Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster

Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster

2-Colour Sunburst / Maple / 2-Piece Offset Seam Sassafras
$5,199
Skip to product information

Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster

Model #: 0117442803
  • Two-piece, offset-seam sassafrass body
  • "Soft V"-shaped maple neck; 12"-radius fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets
  • DiMarzio HS2 bridge pickup; Fender '57/62 single-coil Strat middle and neck pickups
View product details
Colour2-Colour Sunburst
Fingerboard Material
Body Material
$5,199
Low stock — from supplier

Stock & fulfilment

In stock — ready to ship
Physically in our showroom — ready to buy, ship, or collect.
Low stock — ready to ship
In our showroom but in high demand — limited quantity remaining.
In stock — from supplier
Held by our supplier rather than in-store — longer delivery times may apply.
Available to order
Not currently in stock, but we can order it in from our supplier.
Sold out
Not available at the moment.
2 Year Warranty

Price Match Guarantee

Found the same gear cheaper elsewhere? Let us know. If it's a currently advertised price from an authorised Australian retailer (shipping and handling included), we'll do our best to match it on any in-stock item.*

Requesting a price match for
Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster (2-Colour Sunburst / Maple / 2-Piece Offset Seam Sassafras)
SKU 0117442803 Our price $5,199

Terms and Conditions: A few things we can't match: prices at or below cost (loss-leading deals), listing errors or misprints, member-only pricing, cashback offers and promotional giveaways, bundle deals where you're only buying part of the bundle, and non-authorised Australian retailers or grey imports.

from $8.73/week 6 months min. rental

Rent to own

Take the gear home today for a low weekly rate — then keep it, return it, or buy it whenever you're ready.

  1. Pick a 6, 12 or 36-month minimum term and take it home today.
  2. Pay a low weekly rate and play it for as long as you like.
  3. After the minimum, return it, keep renting, or apply to buy — any time, even after a day.
  • Return or swap individual items, not the whole order.
  • A single missed payment won't hurt your credit.
  • Optional protection plan for accidental damage, fire and theft.
  • The buy-out price shrinks the longer you rent.

Rentals by Studio 19. Approval and conditions apply.

Pay in 4 on purchases under $2,000

Pay in 4 interest-free payments

Available for purchases under $2,000. No sign-up fees or late fees.

  1. Today
  2. 2 weeks
  3. 4 weeks
  4. 6 weeks
  1. Choose PayPal at checkout to pay later with Pay in 4.
  2. Complete your purchase with an initial 25% payment.
  3. Remaining payments are taken automatically.

PayPal Pay in 4 is a continuing credit contract provided by PayPal Credit Pty Limited (ABN 66 600 629 258; Australian Credit Licence number 568848) to Australian residents and is subject to eligibility criteria, credit application and suitability assessment. PayPal Pay in 4 is available on eligible transactions under $2,000 AUD and application and use may impact a customer's credit score. Please read and consider the PayPal Credit Guide before entering into the PayPal Pay in 4 Facility Agreement. Please see the PayPal Pay in 4 Facility Agreement for full details and for more information about how PayPal handles your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Statement. PayPal may disclose your personal information to a credit reporting body. To find out more about our credit reporting practices, please see our Statement of Notifiable Matters. To view the Target Market Determination for this product, see here.

Up to 3 months interest free Fees apply
Summary

The Fender Stories Collection pays tribute to legendary musicians, their beloved modified Fender electric guitars and the extraordinary music they created together.

Eric Johnson already had his 1954 "Virginia" Stratocaster when he recorded Tones* and the Platinum Ah Via Musicom**, groundbreaking albums that made him a hero to music fans and guitarists alike. To this day, Eric continues to release brilliant music, tour constantly and is, to the electric guitar community, a savant and widely followed tastemaker. In 2020, for the first time, Eric's 1954 Virginia Stratocaster will be replicated by both Fender Custom Shop and the Fender Corona Production line in limited numbers. With its rare rift/quartersawn sassafras body, lacquer finish, custom wiring and more, the Eric Johnson 1954 Virginia Stratocaster will thrill players and collectors alike with its distinctive look and exceptional tone.

*(1987 Grammy nominated for best Rock Instrumental Performance)

**(1991 Grammy for best Rock Instrumental Performance)

  • Two-piece, offset-seam sassafrass body
  • "Soft V"-shaped maple neck; 12"-radius fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets
  • DiMarzio HS2 bridge pickup; Fender '57/62 single-coil Strat middle and neck pickups
  • Custom wiring and artist-specific setup
  • Includes G&G tweed hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity
Specs

Body

Body
2-Piece Offset Seam Sassafras
Body Finish
Gloss Lacquer
Body Shape
Stratocaster

Neck

Neck Material
1-Piece Maple
Neck Shape
Soft "V"
Neck Finish
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Scale Length
25.5" (648 mm)
Number of Frets
21
Fret Size
Jumbo
Fingerboard
Maple
Fingerboard Radius
12" (305 mm)
Position Inlays
Black Dot
Nut Material
Plastic
Nut Width
1.625" (41.3 mm)
Neck Plate
4-Bolt Custom

Pickups

Neck Pickup
Original '57/'62 Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup
Original '57/'62 Single-Coil Strat
Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Only Top-Coil Active)
Configuration
SSS
Switching
5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup

Electronics

Controls
Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Control Knobs
Aged White Plastic

Hardware

Bridge
6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish
Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard
1-Ply Eggshell
Tuning Machines
Vintage-Style
Strings
Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406

General

Color
2-Color Sunburst
Country of Origin
USA
Orientation
Right-Hand
Case/Gig Bag
Deluxe Tweed Hardshell
Highlights
TWO-PIECE SASSAFRAS BODY

TWO-PIECE SASSAFRAS BODY

A rare tone wood, Sassafras has a distinctive, fine-grained appearance and produces silky tone with focused midrange.

CUSTOM PICKUP CONFIGURATION

CUSTOM PICKUP CONFIGURATION

Combining a DiMarzio HS-2 stacked humbucking pickup with a pair of Fender 57/62 pickups, this guitar has Johnson’s unique tone while offering plenty of variety.

CUSTOM WIRING

CUSTOM WIRING

The middle and neck pickups are out of phase with the bridge pickup, giving you Johnson’s unique “koto” tone in position two.

CUSTOM MAPLE NECK

CUSTOM MAPLE NECK

The comfortable “Soft V”-shaped neck provides clear tone, while the 12”-radius makes it easier to solo.

LACQUER FINISH

LACQUER FINISH

A period-correct touch, the lacquer finish lets wood breathe while wearing in a distinctive way.

VINTAGE-STYLE TUNING MACHINES

VINTAGE-STYLE TUNING MACHINES

Vintage-style tuning machines offer solid, stable tuning with era-correct style.

Frequently Asked Questions
Are you an authorised Fender dealer?
Yes — Music Centre Gosford is an authorised Fender dealer. Every Fender guitar, bass, amplifier and accessory we sell is 100% genuine, sourced directly through Fender's official Australian distribution. You receive the full manufacturer warranty and access to Fender's Australian service network.
What warranty do Fender guitars come with?
Fender electric guitars and basses purchased from Music Centre Gosford come with Fender's Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects, covering the original purchaser for the life of the instrument. Amplifiers and accessories carry a separate limited warranty (typically 1–5 years depending on the product). Bring your instrument in-store or contact us and we'll handle any warranty claim directly with Fender.
Do your Fender guitars come set up and ready to play?
Yes. Every Fender guitar sold at Music Centre Gosford receives a professional setup by our in-house guitar technician before it leaves the store. We check and adjust the neck relief, action, intonation, and nut slots so the guitar plays its best straight out of the box — something you won't get buying online from a warehouse.
Can I try Fender guitars in store before buying?
Absolutely. Our West Gosford showroom stocks a wide range of Fender guitars and basses across the American, Player, and Squier series that you're welcome to plug in and play. We're open Monday to Friday 9am–5:30pm and Saturday 9am–4pm at 4/39 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250.
Do you ship Fender guitars Australia-wide?
Yes, we ship to anywhere in Australia. Guitars and basses are carefully packaged and fully insured in transit. Standard delivery typically takes 2–7 business days depending on your location. Express options are available at checkout. Local Central Coast customers can also click-and-collect in store.
Do you offer interest-free finance on Fender guitars?
Yes. We offer Zip Pay and PayPal Pay in 4, both allowing you to split your purchase into four fortnightly payments with no interest. We also offer Studio 19 rent-to-own from as little as $8.73 per week, with a minimum 6-month term — great for students or anyone who wants to try before fully committing.
What is the difference between American and Player Series Fender guitars?
The American Series (American Professional II, American Ultra) are made in Fender's Corona, California factory using premium tonewoods, hand-rolled fingerboard edges, and higher-spec hardware and pickups. They're the flagship instruments and carry a higher price point. The Player Series guitars are made in Fender's Ensenada, Mexico facility and offer excellent quality for the money — the same classic Fender body shapes and specs, with slightly more affordable components. They're a fantastic choice for gigging musicians and intermediate players.
What's the difference between a Fender Stratocaster and a Telecaster?
Both are iconic Fender designs but they sound and feel quite different. The Stratocaster has a contoured double-cutaway body, three single-coil pickups, a five-way selector, and a synchronized tremolo bridge. It produces a bright, glassy tone with plenty of articulation — think Hendrix, SRV, and Clapton. The Telecaster has a flat single-cutaway slab body, two pickups (bridge and neck), and a fixed bridge. It's known for a twangy, punchy tone that cuts through a mix — favoured in country, blues rock, and indie. Come in and play both to find which suits you.
Which Fender guitar is best for a beginner?
For most beginners we recommend starting with a Squier by Fender — they share the same body shapes and feel as full Fender instruments at a much lower entry price. The Squier Classic Vibe and Affinity series are particularly popular. If your budget stretches further, the Fender Player Series Stratocaster or Telecaster is an excellent first 'grown-up' guitar that you won't outgrow as your skills develop. Our staff are happy to help you find the right fit in store or over the phone on (02) 4325 4900.
What is your return policy on Fender guitars?
We offer a 30-day return policy on all Fender products purchased from Music Centre Gosford. If you're not completely satisfied, return the item in its original condition and packaging and we'll provide a full refund or exchange. Instruments that have been modified or show signs of use beyond normal inspection may be subject to a restocking fee. Contact us on (02) 4325 4900 to arrange a return.

More from Fender

Don't take our word for it

Player reviews

★★★★★

★★★★★

"Genuinely the nicest experience shopping here. The staff were so friendly and spent a good deal of time (unhurried time!) helping me and explaining everything to me so I could choose the right items for my setup. If there were more than 5 stars to give they would get them all."

Ginny Gallegos

★★★★★

"The highly professional and helpful staff here are just outstanding. As a music teacher myself, I know I can always find great advice and high quality products. This is my one-stop-shop for all things music on the Central Coast."

Vivienne McLaren

★★★★★

"Came through looking for a guitar. Chris was run off his feet serving multiple customers but still kept checking in with me and pulling guitars down left right and centre for me to get a feel for. His expertise made the whole process comfortable and I was able to return later that same day and buy the guitar Chris helped me select. Great service and will definitely be back."

Luke Minato

★★★★★

"We rushed in with a minor guitar emergency (major according to the 10 year old) and were sorted in about 5 mins. Lovely staff, excellent customer service. Will be back."

Lisa Hendy

★★★★★

"Excellent service! I ordered this morning and the product is already on its way to me via courier. Their friendly staff are always willing to go the extra mile in sourcing music for their customers. Strongly recommend this music store."

Barbara Westerberg