I hate to cause a ruckus among the MIA vs MIM people here but in Claptons new autobiography on page 313 he says...

"....and all day we opened presents. My favorite was a white mexican stratocaster with a gold anodized scratchplate that Melia had seen me eyeing up in a local guitar store. On the back of the guitar she had written a lovely dedication, and all the girls signed thier name. It's the best present I ever got."

....so now we REALLY know the MIM vs MIA war should be put to rest. Slowhand owns a MIM.......who knew?

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

I read that too. Doesn't help the MIM case at all but rather the play what feels best case.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

I think at the level of gift buying/receiving EC is at cost and magnitude are far outweighed by care and consideration. Lets face it the guys got everything. Whoever bought him the guitar could of just as easily bought him a ferrari or ACE cobra.
I have no doubt he enjoys the guitar. Theres no reason he wouldnt. Whether he plays it or not is another matter.

I dont think we'll ever see him driving a old marroon sierra round the keefley bypass though.

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No no and no

I was sitting a few yards from Clapton on stage Monday night and you know what? He was playing his new Signature Ibanez.








He wasn't really - but a few hearts around the world just skipped a beat, didn't they?

Cheers - C

You MIM owners need to give it a break. No way they are as good as MIA much less a Custom Shop! Stop obsessing and trying to justify your perfectly good Fender guitar and play and enjoy!!

Give what a break? I am not trying to justify anything. What's this "you MIM owners" stuff. Have we become our own seperate society? I thought we were all guitarists or trying to be anyway. I was just reading the book and just happened to think it was interesting and just happened to feel like letting you guys know but I forgot you are the forum police on these matters and you love to stop and give out your little verbal speeding tickets along the way....maybe one day you will just go "He does? That's cool...thanks for the info"

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

yes ceri, indeed tell us how you managed that.....sounds like a blast.........

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

What was the purpose of your thread then? Information? A tongue in cheek joke? How do you know that I don't own a MIM? No I'm not the police. I should have known I'd get such a reply like yours! I said the MIM is a good guitar but will not say it's better than a MIA. Peace! Believe me , I have no agenda my friend .

no harm no foul....but the implication of you saying YOU MIM owners as opposed to US, WE, ME, I....... you know those kinds of descriptive terms that reflect you as a MIM owner do help and the purpose of the thread was just that....Hey wow EC owns a MIM, something for MIM owners to take some pride in. yes I own a MIM and see that since I joined these board that it is indeed a sticky subject, so I try not to start a riot but if you mention MIM...there is an MIA guy coming to the rescue. I did not imply he recorded his greatest album ever on it or anything else like that....I just wanted to say hey EC owns a MIM...cool....I respect you, Ceri, Big Jay, nikkininja as you are the guys that seem to be constant on the boards...you guys let me know that there is still intelligent life forms still out there ........no harm no foul

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

(Regarding comments on Clapton on stage, above.)

Hi guys: well I've posted this elsewhere, but it bears repetition.

I've been following Joe Bonamassa for a few years. First time he played in my country was five years ago at a club called The Borderline, in front of about 60 people (he said). I've seen him several times in small venues, he's worked very hard here and his audience has been growing steadily.

Six months ago a show was announced at London's Albert Hall - a venue with a very notable rock history. It sold out fast and I failed to get tickets. However, a few days ago my wife revealed that she had got tickets: the gig was last Monday. Her husband was very happy - cool wife!

We had excellent seats, and as the stage was being set after the support I noticed a pale blue Strat being tuned to one side. I mentioned to the missus that ZZDoc recently told us Clapton has started using a Strat of that color - I think Mike Eldred commented on it on his Forum here.

And whachathink? A few numbers in Clapton himself strolled out onto the stage and they did Further On Up The Road together. I made a grab for my wife's little Fugi FinePix camera and filmed it - my first ever attempt at filming, so forgive me it's limitations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DydslPSlyaE

Anyhow. Bonamassa nearly fainted with delight at the end and said playing the Albert Hall with Clapton was the "coolest moment of his life". Which it may have been.

They were filming the show for a forthcoming DVD, which will look better than my effort...

Cheers - C

You're right BigJay, I did not intend to ruffle any feathers but I guess I hit a nerve. I am neutral on the subject. Won't say anymore on the subject. Cheers to all!