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Post subject: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:23 am
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Hi, I'm new here...

I'm thinking about getting an Eric Clapton strat of some sort. Eric Clapton was basically the reason I took up guitar in 1988 as a fifteen year old. I got a black Jim Deacon strat copy, but really wanted the brand new Eric Clapton signature guitar. I'd probably be looking at getting a Signature Blackie...

This one is on ebay UK, but there's a few things that bother me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-FENDE ... 2447330994

One thing is the price, but hey... it's BIN or best offer...
Another is the pickguard... shouldn't these come with a single ply 8 screw guard?
The other is the serial number SE929170... I'm pretty certain these were only available in Pewter, 7Up Green and Torino Red in 1989.

Is it a fake? Was there a run of blackies earlier than I thought?


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:40 am
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dlloyd1234 wrote:
Was there a run of blackies earlier than I thought?

No, but the SE9 serial number was in use later than you knew. :wink: (AFAIK, occasionally until 1992.)

Wait till some of the forums's EC experts chimes in. That looks like a nice guitar, but I thought EC Blackies were with an 8 hole, one ply pickguard. And I think "Piano Black" is just "Black" in Fender Lingo...


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:06 am
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Since the entire S/N is visible, run it by Fender's Consumer Relations department and see what they can tell you about the guitar.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:40 am
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Two things make me suspicious.
Wrong scratchplate, and the serial is not in the right place on the headstock.

It would be interesting to see the routings - it should be a 50s SSS routing, with an additional rout for the preamp board.

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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:00 am
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stratmangler wrote:
....Wrong scratchplate, and the serial is not in the right place on the headstock.
...


I agree the Serial Nº is in the wrong place for a modern "Blackie" I don't know about an older Lace Sensor one.

What are you seeing in the scratch plate which doesn't look right? I'm not saying you are wrong, just interested in what you have spotted.

[edit] Ahh good spot - Early Lace Sensors were 8 hole single ply. [/edit]

Other than the above it looks pretty legit to me. Even the rust is appropriate for a Lace Sensor age guitar.

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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:22 am
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John Sims wrote:
stratmangler wrote:
What are you seeing in the scratch plate which doesn't look right? I'm not saying you are wrong, just interested in what you have spotted.


It's 3 ply, and 11 screws.
With a 50s rout there's nothing to screw into below the pickup selector.
The scratchplate could have been replaced by a previous owner, but it should be a single ply 8 screw.

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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:40 am
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stratmangler wrote:
John Sims wrote:
stratmangler wrote:
What are you seeing in the scratch plate which doesn't look right? I'm not saying you are wrong, just interested in what you have spotted.


It's 3 ply, and 11 screws.
With a 50s rout there's nothing to screw into below the pickup selector.
The scratchplate could have been replaced by a previous owner, but it should be a single ply 8 screw.


+1

It's imperative that you inspect the body with the pickguard removed.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:38 am
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What I've read, the EC original model came out in 88 in the colors you've mentioned. The "Blackie" model came out in 89 and is only in black, go figure and has the "Blackie" label on the peg head where the previous release does not but was based loosely on the Blackie guitar.

The serial number label may not be in the exact location it eventually ended up being, not to uncommon for Fender to move around backside labels during the time period.

The scratch plate, well I dunno for sure on the early Blackie model but definitely wrong for the earliest version of the EC model.

As everyone has said, check the body cavity and also the pickup plate data/serial # to confirm. The case candy pic shows 2000 series lace sensor data. The color seems a little dull to me but might just be pic/monitor issues.
If you gonna spend them clams, go check it out in person if possible...


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:21 pm
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Having checked all of the Fender pricelists from 1986 to present, the EC strat was first offered in 1987 in Pewter and Torino red with Candy Green being added in 1988. Black was first offered in 1991, Olympic White in 1996 and the lace sensors were replaced with noiseless pups in 2001.


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:59 pm
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dlloyd, I don't disagree w/ your complete color listings for the EC artist series or the change to noiseless pups. My point is there are two separate models (artist series and Blackie); plus the CS versions. The CS Blackie, only 12 guitars were made in 87 and the non CS model wasn't made until 1989.
The ops guitar appears to be a "Blackie" non-CS model.
My source is the Gruhn's guide to vintage guitars.
Regardless of these details, if you gonna spend them clams; go check it out in person if possible...


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:26 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
dlloyd, I don't disagree w/ your complete color listings for the EC artist series or the change to noiseless pups. My point is there are two separate models (artist series and Blackie); plus the CS versions. The CS Blackie, only 12 guitars were made in 87 and the non CS model wasn't made until 1989.
The ops guitar appears to be a "Blackie" non-CS model.
My source is the Gruhn's guide to vintage guitars.
Regardless of these details, if you gonna spend them clams; go check it out in person if possible...


I'm going to have to get a copy of that...

Yes, I think I'll pass on this one. I'm guessing it's been built from parts bought off ebay. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing... after all, the original blackie was a partsocaster, albeit built from mid 50s strats.


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:57 am
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I had one but sold it back in Feb for £900. It was in excellent condition, including A1 case and all candy, but I had used it and although it was totally ding-free, the finish had acquired the slight 'swirlies' you get after that amount of time. I bought it brand new in 1989 and the serial number was SE928361, compared to this Ebay one of SE929170.

I still have photos of mine and can confirm the pickguard was 8-hole single ply. Maybe they 'improved' later ones, although I doubt it when they'd gone to so much trouble to design the model. Also, today's new ones are all single ply, 8 hole. So something needs explaining.

I'm very surprised at the condition of this one - c.27 years old?? I'd want to see it close up before making an offer and ask whether it's had a respray or refinish of any kind, and whether the pickguard was original. Everything else looks kosher, but I would only pay as much as £1,050 tops for it, if it checks out.


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Post subject: Re: Genuine Eric Clapton Blackie?
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:25 pm
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Maybe it's a phony, but looks like a nice guitar and case. The 3 ply pickguard is questionable.


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