Hello Everyone! I am thinking about buying an EJ Strat. I played one I really like and will more than likely buy it. I want some opinions though.

First off, would you pay $1400 for a used one? Mint condition, still has hangtags and everything that came in the case.

It'll be somewhat of an adjustment. My primary guitar right now has a Wizard II neck which I'm fond. That neck has a 15.75" radius vs the 12" EJ radius. 12" still seems pretty flat though. Is 12" considered flat, rounded, or in the middle???

For those of you who have played them, what's your favorite feature? It's got plenty to chose from. In my opinion, this is pretty much the ultimate Strat manufactured today. However, I did play a RW model (Rosewood with binding) and didn't like it at all! Not sure why it felt that different. Anyways, let me know what you think.

Also, what other guitars would you consider purchasing in this price range? $1,400 - $1,600. I'm mainly looking for great tone in this guitar, but also like floating trems (which kills tone in my experience).

Thanks!

I too played a wizard neck until recently. I bought my strat because I just wanted to own one. I wasn't prepared for how much I would like the big fat neck and radiused fret board. I thought I liked thin necks and flat fretboards until I bought the strat. My other guitars are just hanging on the wall appreciating in value now. I own a couple of guitars that are lightyears ahead of the stratocaster in terms of value and craftsmanship but for some reason I can't keep my hands off my clunky piece of junk strat. I'm just drawn to the thing...

I too,easily made the transition from Ibanez thin neck to Strat neck, years ago. i personally think it would be much harder to transition from a thick, more round neck, to a thin flat one.

On the EJ strat, i darn near bought one too. in fact, if someone hadn't bought it while I was convincing myself to pull the trigger, i probably would have.

Though i only kind of like a couple of his songs, and wouldn't really consider myself a fan, as i think most of his stuff would be right at home in an elevator, or in the dentist's waiting room, I really really liked the guitar.

the neck was excellent, and I liked the idea of the thinner headstock, and no string trees (though i have never been unhappy with the tone from guitars with them.) i would say it is certainly one of the best axes in it's price range.

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

I've noticed that the Best Buys in my area (Wash DC) have the EJ strat (2-tone burst) on clearance for $1400 brand new, and you can probably talk them down a bit from that.

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'10 Gibson LP Studio Faded
'09 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
'08 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster
'07 Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster
'05 Breedlove AC 25 SR Plus

I would love to own an EJ Strat. I think those guitars are beautiful. I love the neck tint. Traditional looks and modern sound and playability. Too cool.

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Fender 50th Anniversary Strat
Fender Road Worn '50s Strat
Fender Highway One (HSS) Strat (D standard tuning)
Fender '72 Tele Deluxe
Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212

Got mine 6 month ago on ebay at $1400. Here in Canada a brand new was +$800. If it's maybe always possible to find a used one half price, but I would pay much more anytime to have this EJ in here. Like very much the 1 piece quatersawn maple neck, soft V and radius. Unplugged, this guitar sounds great and explain in a large part for the amplified result. Very open, sustained and responsive sound. Still that it is only playing one that you can discover its greatness and versatility since the wide range of tone available. Love it!

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E.J. Strat 2006
American special tele (2011) with custom shop nocaster pu
Mexican Jazz bass fretless
Gibson Howard Roberts
Ibanez Roadstar II
MESA Express 5:25