
Neck	Quartersawn Maple, Soft “V”
Fingerboard	Bound Round-Laminated Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Pickups	3 x Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coils
Included	Deluxe Blonde Hardshell Case, Strap, Cable & Bridge Cover
Main Appeal	Highly refined vintage-inspired Strat with modern lead-friendly fingerboard
Best For	Blues, rock, fusion, instrumental guitar, studio work and expressive lead playing

What's Included?

• Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster in Tropical Turquoise

• Deluxe Blonde hardshell case with brown ends and gold interior

• Levy's woven guitar strap

• 15' Koil Kords cable

• Chrome “ash tray” bridge cover

• American Vintage tremolo arm

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every new guitar sold through Fair Deal Music is checked before leaving us, with attention given to the electronics, controls, hardware and overall playing condition.

On the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, particular attention is paid to the three signature pickups, five-way switching, dedicated bridge Tone control, vintage-style tremolo and tuning hardware.

The guitar is checked and set up before leaving the shop. As with any wooden instrument, setup can shift slightly during delivery because of changes in temperature and humidity. If you need advice on action, neck relief, tremolo adjustment, intonation or string gauge after delivery, our experienced team is happy to help.

Why Choose The Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster?

Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Pickups

The three single-coil pickups were developed specifically around Eric Johnson's tonal requirements rather than simply using a standard production Stratocaster set.

Each pickup uses countersunk mounting screws and works through traditional five-way Strat switching, giving you the familiar neck, middle, bridge and combined positions while retaining the individual character intended for this signature model.

Quartersawn Maple Soft “V” Neck

The neck is made from quartersawn maple, chosen for its strength and stability, with a vintage-inspired Soft “V” profile.

It has more personality than a generic modern “C” neck and is particularly appealing to players who like to wrap their thumb around the neck or prefer a more substantial shape beneath the hand.

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard With 12-Inch Radius

One of the most distinctive specifications is the round-laminated rosewood fingerboard with white binding.

Its 12" radius is noticeably flatter than Fender's traditional 7.25" vintage radius and the common modern 9.5" radius. Combined with medium-jumbo frets, it gives players plenty of room for expressive bends and articulate lead work.

Deep 1957-Style Body Contours

Fender gives the lightweight two-piece alder body deeper 1957-style contours, reflecting Johnson's preference for the feel of earlier Stratocasters.

The design retains the instantly familiar Strat shape while providing a carefully refined body profile rather than simply using the standard production carve.

Customised Vintage Tremolo

The tremolo system incorporates numerous Eric Johnson-specific details, including a silver-painted block, '57-style string recess, five tremolo springs and no paint between the base plate and block.

There is also no rear tremolo cavity cover and no screw holes for one, keeping the rear of the instrument consistent with Johnson's preferred specification.

Dedicated Bridge Tone Control

Unlike traditional Stratocaster wiring where the bridge pickup may be left without its own Tone control, this guitar uses Tone 1 for the neck pickup and Tone 2 for the bridge pickup.

That gives you direct control over the brightness of the bridge position, making it easier to soften the attack without altering your amplifier.

Key Features

• Fender Artist Signature Series

• Made in USA

• Tropical Turquoise finish

• Lightweight two-piece alder body

• Deep 1957-style body contours

• Gloss lacquer body finish

• Quartersawn maple neck

• Soft “V” neck profile

• Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer neck finish

• Bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard

• 12" fingerboard radius

• 21 medium-jumbo frets

• Bone nut

• 25.5" scale length

• Three specially voiced Eric Johnson single-coil pickups

• Countersunk pickup mounting screws

• Five-way pickup selector

• Master Volume

• Neck Tone control

• Bridge Tone control

• 6-saddle American Vintage synchronized tremolo

• Five tremolo springs

• No rear tremolo cover or cover screw holes

• Vintage-style staggered tuning machines

• No string trees required

• Single-ply parchment pickguard

• Nickel/chrome hardware

• Custom engraved four-bolt neck plate

• Deluxe Blonde hardshell case included

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Eric Johnson Rosewood Stratocaster vs Eric Johnson Maple Stratocaster

Both Eric Johnson signature models share many of the defining specifications, including the lightweight alder body, quartersawn Soft “V” maple neck, signature pickups, 12" radius and customised vintage-style tremolo.

The key difference is the fingerboard. This Tropical Turquoise version uses a bound round-laminated rosewood board, while the Maple model provides a more traditional one-piece maple-neck aesthetic.

Choose the rosewood version if you prefer the darker fingerboard, binding and mid-'60s-inspired visual influence. Choose the maple version if the classic all-maple Fender neck appearance is central to what you want.

Eric Johnson Stratocaster vs American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster

The American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster is a much stricter period recreation, with a 7.25" radius maple fingerboard, vintage-style frets and Pure Vintage '57 pickups.

The Eric Johnson model borrows heavily from '50s Fender ideas but adds features specifically chosen for Johnson, particularly the flatter 12" fingerboard and medium-jumbo frets.

Choose the American Vintage II if period accuracy is the priority. Choose the Eric Johnson if you like vintage construction but want a considerably more lead-friendly fingerboard.

Eric Johnson Stratocaster vs American Professional II Stratocaster

The American Professional II Stratocaster is designed as a contemporary professional workhorse, with a Deep “C” neck, 9.5" radius, V-Mod II pickups, modern two-point tremolo and additional switching.

The Eric Johnson model has a much more specialised personality. Its nitro finish, Soft “V” neck, 21 frets, vintage-style tremolo and signature pickups make it better suited to someone who actively wants Johnson's carefully developed interpretation of a vintage-style Strat.

Eric Johnson Stratocaster vs American Ultra II Stratocaster

The American Ultra II Stratocaster represents Fender's high-performance modern direction, with advanced neck geometry, Noiseless pickups and contemporary hardware.

The Eric Johnson Strat goes in almost the opposite direction: traditional single coils, vintage-style tremolo construction and a stripped-back control philosophy, but with a flatter fingerboard for expressive lead playing.

Choose the Ultra II for modern performance features and noise reduction. Choose the Eric Johnson for a more organic vintage-inspired platform with carefully selected signature refinements.

Who Is The Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster For?

This is a specialist Stratocaster, but you certainly do not need to play Eric Johnson's music to appreciate it.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Experienced Stratocaster players

• Eric Johnson fans

• Blues and rock guitarists

• Instrumental lead players

• Fusion musicians

• Studio and session guitarists

• Players who prefer 12" fingerboard radii

• Guitarists who like Soft “V” neck profiles

• Players who want vintage Fender character without a 7.25" radius

• Musicians who prefer traditional single-coil pickups

• Guitarists who use expressive bends and vibrato

• Players looking for a premium American-made signature Strat

• Fender collectors seeking a distinctive Tropical Turquoise model

Looking for advice on choosing between an Eric Johnson Stratocaster, American Vintage II, American Professional II or American Ultra II? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Eric Johnson Stratocaster is naturally suited to blues, rock, fusion, instrumental guitar and expressive lead playing, but its traditional SSS layout gives it much broader potential.

The neck pickup provides the smooth, articulate sound associated with classic Strat lead work, while the bridge pickup delivers additional attack for driven rhythm and cutting melodic lines. The dedicated bridge Tone control is especially useful for controlling that brightness without changing amplifier settings.

Positions two and four retain the characteristic combined Strat sounds that work well for clean rhythm, funk, pop and layered recording.

The flatter 12" radius makes this guitar particularly attractive to players who use larger bends, precise vibrato and more technically demanding lead techniques but still want a fundamentally vintage-inspired Fender.

Why Is The Eric Johnson Stratocaster Fingerboard Different?

Traditional vintage Stratocasters commonly use a 7.25-inch radius, while many modern Fender guitars use 9.5".

Eric Johnson specified a considerably flatter 12-inch radius, which reduces the curvature across the width of the fingerboard.

For the player, this can make larger string bends and faster lead work more comfortable, particularly when paired with the guitar's medium-jumbo frets.

What makes the rosewood version particularly distinctive is that Fender combines this modern-playing radius with an elegant bound, round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, creating an unusual mix of vintage visual character and more contemporary lead-guitar geometry.

Story & Context

Eric Johnson is one of the guitarists most closely associated with the Stratocaster, and his reputation for carefully refining every element of his tone is reflected directly in Fender's signature model.

Instead of creating a radically modern guitar, Johnson's specification draws heavily on the characteristics he values in older Fender instruments. The deep '57-style body contours, Soft “V” neck, nitrocellulose lacquer and vintage-style tremolo all point towards that influence.

The important difference is that the guitar is not intended to be a precise recreation of one historical Stratocaster. Features such as the 12" fingerboard radius, medium-jumbo frets, specially voiced pickups and bridge Tone control reflect Johnson's own requirements.

The rosewood version pushes that idea further with its bound round-laminated fingerboard, creating a Stratocaster that feels rooted in Fender history while remaining unmistakably an artist-developed instrument.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Brand	Fender
Model	Eric Johnson Stratocaster Rosewood
Model Number	0117700897
Series	Artist Signature
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Tropical Turquoise
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Material	Lightweight Two-Piece Alder
Body Contours	Deep 1957-Style
Body Finish	Gloss Lacquer
Neck Material	Quartersawn Maple
Neck Shape	Soft “V”
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Construction	Round-Laminated
Fingerboard Binding	1-Ply White
Fingerboard Radius	12" / 305 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	21
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays	White Pearloid Dot
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Bridge Pickup	Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil
Middle Pickup	Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Neck Tone, Bridge Tone
Switching	5-Position Blade
Bridge	6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Tremolo Springs	Five
Tremolo Arm	American Vintage
Rear Tremolo Cover	None
Tuning Machines	Vintage-Style Staggered
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	1-Ply Parchment
Control Knobs	Parchment Plastic
Switch Tip	Parchment
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Custom
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel .010–.046
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Case	Deluxe Blonde Hardshell with Brown Ends and Gold Interior

Power Requirements

The Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster uses passive single-coil electronics and does not require a battery or external power supply.

Connect it to your amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster in Tropical Turquoise is one of those signature guitars where the artist involvement results in a genuinely different instrument rather than a standard model with cosmetic changes.

The standout combination is its quartersawn Soft “V” neck, bound 12" rosewood fingerboard and specially voiced pickups. It blends vintage Fender character with a fingerboard geometry particularly well suited to expressive lead playing.

Best suited for: Experienced Strat players, blues and instrumental guitarists, Eric Johnson fans and players who want vintage-inspired construction without a traditional vintage-radius fingerboard.

Customers usually upgrade from: American Professional Stratocasters, Player and Player II models, vintage-style production Strats and other premium S-style guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Quality valve amplifiers, overdrive, fuzz, delay, reverb and compression.

Our tip: This is a guitar to choose because of the neck as much as the pickups. If you enjoy vintage-style Soft “V” profiles but prefer a flatter fingerboard for bending, the Eric Johnson specification occupies a particularly interesting middle ground.

Showroom feedback: The 12" bound rosewood fingerboard immediately separates this guitar from most traditional Stratocasters. It provides a noticeably flatter playing surface while the rest of the instrument retains a strong vintage-inspired Fender feel.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps guitarists choose instruments based on what will genuinely suit their playing, sound and budget. Whether you're comparing Artist Signature models, looking for your first premium American Fender or searching for a very particular Stratocaster neck and pickup specification, we're here to help you make the right choice.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Extensive experience with new, pre-owned and premium Fender guitars

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster made in the USA?

Yes. The Eric Johnson Stratocaster is an American-made Fender Artist Signature model.

What makes the Eric Johnson Stratocaster different from a normal Strat?

Key differences include its lightweight two-piece alder body, deep '57-style contours, quartersawn Soft “V” maple neck, 12" bound rosewood fingerboard, signature pickups, customised vintage tremolo and dedicated bridge Tone control.

Is the 12-inch radius easier for string bending?

A flatter 12" radius provides more room for large bends than a strongly curved vintage-style fingerboard, making it particularly appealing for expressive lead guitar techniques.

Are the Eric Johnson pickups noiseless?

No. They are traditional-style single-coil pickups developed specifically for this signature model, so normal single-coil hum can still occur.

Why does the guitar have no rear tremolo cover?

This is intentional and forms part of Eric Johnson's specified design. Fender does not install a tremolo cavity cover or even drill the usual screw holes for one.

Why are there five tremolo springs?

The five-spring arrangement is part of Johnson's preferred tremolo specification and gives the bridge a firmer, more traditional setup than many Stratocasters that use fewer springs.

Does the bridge pickup have a Tone control?

Yes. Tone 2 operates on the bridge pickup, allowing you to reduce high-frequency bite directly from the guitar.

Is this suitable for players who do not play Eric Johnson's music?

Absolutely. The signature specification can appeal to any player who wants a vintage-inspired Strat with a Soft “V” neck, flatter rosewood fingerboard and carefully voiced SSS pickups.

How does it compare with an American Vintage II Stratocaster?

The American Vintage II is designed around period accuracy. The Eric Johnson model mixes vintage-inspired construction with player-specific refinements such as the 12" radius and medium-jumbo frets, making it considerably less strict in its historical approach.

Is a hard case included?

Yes. Fender supplies this model with a Deluxe Blonde hardshell case with brown ends and gold interior, along with a strap, cable and bridge cover.