Fender Eric Johnson Strat WBL

Fender Eric Johnson Strat WBL review

The Fender Eric Johnson Strat WBL is a white, Eric Johnson signature Stratocaster built around familiar Strat-style features with a few distinctive details. It has a lightweight alder body, a one-piece maple neck with a V-shaped profile, a maple fingerboard, and three Eric Johnson Custom Shop pickups. Fender lists the model as available since September 2005. The supplied price is 2548, with no currency specified in the product information.

Player feedback points to two strong impressions: a very light, well-balanced instrument and a clear, versatile Strat sound. One reviewer who usually plays Les Paul guitars found the neck and fingerboard radius especially comfortable. That account also praised the finish and overall construction, while noting a small issue with the vibrato arm. These observations are useful context, but individual preferences and setup can affect the experience.

Construction and finish

The body is made from alder and described in the specifications as a two-piece design with deep contours. Fender identifies it as a lightweight body inspired by a 1957-style Stratocaster. The neck and fingerboard are both maple, with 21 medium frets. The finish is white, and the supplied information lists no separate top material.

The reviewer described the guitar as exceptionally light and still well balanced. No weight figure is provided, so that impression should be taken as a hands-on observation rather than a measured specification. The same account praised the thin, cleanly applied finish and said the build felt high quality throughout. The included case also earned a positive mention for feeling sturdy and well made.

Neck feel and playability

The neck has a V-shaped profile, a more substantial feel than a slim neck, and a 12-inch fingerboard radius according to the player report. That radius is flatter than the curve many players associate with a traditional Stratocaster. The reviewer, who generally prefers Les Pauls, found it comfortable and compared the feel favorably with historic Gibson necks, while describing it as slightly less substantial.

The 21 medium frets also contribute to the reported playing feel. The reviewer found the guitar easy to play and the fret size helpful. These are personal assessments, rather than guarantees about every instrument or setup. Players who prefer a very slim neck or a more pronounced fingerboard curve should try the guitar in person if possible.

Pickups and sound

Three specially designed Eric Johnson Custom Shop single-coil pickups provide the familiar three-pickup Strat layout. The guitar has one volume control and two tone controls. The player report describes five usable pickup sounds, with a distinctly Stratocaster character across the available combinations.

In that account, the low end stayed firm, while the high end sounded open without becoming harsh. The guitar was praised both clean and with distortion, and background noise was described as manageable. Those comments suggest a clearly defined voice that can cover more than one playing style, though pickup output, amplifier settings, and noise expectations vary from player to player. The report came from someone who was not an Eric Johnson devotee, which makes the favorable response a useful perspective beyond signature-model fandom.

Vintage tremolo and included case

Fender specifies an American Vintage synchronized tremolo and an ashtray-style bridge cover. The field report differs on the cover, stating that the tremolo had no cover. The supplied information does not explain whether this reflects a difference in setup, configuration, or the particular guitar reviewed, so buyers should confirm what is included with the instrument they are considering.

The reviewer also described five strong tremolo springs and found the system stable in tuning, but very difficult to use. That setup may suit players who prefer stability and rarely operate the arm. The same player found the vibrato arm's angle too pronounced and had to adjust it, then noticed some movement after it was screwed in. This was the clearest criticism in the report, particularly given the guitar's price and quality level.

A case is included, despite the general specification fields separately listing "including case" as yes and "including bag" as no. That matches the reviewer's favorable comments about the sturdy supplied case.

Verdict

The Fender Eric Johnson Strat WBL pairs a lightweight, contoured alder body with a V-shaped maple neck, a flatter 12-inch radius, and three custom single-coil pickups. The hands-on feedback highlights polished construction, comfortable playability for one Les Paul-oriented player, and a clear Strat sound across clean and driven tones. The main reservation concerns the tremolo arm's fit and the stiff, stability-focused setup. Players who want frequent, expressive tremolo use may want to test that system before buying. For those drawn to its neck feel, low reported weight, and defined Strat character, the model makes a strong impression.