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Post subject: Best choice
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:06 am
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You can't go wrong with a Signiture Clapton Strat.


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Post subject: Re: Best choice
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:21 am
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ericmtz60 wrote:
You can't go wrong with a Signiture Clapton Strat.
:

Ditto: However, from the options set out in the intial post, I think we are looking at budgetary issues here as well.

Doc :wink:

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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:22 pm
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zzdoc wrote:

I've not been able to find a price on that amp/guitar combo. Do you happen to have it? It's not on the price list.

Doc :?:


its a uk price so you will get it cheaper. heres the link
http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_george_fullerton_set_57.htm?partner_id=25293

The US price i found is here

http://www.privatereserveguitars.com/Fender-George-Fullerton-50th-Anniversary-1957-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-and-Pro-Junior-Amp-515900-i1386079.guitars


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:53 pm
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hey,

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my posts. I ended up going to two fairly local guitar shops yesterday and it was time well spent. There is NO substitute for getting some of these great guitars in your own hands and seeing what you like and what feels good.

I thought I would update everyone and see if there were any additional thoughts. I recognize that these thoughts are simply my own, based on my own likes/dislikes/preferences, so PLEASE take no offense with any of the comments.

I would be relatively happy with any of the models that I tried. THat being said:

- I found the american standard to be the most 'neutral' of the lot. There was nothing in particular that I disliked about the guitar....but on the other hand, there wasn't anything that really wowed me about the guitar either. It felt almost 'generic' to some of the other guitars that I tried. To be completely honest, other than perhaps an irrational psychological reason for having a MIA guitar, I would not consider this a particuarly effective 'upgrade' from my current MIM strat - in fact, I like some aspects of my MIM neck better than the amer. std. model I tried.

- The '57 american vintage was my first experience with a V neck....obviously, COMPLETELY different feel than the modern C shaped necks I am more accustomed to. I was not a big fan of the neck - the combination of the V shape and the relatively thicker front to back dimension (at least compared to the amer. std. i tried before it) left me a little wanting.

- The clapton production model I tried was not nearly as sever of a V shape as the '57. It seemed to actually be a nice sort of compromise between a V shape and necks I would more typically find on modern strats. I am pretty sure with a little bit of time this neck could feel fairly comfortable for me. One thing I did not like, however, was I thought the tinting on the neck was a little over the top. i can kind of understand it on a reissue (though I still dont think I would prefer it even then) but I dont get it on a more modern model that, in fact, has all kinds of 'modern' circuitry in it. Another somewhat irrational concern (but a concern nonetheless), I kind of dislike the idea of the signature being front and center on the headstock. It probably wouldnt preclude me from buying a signature model, if i really thought i liked it best, but i still wish it wasnt there.

- They didnt have a '70's model for me to try but they did have a custom shop '69 reissue that they said had a U neck that was similar to the production model '70s. Like the '57 reissue and clapton models, compared to the amer. std, there was something immediately distinctive about the neck. I had never really tried a U shaped neck before but I tended to like this particular one. The fretboard was not as flat as the amer. std (or clapton, i believe) and it had a really good combination of thickness without being too 'wide' from low E to high E (dont know what that measurement would be). It played like glass - I dont know if thats the reissue finish or some of the benefits of being a custom shop model but it was a REALLY playable guitar. Overall, it was clearly the neck that I liked best.

- I also happened to try an Eric Johnson signature model they had. Like the previous 3, immediately distinctive feel and sound. It was pretty nice. The neck seemed to be pretty highly figured and the overall quality seemed to be a little higher than the other production models i tried (even the clapton). it looked and felt almost like a custom shop guitar. I think i prefer a little more curve to the neck - this seemed to be quite wide from E sting to E string and very flat. I think I could be happy with this one though, as it is quite distinctive and fun to play.

So, I am in the process of re-evaluating. I've gone years and years without any guitars, and years with my MIM, so I can wait a few more days/weeks/months...whatever it takes to feel commited enough to make a decision.

I am revising my thinking right now, though, to maybe exploring the custom shop world a little more. Yes, they are expensive and more than I originally thought I would spend but the difference between the CS '69 and the others was substantial in mind. Had I not known which were customs and which were production models I would have easily guessed which was which after about a minute in my hands (the EJ one may have thrown some doubt in my mind though).

I am leaning toward the '69 but am also HIGHLY curious about the clapton CS model. Particularly curious how the neck would be described vs. the production model. Is it a more severe V (more similar to the '57 reissue)? Is it narrower (meaning less thick front to back)? Is the E string to E string dimension the same as on the production model?

Any further thoughts much appreciated - particularly on the CS '69 and the CS Clapton....and of course, comparative thoughts of the two against each other. One downside to all this is as I am exploring the Customs a little more, those are even harder to find around me than the production models!

thanks again


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:21 pm
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[quote="nikininja"][quote="zzdoc"]: The US price i found is here


Thanks for the referral. :wink: Ouch :shock: :!:
Suggest you go for the house and the Harley. A politically correct move
(on both sides of the pond, I might say). 8)

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:36 pm
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[quote="ufboy73"]hey,


-the CS Signature Clapton should have a lighter color and satin finish with the signature on the BACK of the headstock. The neck dimensions are the same but the CS may have a slightly slimmer feel. The radius is 9.5.

Todd Krause build's EC's guitars. A Masterbuilt guitar as described in StratoKaster's post, ordered as such, the thing speaks for itself, but you're paying top dollar. That would be my preference were I planning another Clapton (and an early grave :P :P :roll: ) but I would likely have it finished like a Fullerton "57. Gets the 'Brownie' groove. 8)

-you'll find specs on the '69RI in the Custom Shop products section.

-the EJ neck is designed to his specs: quartersaw maple with a 12" radius and the headstock set back more; read the specs on it in the Artists section.

-the '57 is a hard V- and the radius is 7.5

Don't know where you're located but you might want to contact Fender at consumerrelations@fender.com or give us a heads up here. Maybe some in the Forum knows a vender near you that deals in high end Strats.

Keep us current.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:19 pm
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The American Standard is a great guitar. :D


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:27 pm
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3-Tone wrote:
The American Standard is a great guitar. :D


Different strokes :wink: We're trying to help this dude find his 'lobster'! :P

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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:14 am
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zzdoc wrote:


I would also endorse the '57 Hotrod. Niki took my advice during his search, auditioned the guitar and owned it. I have expressed the feeling that this is a spinoff of EC's '57 Blackie. Something about that neck gives me that idea.

Doc


is the '57 hot rod neck the same as the '57 american vintage? They only had the hot rod at the store and I could not try just a stock american vintage.

If they are the same neck (i.e. hard "V") does that imply that the earlier Clapton models had a much harder "V" than the current soft "V" found on both the production and CS current models? It seems to be the implication from some of the other posts.

Also, I see some references to the CS clapton neck being 'narrower' and/or more tapered than the production clapton model. Does this mean that the CS model is a harder "V" (more like the '57?) and also thinner from front to back?

thanks!


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:52 am
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[quote="ufboy73"][quote="zzdoc"]

is the '57 hot rod neck the same as the '57 american vintage? Negative!

If they are the same neck (i.e. hard "V"): -'They are not"

"Slimmer" would be the description, but ever so slightly so.

Keep searching for a vendor who might have an Artist series and Signature Series Clapton, a '57 Hotrod, and a '57 Vintage all in the same place. That's the only way your going to get a 'handle' on this.

I've played all three guitars under the same roof. The nuances of these differences have to be appreciated by the player. Yes, I feel my '89's neck has slightly better feel. And in my hands the 'modern C-neck' feels uncomfortable, but the '57V neck on my Gilmour, which is basically a vintage-C is just a hair less V-shaped than my Clapton but as comfortable for me.

Man...it's like trying on underwear. Different strokes for different folks. Like I've said elsewhere, I've burned through 7 guitars in the past 15 years to get to where I am now.

Keep on truck'in :wink:

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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:22 pm
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zzdoc wrote:
Man...it's like trying on underwear. Different strokes for different folks. Like I've said elsewhere, I've burned through 7 guitars in the past 15 years to get to where I am now.


Hahaha! I've never actually tried on underwear before purchase. On that one I'd be right with those who don't like to buy a shop-soiled item! Eeeewwww...

To the subject: I'm mostly a fascinated outsider on this conversation, but I believe I've understood right that the ufboy73 has not yet tried out the Gilmour Strat? I haven't either, but going purely on what some who's opinions we take seriously here have said about it I wonder if that one should be thrown into the mix? In view of everthing that has been said on this thread by various parties about neck shapes.

Be most curious to hear the OP's thoughts on that Strat: sounds like he has good hands and can express what he's thinking. Ufboy, I'm also wondering what you made of the sounds of some of those guitars...?

Carry on, gentlemen. Very stimulating.

Cheers - C


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:55 pm
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[quote="Ceri"][quote="zzdoc"]
Hahaha! I've never actually tried on underwear before purchase. On that one I'd be right with those who don't like to buy a shop-soiled item! Eeeewwww...

I was thinking along the lines of buying brand after brand until one finds something that fits 'the goods'.

Back to the question: He starts off his thread by listing the guitars of interest. I don't think his price point is at the Gilmour Level although he is swimming in CS waters on an exploratory excursion.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:33 pm
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(We really mustn't fly off on one of our tangents here... But my part of the world the venerable store of Marks & Spencers had the policy of offering no-quibble money back on returned items long before that became standard practice everywhere. But I'd always assumed there was a huge incinerator in the basement that all those returned sets of underwear were flung into. I can't bear to think of the alternative...)

Yes, the Gilmour certainly represents price escalation from the first post. Though that seemed to be the direction the thread was moving in, so I thought I'd suggest it. I'd also suggest the gentleman runs over to the Custom Shop Forum and takes a look at what you, Doc, amongst some others have said about the Gilmour, particularly the feel of it's neck. Very useful, in light of what's been said on this thread.

All good stuff!

Cheers - C


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:57 am
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Ceri wrote:

Yes, the Gilmour certainly represents price escalation from the first post. Though that seemed to be the direction the thread was moving in, so I thought I'd suggest it. I'd also suggest the gentleman runs over to the Custom Shop Forum and takes a look at what you, Doc, amongst some others have said about the Gilmour, particularly the feel of it's neck. Very useful, in light of what's been said on this thread.

All good stuff!

Cheers - C


Damn you Ceri - the last thing i need is a reason (excuse) to be spending even more than i originally intended on this little hobby:)

I just thought I would get a 'stock', moderately priced strat to pair with my les paul and i would be done with it. I made the mistake, however, of actually trying some of the different models, which led to preferences that in some cases appear will cost more. The funny thing is (as I stated in my original post) i am not even a good player. I have been getting back into it after a long absence but I really thought given my lack of expertise that I either wouldnt be able to discern any big difference between models and/or wouldnt care even if i could. It turns out though that maybe personal preference and skill dont have as high a correlation as i initially thought:)

at any rate, I think im mostly comfortable up to around the $2500, give or take, provided there is a real discernible difference in my mind of a guitar costing that much vs, say, the amer. std. I can not justify the gilmour price at this time, in my situation though. I will probably see what old posts have to say about the model, out of curiosity re: necks....although, even this may be a bad bad idea:)

re: sound. you know i am pretty easy. i prefer almost a neutral 'strat' sound if that makes sense. nothing too hot, able to get bell like quality when clear and also get a little dirty - but at all times, unmistakably strat. I mean ive got amp settings and stop boxes to provide coloring. I didnt feel that any of the models i tried would have precluded me from achieving this.

doc, re: sizing comparisons. You said the '57 and the '57 hot rod were not the same neck - which were you saying was 'slimmer'. and to be sure, what do we mean by 'slimmer'. do we mean not as thick front to back? does 'taper' refer to the amount of or hardness of the "V", meaning the more taper the harder the "V"? I think i have a decent idea of what i want to feel just not a good sense of the terminology yet.

Im still calling around to shops in my area but no dice on finding a CS clapton yet - let alone a AV '57 and '57 reissue in the same place. I suspect being able to try all at the same time (or even all period) is going to be difficult.

I am in the San Fran bay area - if anyone happens to know of a guitar mecca that I havent somehow found already.

You guys have been really, really helpful so far. i just want to thank you for your patience and time in trying to help me out. I almost feel guilty in some way....a hack like me availing himself of all this expertise on here. At any rate, it is MUCH appreciated!


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:33 pm
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ufboy73 wrote:
Damn you Ceri


Yes, many people feel that way. It's all part of the service! :D

ufboy73 wrote:
You guys have been really, really helpful so far. i just want to thank you for your patience and time in trying to help me out. I almost feel guilty in some way....a hack like me availing himself of all this expertise on here. At any rate, it is MUCH appreciated!


Actually, it has already been one of the more interesting threads for a while. Really good to hear from someone asking intelligent questions of the guitars he's trying out. Beyond my spending league at present, but all excellent grist to the mill. So thank you. Stick around, why not?

Cheers - C


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