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Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster - Black

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, and 3 Vintage Noiseless Humbucking Strat Pickups - Black
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Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster - Black
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Slowhand's Signature Strat!

Built to Slowhand's exacting specifications, this Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster solidbody electric guitar is easily among the Cream of the crop. From the blocked vintage synchronized tremolo tailpiece to the modified soft "V"-shape neck carve, every detail of this signature Strat is built to Clapton's exact specs. Prepare for a world of amazing guitar tone, brought to you courtesy of three Vintage Noiseless pickups, a mid-boost circuit, and a Fender TBX master tone circuit. If you've always wondered what playing a truly remarkable Strat feels like, then you owe yourself a chance to play a Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster.

Just like Clapton's own guitar

You'd think that any famous guitarist would want to pick some amazingly maple or ash for his own personal instrument, but this simple alder-bodied guitar is as close to Eric Clapton's own go-to guitar as you can get. And once you play the Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster, you'll know why! Thanks to the active 25dB midrange boost and TBX circuitry, you can go from crystal clear tone to a full-throated growl with the simple spin of a knob. Combine that with three of Fender's legendary Vintage Noiseless pickups and the supple feel of a blocked American vintage synchronized tremolo, and you get the same kind of performance Eric Clapton himself relies on every time he takes the stage with this Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster.

Vintage tones plus midrange boost

The Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster comes standard with a modern 5-way blade switch, making it easy to access all the standard Strat tones. But that's just the beginning. The 25dB midrange boost gives the Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster the kind of beefy tone you'd typically expect from a humbucker. Tap into the onboard Fender TBX master tone control, which can smoothly go from bright and glossy to dark and smoky by rolling off the highs!

Fast playing maple neck with soft "V" shape

A little-known fact about the Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster's custom neck carve is that it's actually based on Clapton's most prized acoustic guitars. By smoothing down the more dramatic Fender "V" shape, the Fender Custom Shop was able to create a neck profile perfectly suited to Eric Clapton's taste. What's more, this 1-piece maple neck and fretboard comes finished with an ultra smooth satin coat, making it one of the fastest and most comfortable Strat necks we've ever encountered.

Fender's Custom Shop delivers unrivaled quality guitars

The Fender Custom Shop has been building dream guitars for the cream of the guitar crop for decades. From faithful reproductions of classic axes of the past to fully tweaked customs such as the Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster, the Fender Custom Shop builds guitars like no other. When you pick up this Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster for the first time, you'll know why few instruments command the level of respect commanded by Fender Custom Shop models.

Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • A legendary Fender electric guitar built to Eric Clapton's exact demands and specifications
  • Made by the expert luthiers in Fender's elite Custom Shop
  • Choice alder body joined with a 1-piece maple neck and fingerboard delivers the ultimate balance of resonant bite and epic sustain
  • Custom soft V-shaped neck carve provides both the solid feel you demand and the fast action you've always wanted
  • Vintage Noiseless pickups with TBX master tone circuit give you a truly astonishing sonic palette to play with
  • Blocked American vintage synchronized tremolo gives you fixed-bridge stability with smoother and more forgiving action
  • Eric Clapton's signature decorates the headstock

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape Stratocaster
  • Body Material Alder
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color Black
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Maple
  • Neck Shape Soft V
  • Neck Joint Bolt-on
  • Radius 9.5"
  • Fingerboard Material Maple
  • Fingerboard Inlay Black Dots
  • Number of Frets 22, Vintage-style
  • Scale Length 25.5"
  • Nut Width 1.650"
  • Nut Material Synthetic Bone
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Blocked Synchronized Tremolo
  • Tuners Fender/Gotoh Vintage-style
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Vintage noiseless single-coil
  • Middle Pickup Vintage noiseless single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup Vintage noiseless single-coil
  • Controls 1 x master volume, 2 x tone
  • Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings Fender Super 250R, .010-.046
  • Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 9235001322

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Revised review

I had posted a negative review on this guitar
Due to a cosmetic problem on the neck.
Since then my friend and sales engineer
Justin Dunbar replaced it . The new guitar is perfect
So far I can only say positive things about it.
The neck feels great , and it plays really nice.
Thank you Justin , you have put up with me for a long time , I can't tell you how much I appreciate
That.
Rated 5/5

My Dream Guitar is finally a reality.

First, I have been a Stratocaster fan since long before I could even hold one decades ago, so I am biased. But this will be accurate anyway. Also thanks for the service from Dustin Keesbury and Cameron in guitar tech support! They really helped and Dustin answered an email or two that were silly questions but he was really friendly as always, since like 2014.
After saying that I am a strat guy you would think I would have had 20 of them but I have had 5 of them new since my first in 1999. Why? Because I didn't really need to buy more as each one was great for me. But the first Custom Shop Clapton Stratocaster I got to see in person in 2005 was instantly the ultimate model for me. Now 15 years later I have one. It was a demo and they worked with me on the price even more.
First, the description of the guitar said it had scratches etc. but it was overstated and it was in excellent condition. I couldn't find anything wrong except one mark. I discovered that the mark was actually what I believe was dried mucus and it scratched off with a gentle thumbnail, gross. But under the paint was fine!
I did have trouble with a intermittent static noise, but it was not a quality issue. It happens to even good parts. A bit of deoxit 5 killed it and it loosed the tight pots which is a good thing anyway. It was set up perfectly. It feels a little "tighter" and as though the construction was more precise than the regular production model. Also the neck is perfect! The most comfortable shape I have had, and although the frets are the more vintage size, they feel more substantial and are finished much better than the regular model. Much better! The guitar does everything you want for Clapton tones of course, but it's perfectly capable of any strat tone, minus the trem as stock. Of course you can change the trem if you want. It's just a great feeling and sounding guitar, and at the reduced demo price is absolutely worth the extra if you are serious that it's the guitar you want. I also have a American professional Stratocaster with the trem set properly for bending and it's the best regular model I have ever had, completely stock.
A note on the pickups. I have seen again and again from people that the vintage noiseless pups supposedly lack chime and dynamics. I heard that about the V-mod pups too. If you play either pick up and you don't hear the great sound of a strat you were expecting, it's absolutely your fault. You have something set wrong. These pickups and the boost are awesome. And, using the boost just on zero or just 10, is a mistake. You can really tweak it more than on or off.
This is the best feeling, playing, and sounding strat I have played and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the Stratocaster. You might have to save up, but you won't regret it!
Music background: 20 years of guitar
Rated 5/5

Superb

It has been somewhat reported that the Custom Shop drifted for a while there but if this guitar is any indication they are back on their game; this instrument is superbly built and finished. The neck is a total delight and was beautifully set up. This is pretty much the exact guitar that Mr Clapton reaches for in every respect and he is the quintessential Strat musician in my book so that is surely good enough for me. If you want a Strat that does Strat perfectly then look no further.
Music background: Enthusiast
Rated 4.5/5

Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster

The Ultimate Hot Rod of Fender Stratocasters Every single thing about it is Outstanding Looks feel Tone Exceptional Performance from a Real Genuine Professional Fender Stratocaster
Music background: Been practicing and studying and playing since I was in Junior High school maybe before I got my first Stratocaster when I was 9 from my parents decided to purchase a Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster
Rated 4/5

Nice Guitar

I have several guitars….Les Paul Customs, other Fenders (Strats & Teles), SG, PRS Custom, & Ibanez Custom. This is by far the easiest to play. I never had a V neck before but it is great. If you like a thick neck then this one is not for you. I have small hands so this neck is great for me. It's also very light unlike the Gibsons which is great. It's nice but pricey. While it's nice, I'm Not sure if I would save up for it if I were on a budget which is the reason for the 4 stars.
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