Hi all!

I have a chance to pick from a new 2008 american standard strat and a used Eric Johnson strat. Same price. What are your thoughts?

I would have some questions about the Eric Johnson model:

- It was introduced in 2005, am I wrong?
- have the specs changed since it's introduction?
- how will it keep it's value?
- what to wach from a used one? Is the nitrocellulose lacquer prone to suffer over time? How about the one-ply pickguard?

And anything else, I really have not that much experience buying a used guitar. Is the Johnson model worth it?

I like Eric Johnson and I wouldn't mind owning a signature model strat. I'd have to play both and see which one felt and sounded better.

Value is ultimately determined by the buyer, so wouldn't let that be a factor. Like I said I wouldn't mind having a signature model but I'm not willing to pay the price for a new one. Unless they made me play like the artist. Focus on feel and sound. I don't have the answers to your other questions, but I'm sure someone will be around shortly with some. The members here are pretty knowledgeable.

Welcome to the forum Stratum. Those are very subjective questions. You'll get varying opinions.
1st question- Yes it was introduced in 2005.
2nd- No I don't think the original has changed. Fender did introduce a new EJ model with Rosewood neck and binding.
3rd-Depends on the market and the economy. In the past sold used from 1200 to 1400 US. Now sellers will take less as you see. Check completed sold listings on Ebay. Thats a good indicator.
4th- Nitro finish is the bomb if you want to end up with the reliced look. the EJ is very thinskinned and I have seen several of theses guitars age prematurely. Very susceptible to abrupt temperature changes and the finish will check easily. single ply pickguard is a non issue for me.

I have the American Standard. I like the EJ because of the radius and the smooth sanded finish on the neck. I didn't buy it because new it was not worth the difference to me. If I could pick one up used for 800 or 900 US I'd probably buy it, but only because I already own the American Standard. If you can... play both of them and buy the one that feels best for you. Buying new has its advantages Fender will warranty your instrument. Warranties are not transferable on used instruments.

The EJ guitars are fantastic guitars. I think one of the best outside of the Custome Shop.

Thanks! This one is the maple version. I know it's about the feel, it always is. Thank you about the info! I was thinking that about the nitro finnish, but some relicing is fine by me - it's good to know it's usual when I'm seeing the instrument (haven't seen it yet, it's quite a distance from here). Still would like to hear more opinions! How much fret buzz and other problems can be corrected by professional tuning?

A pro setup is a must whenever I buy a new instrument, with the exception of the garbage I'm using out here now;)

I would say get it setup, any issues will be worked out

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....or learn to do the setup yourself. That way, when the weather changes, you'll do a small truss rod tweek rather then wasting your time and money getting your guitar to someone else who will do exactly the same thing. Fender.com has all the specs and there are great videos on how to do setups on strats.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

I can do all the little upkeep and stuff, it's just if I have something brand new, I'd rather have a pro take care of it.

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Agreed. No reason to have anything less than perfect. Same philosophy for always tuning with a tuner.

Thank you for the advice. I was wondering if there was something beyond redeeming or something specially hard to fix or risky, that would help to judge the used instrument?

I have just a little experience on taking my guitar to a professional workshop, but I have experience of not being able to kill fret buzz by the usual stratocaster setups. That is, adjusting truss rod to fender specifications and setting bridge height on individual saddles - sometimes the saddle height just can't be raised high enough or max height causes bridge buzzes or the neck curvature has to be adjusted too concave to compensate. I'm used to setting the truss rod and saddles myself, but don't know what else a pro really does.

Another question about the EJ strat: Versatility. One thing I always have towards signature models is a question about versatility. I need to go from funk to blues and rock. The reason I love strats is that they do all this. Now I love eric johnson "cliffs of the dover" fat sounds, but does the EJ model do "everything" else (supposing it's a little fatter in sound)? I like bright sounds, maybe more Stevie Ray Vaughan -style, also. And I sometimes want that classic bright funk quack.