It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:07 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 97 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:09 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:01 am
Posts: 23
Hi guys, I am new to the forums so sorry in advance if i am asking a question that has been answered somewhere else.
I have just become the proud owner of a May 2008 Eric Clapton Custom Shop in Midnight Blue. I love this guitar so much my fingers are burned playing it! I have been playing guitar for 18 years on a semi pro basis and I have have never played a Strat like this. It is my perfect guitar. Here's my question... I read that Custom Shop Strats no longer have the TBX system on them as Eric has this removed from his guitars. But I could swear mine does. Am I insane? The tone control (1) has a click in the middle like the db mid booster (2) and seems very bright when set at 10 and about normal at half way. I am playing through a 65 re- issue Twin with no effects other that a Zendrive. Could mine have slipped the net or been a special order for someone who wanted it installed?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:14 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:02 pm
Posts: 42
You're guitar is correct and it does have the TBX fitted. I have one also (this years CS model).

There was a long thread about this a while ago. Having discussed this with My dealer (very knowledgeable) - only the Master Built CS Clapton Strats don't have the TBX control (Like Eric's own Strats). the CS and The Factory Claptons do have the TBX. - Fenders CS Website is in-correct. someone from the last thread did send an email to point this out - I guess they took no notice.

Hope that helps


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:36 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:01 am
Posts: 23
SparkyG wrote:
You're guitar is correct and it does have the TBX fitted. I have one also (this years CS model).

There was a long thread about this a while ago. Having discussed this with My dealer (very knowledgeable) - only the Master Built CS Clapton Strats don't have the TBX control (Like Eric's own Strats). the CS and The Factory Claptons do have the TBX. - Fenders CS Website is in-correct. someone from the last thread did send an email to point this out - I guess they took no notice.

Hope that helps



Thanks for that, I thought I was going el loco!
I'm kinda chuffed in a way that it does have it, as I was a little disapointed when I found out (incorectly) that the CS model (vastly superior IMO to the Standard EC) now came with a standard tone. I think its crazy that in this day and age Fender's website could be so wrong.
Thanks for your help.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:27 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
[quote="chooseyourbluz"]Hi guys, I am new to the forums so sorry in advance if i am asking a question that has been answered somewhere else.

Good morning: I am he who was described as 'somewhere else" :lol:

Go up top to 'search'>'query' NO TBX>'forum' Let's Talk Custom Shop'>category'Fender Custom Shop'>display'posts'>'all posts' topic, title, message>'sort by'descending>'return first'50>click'search' on bottom.

Read the entire group, particularly my post of 28 April: click on subject.

Also go to Alain's website via his posted URL.

Regarding his 'as built for' Clapton Stratocaster built by Todd Krause, Erics builder,( CA 11/04/03) it varies from the CS Signature Series and Production Artist Series as follows:

-No artist's signature:( Eric's request supported in interview published in Christies' Auction Catalog regarding development of this guitar.}
-no TBX
-a slimmer, narrower, V-neck profile

This guitar was acquired by Alain via another collector who opted out of participating in an order placed for three such guitars. My recent inquiry as to the same met with refusal on the grounds that contractual obligations prevented them from doing so. I speculate that the issue surrounds the placement of the signature on a neck fitted to any one of the finishes they provide in this series.

I personally own a CS guitar based on the Clapton platform which some day I may post pics of. Somewhere in my posts you may find my description of same. The neck, however, is not as slender as that which I traded up for it, a '93 (Lace Sensor equipped) guitar. I attribute that to the rosewood fingerboard and 6150 fretwire. I just acquired an '89, in excellent condition, and am quite pleased with it. Had I known now what I do about the neck profile on Alain's guitar, I might have been more specific about my specs. However, my guitar was team built rather than master built, and any additional workmanship would likely have raised the cost another $1000 or more.

I hope this, and the bulk of the posts have of some elightenment to you. If you want the TBX out, any competent tech can put a standard tone control in and suggest any changes in capacitance to enhance your search for tone.

Bear in mind that Eric's guitars are bit more modified, as is the signal chain he uses starting out cordless, his amps are modified, and we have never had privy to the pot settings on these even though his gear has been made public on his websites.

You might also do well to follow the postings on the Stratocaster Forum in that inquiries such as yours seem to appear there more often than here, and you will usually find that this topic is referred to my attention.

Personally, I share your feelings that this is likely the best and most versatile Stratocaster they build, but my preference runs more to the Lace Sensors than the Noiselss pickups, and my CS guitar is fitted with SCN's.

Enjoy your new axe, and welcome aboard.

Have a great day. :wink:

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:10 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
[quote="chooseyourbluz"]Hi guys, I am new to the forums so sorry in advance if i am asking a question that has been answered somewhere else.
I have just become the proud owner of a May 2008 Eric Clapton Custom Shop in Midnight Blue.

Here's something you can do for me. Obtain a conventional cloth tapemeasure. Must be cloth to be soft, fit under the strings and wrap around the neck. Run the lead end of the tape measure under the strings around the back until the #1 is even with one of the borders of the skunk stripe. That's a reference point. It doesn't matter which one. Now, hold the tape tight against the shoulder of the neck, drop the lead end, and wrap the long end around the back of the neck tightly, and read off the measurement at the same reference point. Your actual measurement is 1 less than your reading.

Do this at the 2nd and 12th frets. Be sure the tape is flat against the face of the fingerboard with the lower edge against the upper side of the fret for that position. Another way of putting that would be just behind the fret, against it, but not on top.

My '89 measures 4 and 2/8ths at the 2nd; 4 and 7/8ths at the 12th. My Custom Shop guitar is 2/8ths deeper at the 12th and I am crediting that to the rosewood board, the need to accomodate taller frets. I also assume the radius to be 9.5, but who knows if that hasn't changes along with the pickkups.

I am curious as to what your guitar neck, of recent manufacture, measures around at those two points.

Thanks.

Doc :wink:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:59 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:01 am
Posts: 23
zzdoc wrote:
chooseyourbluz wrote:
Hi guys, I am new to the forums so sorry in advance if i am asking a question that has been answered somewhere else.

Good morning: I am he who was described as 'somewhere else" :lol:

Go up top to 'search'>'query' NO TBX>'forum' Let's Talk Custom Shop'>category'Fender Custom Shop'>display'posts'>'all posts' topic, title, message>'sort by'descending>'return first'50>click'search' on bottom.

Read the entire group, particularly my post of 28 April: click on subject.

Also go to Alain's website via his posted URL.

Regarding his 'as built for' Clapton Stratocaster built by Todd Krause, Erics builder,( CA 11/04/03) it varies from the CS Signature Series and Production Artist Series as follows:

-No artist's signature:( Eric's request supported in interview published in Christies' Auction Catalog regarding development of this guitar.}
-no TBX
-a slimmer, narrower, V-neck profile

This guitar was acquired by Alain via another collector who opted out of participating in an order placed for three such guitars. My recent inquiry as to the same met with refusal on the grounds that contractual obligations prevented them from doing so. I speculate that the issue surrounds the placement of the signature on a neck fitted to any one of the finishes they provide in this series.

I personally own a CS guitar based on the Clapton platform which some day I may post pics of. Somewhere in my posts you may find my description of same. The neck, however, is not as slender as that which I traded up for it, a '93 (Lace Sensor equipped) guitar. I attribute that to the rosewood fingerboard and 6150 fretwire. I just acquired an '89, in excellent condition, and am quite pleased with it. Had I known now what I do about the neck profile on Alain's guitar, I might have been more specific about my specs. However, my guitar was team built rather than master built, and any additional workmanship would likely have raised the cost another $1000 or more.

I hope this, and the bulk of the posts have of some elightenment to you. If you want the TBX out, any competent tech can put a standard tone control in and suggest any changes in capacitance to enhance your search for tone.

Bear in mind that Eric's guitars are bit more modified, as is the signal chain he uses starting out cordless, his amps are modified, and we have never had privy to the pot settings on these even though his gear has been made public on his websites.

You might also do well to follow the postings on the Stratocaster Forum in that inquiries such as yours seem to appear there more often than here, and you will usually find that this topic is referred to my attention.

Personally, I share your feelings that this is likely the best and most versatile Stratocaster they build, but my preference runs more to the Lace Sensors than the Noiselss pickups, and my CS guitar is fitted with SCN's.

Enjoy your new axe, and welcome aboard.

Have a great day. :wink:

Doc



thank you very much for all your info Doc, it's nice to be made so welcome.

thanks.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:28 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
thank you very much for all your info Doc, it's nice to be made so welcome. thanks.[/quote]

Apology not necessary, Captain Neela. We are all here to the same purpose.

Kindly note that I sent you a followup request in the hope of comparing my '89 neck with that on your new guitar. You should find it on the Custom Shop Forum.

If you have the time, I would appreciate your giving it a shot. I have no doubt that the comparison will be of interest to both of us and others

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:30 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2008 4:01 am
Posts: 23
zzdoc wrote:
thank you very much for all your info Doc, it's nice to be made so welcome. thanks.


Apology not necessary, Captain Neela. We are all here to the same purpose.

Kindly note that I sent you a followup request in the hope of comparing my '89 neck with that on your new guitar. You should find it on the Custom Shop Forum.

If you have the time, I would appreciate your giving it a shot. I have no doubt that the comparison will be of interest to both of us and others

Doc[/quote]


Hi there, I was able to get hold of a cloth measuring tape today and I did what you said regarding the neck measuring.
Being European we work of the metric system so the measurements are in Centimeters
1st fret 10.7 cm (4.2 ")
2nd fret 11 cm (4.3 ")
12th fret 12.7 cm (5 ")

Hope this helps. I have to say this is the best feeling neck I have ever played. I have owned many differnet guitars over the years including USA standard Strats, american G&Ls and a 50's neck Les Paul, but this CS is outstanding, when i hit an open g string the whole body as well as the neck vibrates!
The only problem is by playing a guitar of this standard it makes my other guitars seem not even worth picking up!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
Hi there, I was able to get hold of a cloth measuring tape today and I did what you said regarding the neck measuring.
Being European we work of the metric system so the measurements are in Centimeters
1st fret 10.7 cm (4.2 ")
2nd fret 11 cm (4.3 ") * 10.8 cm 4 1/8"
12th fret 12.7 cm (5 ") *12.5 " 4 7/8"

I've put my metric and english measurements in alongside yours. Just a tad more on the slender side this '89.

What you experience with that body is likely the result of the 'stopped' trem block.

I share your enthusiasm for this guitar. I think its the most versatile one in the stable, which is why I seized on the opportunity when it was available. I always regretted trading up because I didn't get exactly the neck I wanted and it was too much of an issue to send it back for a third try.

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Please help with my new 2008 Custom Shop Calpton
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:28 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
" I have to say this is the best feeling neck I have ever played."


If you can find one of the new '57 Hotrods, check out the neck on THAT guitar. I have been maintaining, in discussions elsewhere, that they took the neck profile off Eric's old Blackie ( the Tribute guitar) and used it for this one.

If you like your Clapton, I'm sure you'll like the feel of this one as well. :wink:

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:17 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:27 am
Posts: 4473
Location: Paris France
Hi Doc,

Back home in Paris (more precisely in a suburb hopefully), I'll also take measurements of the necks of the Blackie(Tribute) and of the MB Clapton.
Might be interesting...
Cheers
Alain


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:44 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
alainlafrance wrote:
Hi Doc,Back home in Paris (more precisely in a suburb hopefully), I'll also take measurements of the necks of the Blackie(Tribute) and of the MB Clapton. Might be interesting...Cheers Alain


Thanks for getting in on this. The findings should be interesting given our prior discussion on your two instruments.

Doc :wink:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:20 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:52 pm
Posts: 122
Sorry guys, let me just ask a couple of questions if you don't mind.

I recently ordered an EC Strat Master Built by Todd Krause with the AAA figured maple neck.

1. Does this mean the tbx will not come in that guitar per the new clapton specs and therefore Mr. Krause has to abide to such specs if the guitar is to be called an EC model?;
2. Where did you learn that the specs change and why would the CS and AS keep building the guitar to older specs?
3. Will the neck be slimer than the other EC and CS EC models?
4. They told me the guitar would be ready in 6 to 8 months, does this seem accurate to you?

Thanks a lot in advance to anyone who sheds some light on this subject.

M.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:26 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
stipe_mills@hotmail.com wrote:
Sorry guys, let me just ask a couple of questions if you don't mind.I recently ordered an EC Strat Master Built by Todd Krause with the AAA figured maple neck.
1. Does this mean the tbx will not come in that guitar per the new clapton specs and therefore Mr. Krause has to abide to such specs if the guitar is to be called an EC model?;
2. Where did you learn that the specs change and why would the CS and AS keep building the guitar to older specs?
3. Will the neck be slimer than the other EC and CS EC models?
4. They told me the guitar would be ready in 6 to 8 months, does this seem accurate to you?

Thanks a lot in advance to anyone who sheds some light on this subject.

M.


Lost in the myriad threads on this subject over the past nearly one year are all of the issues regarding this TBX. You can search the forum archives if you like on the matter. A direct email to consumer relations by yours truly put the question, but was never answered.

Alain owns a rare guitar, specifically designated 'as built for' (the artist) one of a trio built by Todd on special order, which they will not repeat again. He and I compared specs in that I have recently acquired an '89 Clapton, previously owned a '97, and had a CS Teambuilt done about 4 years ago on the Clapton platform, but with a rosewood board which I believe added to the 'thickness' of the neck. The specs of my '89's neck are the same at the 12th fret as Alain's but his has a bit more taper around the first. He owns more than one Clapton of that vintage and states that this particular guitar has a slightly more slender and tapered neck that the others in his collection.

Keep in mind that this guitar is done at three levels: factory-built; Custom Shop built (which I assume is team-built) and Masterbuilt

SparkyG confirms that the Masterbuilt guitarhave a standard tone control. The one thing we know for via Eric is that he has removed from his stage instruments his signature on the headstock, though you may find it on the rear, rather than the front, along with Todd's.
Other than that, in a recent article in a British guitar mag, Lee Dickson states unequivocally that Eric's guitar is 'stock' ( we should assume, CS stock). He seems to be using a guitar with a pewter finish these days.

The time frame for your delivery sounds wonderful. Alain and I can attest to the fact that some of these take forever. If Todd will have this to you in short order, considering all the projects he seems to be involved in, is great news. Mine took nearly a year and, at that, the neck was wrong and had to be returned, and I waited an additional 6 mos. Even after that, they didn't do it exactly as I wanted but I was too long in the waiting.

I am given to understand that Masterbuilt customers have the privilege of dialog with their luthiers, this from something mentioned in another post. If you can contact Todd, perhaps you can resolve your questions through him personally, and then pass this information along to us.

As a personal aside, I've given up chasing Eric's guitars, and he himself apparently grows tired of the same look these days. My preference is for that neck, which differs slightly from Fender's conventional 'soft-v'. I also prefer the 'meatier' sound of the Lace's which apparently were given up by Eric for a better high end response.

Doc :wink:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:19 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:52 pm
Posts: 122
HEY DOC!!!!! Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer my question in such great detail. My dealer has assured me that he will put me in contact with Todd and we'll get to the bottom of this.
Thanks again,
M.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 97 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: