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The Fender Stratocaster's iconic status has been shaped as much by the notable musicians who faithfully record and tour with it as it has by the versatility and durability of the instrument itself. Capitalizing on this, the Signature Series has grown over the years to attach the names and specs of highly visible players to various Stratocaster models.
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster is the original and longest running model in the Signature Series, followed by the Yngwie Malmsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray models.
Built to EC’s specifications, his signature model is based on a ’57 Reissue with a solid alder body with a 6 screw vintage tremolo bridge, single ply pickguard, 5 way blade switch.
This one is a bit special as is from 1988, the first year of this model’s production. And it’s finished in one the model’s original colours – Fender’s Pewter custom colour.
The timbers for the Artist range are the very best. On the Eric Clapton model we find a top grade alder body that's been curved and contoured in all the right ways, and polyurethane finished to unfaltering standards. The neck is all maple and this time the finish is satin, for drag-free playability.
While Eric chooses vintage style medium fretwire, as a serious string bender he likes his fingerboards a little flatter than the 7.25-inch radius of early Fenders. This guitar's 9.5-inch radius is more Gibson-like and allows for the sort of fluid finger work that we expect from EC. The neck is shaped into a soft 'V' for that final element of luxury.
It features a great sounding set of Fender’s Lace Sensor pickups. The TBX and active 25db boost offer a great deal of versatility with sounds to suit a wide range of styles.
Features –
Alder body
Solid maple neck
Special soft “V”-shaped neck
9.5” fingerboard radius
Fender Vintage Lace Sensor pickups
Active mid-boost (25db) and TBX circuits
The soft V shaped full maple neck has black dot inlays and 22 original vintage style frets, single string tee and vintage Fender Kluson style machine heads.
Blocked original vintage synchronized tremolo, but the trem arm is missing from this one.
We’ve sold quite a few of these EC Strats over the past five years, and they all have their own subtleties and generally show a little wear and tear. But this EC Signature is quite unique being from the model’s first production year, and it’s in super condition. There’s hardly a mark on it. And it’s been played for over 30 years and well set up recently.
There is some light wear on the pick guard & some faint marks on the back. Top is extremely clean – no dents or dings. The neck is pristine – no issues & almost no fret wear. Action is set slinky low with easy adjustment possible.
This is a super versatile guitar with plenty of tonal and volume options. It can sound like a classic vintage Strat, albeit with no pickup buzz or grounding issues. Or wind up the active mid-boot and TBX controls and it will move from smooth overdrive to snarling beast at your discretion.
Comes in original Fender tweed case in good condition.
Video demo of same model -
