I figure that while I'm just sitting around I'll help with some of your questions.

As far as the artist series is concerned there have been no changes since they switched to the vintage noiseless pickups.

You are correct in your assessment of the TBX circuit- when I had an EC it never left the center- this is comparable to leaving a standard tone knob wide open. It controls all three pickups.

The mid-boost is controlled by the last knob (usually used for the middle pickups tone control). It is basically a boost pedal that has been wired into your guitar. When set to zero there is no change in your sound but as you roll it up you will here an increase in gain, volume and sustain.

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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

Those pics are great

Congrats on a great ax.CW explained your questions but I would just like to say I have a Clapton in Olympic White and it is a great ax.You can pull so many tones from it from single coil to that creamy LES PAUL tone.Tons of fun ahead.KEEP ON ROCKIN

[quote="SonicTunes"]

The 'regulars' will know why I'm writing and why I say that you've acquired what is likely the best workhorse guitar Fender ever built. I've owned two....presently an '89 Pewter, and a "97 Blackie which I traded up for a Custom Shop Strat I designed on the Clapton platform with SCN's. I swapped that out for my Gilmour last October.

This guitar is build in three versions...production Artist, Custom Shop Signature Series....and Masterbuilt. So you can work your way up as your taste and affordability grows.

The neck is sleek. I haven't measured the comparison points I've used with some of my colleagues on the Forum but my '89 is probably the leanest V-neck and in no comparison to the standard V-neck Fender produces. I have a new VG Deluxe V-neck which is definited chunkier.

The TBX...center pot....is a standard tone control to the number 5 detente, and then it rolls off the lows gradually until you get to 10. Nikininga maintains that even at 10, unlike the Deltatone circuit, there is still some slight influence on that tone Find these all neatly described in the Owner's Manual which should have accompanied your guitar. It's the standard issue, black cover with white art.

The midrange boost is controlled by the lower tone pot. It is a 25db boost whose circuit board lies in a routi in the lower horn of the guitar. It gives the guitar a thicker midrange enhancement, and you can EQ your tone by tweaking both pots. In evolution of this guitar, Eric wanted something which would give him what he called 'more compression'. (The entire tale can be found in A.R.Duchossoir's book on the Stratocaster, the most recent edition of which I was given to understand has a photo of the earliest version of the guitar which was fitted with a mini-toggle to turn the circuit on and off. This was later modified.) The 9V battery lies in a rout on the bottom wall of the trem cavity which is accessed by removing the back plate. The guitar becomes active when you plug in your cable. The jack is designed to make that connection so don't leave your guitar plugged in when not in use. The trem's mass block is 'stopped' because that's the way EC likes it. Bridge flat to the top and the block snug between the back of the rout and the mass block. The trem can be floated if you want that feature in the guitar.

Now, what's the difference between the Artist and Custom Shop Signature? Suffice it to say, that if you searched Forum archives you would find literally hours of communication between ourselves here on that topic which transpired over the past 12 months or more. A Custom Shop guitar is built with more select woods and attention to detail. The finishes are different. You can find this in specs. The artist's signature is on the back of the headstock along with the crest. There is no TBX, rather a standard tone control. Apparently the way EC plays 'em.

Now a Masterbuilt...if you have Jack Krause build it, will be to the tolerances of EC's guitar precisely. For one, Clapton's stage guitars no longer carry his signature, for several years now. Two of our group, Alainlafrance, and Stratokaster, each own one of three which were built by Jack in 2003 to the order of "as built for.''i.e a 'dimed' Clapton stage guitar in black.

I hope this is the beginning of a fascinating journey with this wonderful instrument. If I can be of any further assistance, do ask. That's why we are here.

Do yourself a favor and acquire Duchossoir's book.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

[quote="SonicTunes"]I In the meantime have look at the pics from EC concert in Dublin a few weeks ago.


Eric's dark finished guitars could be black, midnight blue, or mercedes blue. It's not always easy to tell. He's lately been playing a guitar finished in a Ferrari automobile paint called Grigio Silverstone. (Its not the first guitar he's ever had finished in an automobile paint. One was sold at the 2004 auction).

One of our group, ufboy, has a Masterbuilt guitar in the works and he is besides himself about getting this finish. It hasn't been available, restricted to the artist. Mike Eldred suggested, in a posting, that the Custom Shop might do a few in that, and ufboy is salivating at the prospect. We wish him luck. He likely the most detail oriented of our number with respect that guitar.

Takes all kinds,,,different strokes.....but we are learning from each other which makes this window hard to stay away from.

Doc.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Thanks all especially zzdoc and cwpainter for the info! I love all the trivia

I have now added pics.... click on the zoom function or use the slideshow option to see all the detail otherwise pics might appear too small... haven't removed the pic guard plastic film or stickers yet...

Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks again

Sonic,

Amazing looking guitar. As pretty as she is I bet she sounds sweeter!
She's several shades darker than my chrome silver Amer. Deluxe. Are not beautiful Strats just the best thing ever. No matter how bad a day you've had you can come home to your baby, or other baby if you're married and forget your problems for a short while. How do you like all the extras ( TBX & mid-boost)? I'm finally getting a feel for the S1 and I'm loving it. Been relearning John Lee Hooker's "Boom, Boom" using some of the S1 provided tones. Sounds better than when I originally learned it on an Amer. Std. But now seeing your new baby I'm gonna dig into some Clapton and Clapton inspired songs I've written. Do you have a favorite Clapton or Clapton band song to play? Anyway just wanted to say once again that I love your guitar. Have mucho fun playing that baby doll.

Russ

better watch your back
nah, just joking. am i?
seriously congratulations on an amazing strat.. love the tweed case.

[quote="DeadAhead"]Sonic,Amazing looking guitar. As pretty as she is I bet she sounds sweeter!:

It seems to me that we are looking at the Grigio Silvertone guitar in those concert pics.

I just viewed a video of an '88 Budokan concert he did with Knopfler and he was playing a Pewter guitar. It would make sense because '88 was the first year. Mine is an early '89 pewter. Depending on how the light catches it there are color variations.

Sonic's guitar is likely slightly lighter than the one in the concert pics he posted but they sure look close don't they??

If you want to see Grigio Silverstone, Google "Ferrari grigio silverstone: and go into the 'S2000' link.

I've seen a car in that finish on the street.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Here's a postscript to the above after further investigation. The concert in question was perfomed on 11/28/88. Actual production of the guitar was begun in Spring 1988 (Duchossoir). Dickson states that the grey "started as anthracite but was changed to pewter very,very, early on." (Crossroads Guitar Auctin Catalog 2004). Eric's two prototypes, given in 1986 and developed further from that point were finsihed one in red and the other in 'grey'. Perhaps the color never changed, only the naming. One such guitar was sold in the 1999 auction. I sought a copy of that auction catalog without success.

Having owned a '97 Blackie' and presently an '89 Pewter, both with Lace Sensors, I can concur with your preference for the 'grey'. The Grigio Silverstone must have some kind of subtle esthetic quality because our colleague 'ufboy' is passionate about having that done if possible, and time is ticking on his build. It is in progress.

As an aside, the other guitar, auctioned in 2004, which was done in an automobile paint, was finished in a Dupont color named "Chromalusion"
It's a kind of "blue" which looks different in different lighting. Dickson christened this guitar "The Rainbow Rod." Dickson is confident in stating that Eric likely used it a couple of times in performance in 2001 in NYC along with a black one(with blue sparkle).

Both of these guitars were painted by custom auto builder Roy Brizio of Roy Brizio Street Rods, Inc of South San Francisco who loaned Eric a 1932 Ford Model B roadster to tool around in while he was out there recording 'Riding With The King' with B.B. This "Chromalusion"is a finish that I would assuredly have Todd Krause pursue if he were building a guitar for me. It would have to look awesome under stage lighting.

Eric has a vehicle of similar kind in hs personal collection which you can see in the DVD of "One More Car, One More Rider". It is represented in the art work therein as well. The car has chrome headers embossed with the word "Crossroads".

Have a great day.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

Hi ZZDoc

Where and when did Clapton use a Pewter Strat? Any DVD's or clips with him playing one?

For DeadAhead

I love Layla, Cocain and Sunshine of your love...

Thanks,
G

That's a very nice guitar. Eric Clpaton plays one of his Pewter Strats on many songs on the Crossroads 2007 DVDs.



Here are a few of the songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km1ys8NUQfU
Tulsa Time - Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill & Albert Lee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcCcERRi6iY
Who Do You Love - Robbie Robertson, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks & Doyle Bramhall II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNNvWrXW8j4
Crossroads - Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks & Doyle Bramhall II

Gil

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Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
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Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

[quote="SonicTunes"]Hi ZZDoc
Where and when did Clapton use a Pewter Strat? Any DVD's or clips with him playing one?

In addition to what I quoted above, the late 80's Princes Trust Concerts for one. I've another at home which I will follow up with the name of unless someone beats me to it.

I believe the one in the photo with Robbie is finished in Grigio Silverstone, not Fender's Pewter.

By the way, there are lot of us chomping at the bit for a Relic/NOS Robertson the likes of what you see in that photo. There's a long thread in the Forums on his pickup configuration

Doc.

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"Another day in paradise!"

wow, an EC strat! i've seen them before but i've never had a chance to play one...i bet they sound amazing!