Here's my story about buying a new Eric Johnson Strat -- built in 2006 in a 3-Color burst -- and I paid around $1700.

I found mine at Wildwood hidden at the bottom of this page:

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/artist/

If you've priced out the new EJ Strats, you know they run from $2,300 for the maple neck to to $2,500 for the RW. Forget the Muscian's Friend Freaky Friday deal when the original EJ's were going for $1,499 out the door -- that was the deal of the century. SMILE!

Anyway... Wildwood obviously didn't raise their prices on their FSR (Factory Special Run) of EJ Strats when the rest of the world did -- and the Wildwood version comes in a 3-Color Burst, not a 2-Color burst, and I also get a signed EJ pickguard as part of the package.

I still think the Wildwood deal beats the MF fire sale because of the FSR uniqueness.

I have nothing to do with Wildwood -- I learned about them here on the forum in the various Gilmour discussions and then did some research and asking around. I'm thrilled to have a Gilmour NOS from them as well.

Here are my reviews:

http://urbansemiotic.com/2009/10/08/the ... rs-review/

http://scientificaesthetic.com/2009/10/ ... eview.html

I have no vested interest in Wildwood -- I get no chits or favors or anything else from them -- I am here on my own accord and I'm just a satisfied customer sharing a great experience in finding a hidden gem.

Thanks for the good wishes! The EJ is a fantastic guitar. I like it better than my Custom Shop Clapton. The EJ plays so fast and well. I've been looking for just the right one, at the right price, for a looooong time.

Last December GC was blowing them out @ 999.00, the older version, to make way for the new model.

Congrat!
I got mine 2 weeks ago! It is also a 2006. I found it on ebay and it is nearly mint. I'm having a hard time to work since..., I just want to play!
Cheers.

That's a crazy good price.

I wonder why there's a RW EJ now?

Did he change his guitar that much?

Are there others in the Artist Series that have had two different guitars released at such different price points?

I'm with you on the wanting to play! The EJ is a hard guitar to put away. I'm so glad you were able to find one you liked.

I found a mint GE Smith Telecaster in black on eBay. It was a terrific deal and a great find.

One of the changes was binding on the fretboard.

What do you think of that binding? Is it merely aesthetic, or does it contribute to sound and playability in some way? Does that change warrant a whole new model in the EJ series?

Same here. No sunburst.

In my YouTube search, I found this EJ Fender video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NYIrjvhCfE

Great stuff. He talks a little bit about his RW guitar at 13:50.

I agree I would buy the RW model based on my experience with the original EJ strat. It really is a wildly expressive guitar and it's pretty easy to play, too.

Were Wildwood willing to negotiate the price? Smaller mom and pop sometimes do.

Hiya,

Yes, if you read the reviews I posted in my original message, Wildwood knocked something off the posted web price of all the guitars I bought. They took the least off the EJ, version, though -- they were also willing to negotiate the price and terms quickly via email.

Musician's Friend/PrivateReserveGuitars.com won't negotiate in email... they'll only knock something off the price if you talk to them on the phone first.

Not surprising as its already priced well below the competition.

Exactly. I thought the same thing. Their deal for that special run guitar is already really good.