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Post subject: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:07 am
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So I was thinking about picking up a Standard Tele in the end of line sales, but the fact is they just don't do it for me in sound and looks. Figured it was time for something different, but Strats are just too damn pretty. I held out for the Black Friday sales and sure enough one store had "Blackie" with a few hundred quid off. I've been after something more vintage-ish as all my Strats are modern and have always been intrigued by the TBX and mid-boost in the Clapton. On the flip side, the soft V neck and vintage frets made me nervous. I had tried one, but it was years ago when it was the Lace sensor model. Did a lot of research, but couldn't get to play another so rolled the dice.

First thing the case. Nothing beats a tweed hard case for me. Really nervous when I first picked it up as my hand wrapped the neck up a LOT. It's a 2015 and has never been out of the case since then as the box wand everything was still sealed. Setup was great though and only needed a few tweaks.
As soon as I started playing it all my worries about the neck went. I'm a thumb hooked over player and the V neck is a dream for playing like that. I've got big hands and normally like a baseball bat neck, but love the soft V. That and the vintage frets make it easy to play, but there's also less room for error.
Love the vintage noiseless pickups, weirdly they sound the most "Stratty" of all of mine, including the hand wound Abbys in my CS. I've found everything brings out your own personality more than any of my other Strats. Sustain is crazy as well, never known it on a Strat. Is that the blocked tailpiece?
Love the variety of sounds you can get with the TBX and mid boost, they do exactly what it says on the tin. Makes the bridge pickup VERY useable and more like a humbucker. You do have to use the TBX with it as well or it can get a bit muddy. It does the best "woman" tone other than humbuckers that I've heard.

I know these threads are pointless without pics, so........

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Build quality is on par with my US Deluxe and I wouldn't say it's a better or worse guitar, just different. The only thing I'd change is putting the signature on the back of the headstock. I absolutely love it though, incredible range of tones and ridiculously playable. I love all my Strats and this one definitely has a permanent place in the collection. Thanks for listening.

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2012 Cherry Sunburst Custom Shop Deluxe Strat
2015 Black Eric Clapton Signature Strat
2015 Olympic Pearl US HSS Deluxe Strat
2013 Aged Cherry Sunburst Plus Top HSS Strat with FR


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 12:46 pm
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A beautiful guitar, and a wonderful review, makes me want to get in my car and find one to try out
enjoy it
mud


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:58 pm
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Congrats. Sweet guitar and thanks for pics and posting. :D


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 2:18 am
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I have a real want for an EC and you aren't helping :wink:

Great review and nice pictures. I don't have to tell you to enjoy your new purchase as there is no doubt you will.

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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:27 am
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Congrats on your NGD.
I appreciate your comments about the VN pups.
I agree and I have tried the newer offerings and think the VNs are still the best silent singles ever offered in a stock Fender pup.
I know you will enjoy.

For the first time in a long time you have awakened a little bit of GAS in me.
Not the black because I've never much been into the solid colours, preferring transparent or semi-transparent finishes for myself.
It's the tone controls and your description that have me curious.
For stirring GAS in me when I thought I had achieved everything I'd ever wanted with my 3 Strats and that nothing new would ever be of any importance, I have one thing to say.
You are not a nice person. Just saying.

:wink: :wink:

(teasing, of course)

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 9:32 am
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Not particularly into black guitars, but yes, that is very nice! Good to read your review.

Quote:
Love the variety of sounds you can get with the TBX

I have TBX on my Plus and I'm pushed to hear ANY difference between 5 & 10! Must be my (rather ancient) ears, unless the mid-boost is making the difference?

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:37 pm
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Thanks guys, appreciate it. To be honest, I'm not generally a fan of solid colour guitars (apart from the Olympic Pearl of my US Deluxe), but there's something classic about it on a Strat. Plus, I have too many bursts on all my other guitars. ;)

There's definitely a noticeable difference with the TBX between 5 and 10, even with the boost on 0. On 10 it gets very glassy, even on the neck pickup. It can be useful on it's own though with overdriven tones.
The one Strat I always wanted and never got (as I was a poor student at the time) was a Cherryburst US Sambora. When I could afford it, the used prices were just too high for the condition. I ended up picking up one of the Mexican HSS Floyd Plustops a few years a ago and meant to upgrade the pickups and fit the boost, TBX, push/push, etc but never got round to it. Probably resurrect that project now after being so impressed with it on the Clapton. Plus it'll be cheaper than buying another new guitar! ;)

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2012 Cherry Sunburst Custom Shop Deluxe Strat
2015 Black Eric Clapton Signature Strat
2015 Olympic Pearl US HSS Deluxe Strat
2013 Aged Cherry Sunburst Plus Top HSS Strat with FR


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 4:25 pm
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Congrats! These are great guitars, the soft V necks are just so smooth, and even though mine has the lace sensors the tone of the noiseless pickups are good too! The black color is classy and I for one like it.

Enjoy your new guitar!

:mrgreen:

T2

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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 5:33 pm
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Very elegant.

And V-shaped necks are often easier for those of us that thumb fret a lot - I wish they were an option on more models than EC (soft V) and SRV (lopsided V).


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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:21 am
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Peter S wrote:
Not particularly into black guitars, but yes, that is very nice! Good to read your review.

Quote:
Love the variety of sounds you can get with the TBX

I have TBX on my Plus and I'm pushed to hear ANY difference between 5 & 10! Must be my (rather ancient) ears, unless the mid-boost is making the difference?

Cheers - Peter.


I put a TBX in Curly Whirly. I was so impressed that, when I swapped the pickups and scratch plate I didn't bother with the TBX. I might revisit it though, I did quite like the centre detent position.

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Post subject: Re: NGD Black Clapton Signature Strat
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:55 am
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Quote:
I was so impressed that, when I swapped the pickups and scratch plate I didn't bother with the TBX.

Ha ha, very droll, John! Appreciate OP says there's a difference; what did you think (between 5 & 10)? I ran my Plus for many years with a 250k pot instead of the TBX, as I couldn't hear a difference and thought a straightforward pot was simpler. Recently I put a new TBX kit in, though, just for the sake of originality really, and I still can't hear a difference!

Every time I change strings I forget to have the scratchplate off and check the wiring - not that I can see how you'd get it wrong...

Cheers - Peter.


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