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Post subject: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:11 pm
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Recently I was fortunate enough to find a flawless production model EC signature Blackie. The guitar dater site lists the guitar as a 1989 model, although I know serial numbers are not an accurate way of dating a Strat, and I've heard that the nodel wasn't available in black in 1989. No matter, I love the guitar so much, I think I'm ready, and wanted to know if the CS could make an exact copy of my production model. Right down to the last detail. If so I'm assuming they (the CS) would have to have my Strat in house to examine. Is a regular guy CS build even possible on this level? If so, How do I get started?
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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 10:52 pm
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Hi,


Is that guitar you're talking about?

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:36 am
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Welcome to the Forum
Let's stick to your demand instead of putting useless photos...
The best way is to contact your nearest Fender Custom Shop Dealer who will forward your request to the Fender Custom Shop.
The problem I foresee is that it is a signature model so no modification can be done to the model itself as presently produced by the Custom Shop. The only way would be to drop any link to an EC sig Strat.
BTW, if you are so satisfied with your actual guitar, why asking for a clone ?

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:06 am
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Quote:
Let's stick to your demand instead of putting useless photos


Useless photos? :|

Well, the picture I've had posted is purely for reference purposes!!! :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:44 am
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To answer your question, I want a second EC Strat that's an exact copy of the production model I have. It's a thing with me. I always like having a back-up. Plus, a paranoid fear that something could happen (God forbid) to my beloved Blackie. I have looked for a second production model like the one I have, but have been unsuccessful. These early production ones are getting harder to find. At least ones in minty condition or that haven't been messed with. Either the bodies have some cosmetic issues, or the necks don't feel the same, or they don't sound the same, or a previous owner has changed something. Something is off with any I've found. There have been some on Ebay that looked promising, but without being able to try them out, I was wary. I'm fine with a CS version not having EC's signature, as long as it otherwise identical to mine. Also there is the graduating to a CS guitar factor to consider. It's because of how incredible my production EC is that I want another just like it.

By the way, speaking of "useless photos" Here's a shot of my baby.
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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 6:26 am
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If you haven't tried yet a FCS EC Strat, it might be a good idea to find a dealer who has one in stock (whatever the colour) and see how it feels compared to yours.

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 8:24 am
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N1095A wrote:
I'm fine with a CS version not having EC's signature


Eric's personal guitars lack off his signature on the headstock since 1996.

Of course you can order a Masterbuilt Blackie with Lace pickups.


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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 8:33 am
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alainlafrance wrote:
If you haven't tried yet a FCS EC Strat, it might be a good idea to find a dealer who has one in stock (whatever the colour) and see how it feels compared to yours.

I agree. I've owned a 'blackie' like yours and presently have an '89' pewter. Knowing these guitars as well as many of us do I'm interested in precisely what you would like to have replicated. For one, the body on these guitars do not have the '57 vintage contours and deep waist relief I thought appropriate for this model. The bridge/trem is stock vintage Strat. The pickups are stock Gold FLS's. The electronics have not changed in 25 years except for the pickups which are now VN's. The only variable here, from the rest of the line, is the neck. We can agree that the neck contours will vary slightly from guitar to guitar because they are, in part, hand finished, and no two necks will be the same. For talking point, let's assume that the Shop can break down your guitar and, using CAD/CAM technology, dime your guitar. I paid $1850 for mine, five years ago. At current Masterbuilt prices, you'd be looking at an MSRP of 3-4x that. Is the juice worth the squeeze? You'd do better shopping for a Custom Shop Clapton, which is a bit more carefully built, auditioning a few, and selecting the one which 'feels' best to you, swapping out the VN's for LS's if you don't care for the tone of the VN's.

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 9:17 am
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If I could find an early production model that was in acceptable condition, I'd be happy with that. I'm weird about scratches and dings and such. I like my Strats pristine. I know my use will cause such things over time, but I like to buy them in factory fresh condition. I have tried a few, but as I said there has always been something not right about them. I do prefer the LSs over the VNs, and I like the neck shape of the earlier production models. I also like the weight of mine 7.8lbs. Most of the newer production models I've tried seem much heavier. Mine feels like no other Strat I've had, and I've had many over the years. Still have some that I love dearly. Some were store bought, some partscasters that I assembled myself. I know lightning never strikes twice. Still hopeful for finding another one like it. Beginning to think CS may be the only way. In about 2005 I was quoted a price of $2400 for a CS team built that was essentially a EC in Lake Placid Blue with medium jumbo frets, and gold LSs. No Clapton signature of course. I figured the price would be higher now. Never actually had it made. I was hot for blue guitars back then. BTW, How do you like the Pewter color?


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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 10:46 am
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N1095A wrote:
BTW, How do you like the Pewter color?


I like both colours!

Image

FYI Eric's "smoker's guitars" were identical to yours.

If you opt for a nice pair of black and pewter, you can specify a flame maple neck for the former and a birdseye maple for the latter. But this is merely a question of taste.

ZZDoc wrote:
The electronics have not changed in 25 years


+1 for the EC Standards and Teambuilt EC Customs.

The Masterbuilt EC Customs sport a normal tone control.

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:03 pm
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My guitar has a low serial number and was likely built sometime during the first two years of production. It was in quite immaculate condition, still has the plastic on the backplate. This guitar shares a commonality with the guitar Eric used early on in the history of the Signature series before they added the black finish to the line. A number of us own guitars done in the 7-UP[aka Candy Apple] Green
finish. I'm quite pleased with this one and, not being a collector of sorts, am satisfied to have just one. What I would consider doing is buying an Olympic white model and dropping the Gilmour circuit into it mounted on a gold scratchplate. My version of the Christmas Strat. Again, the motivation would be the neck.

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:06 pm
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Chromeface,
"FYI Eric's "smoker's guitars" were identical to yours."
Why don't you have a rest...
the question was for zzdoc, did you noticed ???
9000 is still far away...

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Post subject: Re: Can the CS make...?
Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:40 pm
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Mine still has the plastic on the back plate as well. Also, the LSs are smooth on top, no indent where the logo is printed. I bought a set of gold LSs in 1991 for my 50s reissue Strat, and they had the indents.


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