Eric Johnson vs Classic Player 50’s neck profile

Jtaylor

I recently picked up a classic player 50’s strat but am finding the neck far too skinny so am looking to find a different maple neck strat that has got a 9.5”+ fretboard radius. 

The Eric Johnson signature strat gets good reviews, does anyone know if it has a much bigger neck than the classic player? Or does anyone know of any other models that has a good size neck with fairly big frets and a 9.5”+ radius fretboard? 

Philly_Q

The Ed O'Brien Strat has a 10/56 V profile which I think is a little chunkier than the Eric Johnson.  Either would be bigger than the Classic Player '50s - I had one of those and really disliked the neck, it had to go straight back to the shop.

I've learned that I really like V profiles if they're chunky, but hate them if they're skinny.

Jtaylor

Thanks @Philly_Q , is the Eric Johnson a lot bigger or just a little bit? 

rze99

I've played a 50s Classic Player but not owned one. Don't remember the neck feeling big.  

I bought my Eric Johnson from @JohnCordy   At .86/87 at the first fret it's reasonably substantial but not baseball bat thick. It has a pretty subtle V at the headstock end that becomes a substantial C (I think). Very nice shape in the hand.  

The 12 radius isn't for everyone but I appreciate the bigger frets and flatter frets for widdle stuff. I cut the gloss back on the of the neck too. Lovely Strats they are. I'm not a Strat guy but I have a few and use them occasionally.

Maybe try the Strat Talk forum for more opinions.

Philly_Q

Jtaylor said:

Thanks @Philly_Q , is the Eric Johnson a lot bigger or just a little bit? 

Afraid I'm only going on reviews and research, I haven't tried an EJ Strat.  I am familiar with the 10/56 V profile and it's not huge, but very noticeably bigger than the '50s Classic Player, especially down by the nut end.

Looking at @rze99 's comments above, that's what I thought regarding the EJ, a V to C profile, I believe the V part is meant to be similar to the Custom Shop '57 V profile, which is a little smaller than the 10/56 V.  10/56 is (officially) 0.880" at the first fret and 0.990" at the 12th.

Gassage

The EJ Strat is sensational. As good as any team built CS and then some.

The neck is chunky, esp around 12 fret and there's a def taper to it from a very soft v to thicker C.. It is 12"

The EOB strat neck is huge. Tele U shape huge.

HAL9000

Jimmie Vaughan Strat. Has a V neck, 9.5” radius, and (21) medium-jumbo frets. 

For what it’s worth - the 12” radius on the EJ would put me right off. I recently played a 12” radius Player Plus Strat and it felt almost, but not quite, entirely unlike a Strat. 

Jtaylor

Thanks for all the info and help guys. I am now the very happy owner of a Eric Johnson strat, the neck is a much better size for me compared to the Classic Player 50's. 

HAL9000

HNGD!

(Pics, or it didn’t happen)

Dumodal

Congrats on the new guitar, I dislike 10/56 and 10/57 necks in general but I really like the EJ neck because its not really a V, its definitely chunky but for some reason it fits the hand well.

mudslide73

I have an EJ neck on my MJT and it doesn't feel like a 12" radius to me. The neck feels very similar to my 08 avri 52 Tele and there's not a massive amount of adjustment on my part to swap between the two. EJs are great Strats for sure.