Ok, another opinion question.

Do you put any credibility to giving your Strat as much "breathing ability" by having as much bare wood as possible?

I have heard that Eric Johnson has removed all the finish under the pickguard to let his guitars breathe - thereby improving the tone.

It has merit - but I don't know to what degree the mod would affect tone.

Shane~

Eric Johnson has removed the finish under the bridge, to allow for more direct contact from bridge to wood. Does this make a difference? I dunno.

But I've never heard the "under the pickguard" thing, and I thought I'd heard them all. I think that most of the Eric Johnson tone myths, like most of the things Yogi Berra "said," are made up and attributed to him. As Yogi himself actually did say in an interview, "You know, I didn't really say all the things I said."

You know, just because he is Eric Johnson doesn't mean he's not fully vulnerable to placebo effect. He may in fact be horrible at determining what he actually hears and what he thinks he does. As for this particular thing, i seriously doubt it would make enough difference to really notice, and if you did it would be so subtle you would never notice it during regular playing.....you would have to listen hard to tell. I have pretty sensitive ears and have removed poly finishes from at least 2 guitars and played then bare only to hear no detectable difference. at least noting i could be sure wasn't placebo effect. So much for the nitro myth.

I think thin-ness or absence of finish is more connected with the rate at which the wood dries out rather than whether or not it's keeping all that precious tone bottled up inside... heh. That is, if your instrument has a "thin skin" it'll maybe have whatever resonant properties can be attributed to older wood after twenty years instead of forty.

Mr Johnson tried it both ways and felt there was a perceptible difference when the paint was removed from under the bridge... maybe the same effect could be achieved by tightening the screws holding the bridge down; I don't know. I can sort of understand wanting bare (or close to it) wood elsewhere on a guitar -- parts that your arms and hands actually come into contact with -- purely because it feels nice and comfortable, and if your guitar feels different to you it will probably sound different, too. Some of the other refinements on the EJ guitars I can definitely see the point of, though... quartersawn neck etc... sure, why not! I'd like to give one a go.

Eric Johnson also thinks his Fuzz Face sounds better with a rubber band holding the back cover on, instead of the screws. The guy can play, but things like this? I don't know.

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1994 Standard Strat, Blue
2000 Standard Strat, Black, with GFS block, and GFS Lil Killer pickup.
2004 Standard Telecaster, Black
1971 Gibson SG
1985 Kramer Baretta
1986 Kramer Vangard
Carvin X60B
Marshall 50 watt 2x12 combo

My personal favorite is, he can hear the tonal differences in voltage amongst the various battery manufacturers.

There's a thin line between genius and madness.

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You dig?

The only thing I know about Eric Johnson regarding tone, is that in my opionion, his signature strat is tonally speaking the best non-custom shop strat Ive played. I've made countless mods and tweeks to improve the tone on my guitars, and when I played his at a shop, I thought it sounded phenominal. So I'll give him and his ear the benefit of the doubt and try what he suggests.

Well, i for one wouldn't him ANYONE who says "my Fuzz Face sounds better with a rubber band holding the back cover on instead of the screws" the benefit of the doubt ! I mean, thats way past comical. Remember what i said in my last post? Now i know i was right !

As far as I'm concerned, there never was any doubt.

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You dig?

I often wonder how much EJ is screwing with us, and how he laughs when people follow his little superstitions.

Just because someone is 'elite' at what they do, it doesn't make them immune to irrational behavior. I give you as evidence --Baseball's rally cap, and Hockey's playoff beard.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I wonder how much of what eric johnson comes out with is part of his sponsorship deals with various companies. Say this eric and it will become law, and we'll sell more overpriced product.

The main reason i dont buy artist/signature stuff is that its part of a advertizing ploy thats a direct assault on your senses.

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No no and no

Frankly, I don't think it's an act. I think he genuinely believes what he says. Reinforcing your point, one can be quite functional socially and still live in their own world where wallowing in irrationality IS the norm.

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You dig?

These days an " EJ says/does" comment is about on par with a Chuck Norris joke.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Well, asking others who gigged, my experience is that of the successful musicians I have met/talked to/ known there is a large percentage of wingnuts. Don't get me wrong, all great folks, but just a bit wiggy!

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I thought it was a pre-requisite.

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No no and no