Anybody out there play an EJ or 57 Hot Rod?

[hal]

I'm looking for a maple neck Strat. I played both of these today and I'm looking for pros and cons. Thanks.

[Wayne Alexander]

I can't comment on the 57, but my son has one of the first run of the EJ Strats. It's got a thin nitro finish, is very light, very resonant and loud and bright acoustically, and has a wonderful fattish neck. As far as I know the EJ's still have a nitro finish, which I view as a plus, though others favor the no-maintenance durability of the poly finish on most Fenders. The stock pickups are, to my ears, as nice as any stock Fender Strat pickups on any guitar I've handled, including the custom shop '60 relic I have. I tend to buy guitars by neck profile/feel and overall weight (lower the better for me) so my tastes may not be yours. If you've handled both, why are you asking our opinion?

[Nick Fanis]

I have an EJ and it is hands down the best strat I've ever owned (and I've owned too many..)

Killer pickups,lightweight alder body and a fantastic necks,the various "quirks" she has all work together and make a strat that's hard to put down...

[hal]

I take the weight and neck into consideration as well. Wayne--I only had about 30 minutes to play these guitars. I may have missed something.