I am confused by the two. The standard artist series is advertised as the same guitar Clapton plays. The wood seems to be the same, and the electronics. So other than colors and the headstock signature and logos, I have been trying to find the real differences. Can't find many reviews comparing the 2. The few I did they said the custom shop is waaayyy better, but I don't see how. Any opinions??
Thanks

Hi

You can search this topic on Ask Mike Eldred forum. I think he once noted that both are nice instruments/strats but there is where similarities end.
BTW there are two different custom shop models too (not to add to the confusion )

Good luck

Yeah I tried a search, but even entering the word Clapton it comes up with nothing.

Mike Eldred replied to you on his thread

_________________
http://www.guitarmotel.com

As did I........

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

Ha...

Maybe it was one of you guys that made a comment on the diference between different EC guitars. Sorry if I credited a wrong person.

I just remember that there was quite a bit of conversation on this topic in the ME group.

There is, and there was, on multiple threads in fact, about a year ago, and for several months, until we finally doped out the differences between the Artist Series, Custom Shop, and Masterbuilt guitars.

You have the distillation of all of that brew. Were I you, in the market for same, and could set aside some serious money over time, the Masterbuilt guitar by Todd Krause is what you seek.

Let us know how you proceed.

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

Hi, I know it can be confusing. I have four Clapton Strats. Two are the regular Artist Series & two are Custom Shop Limited Editions. I definitely hear a difference between the Custom shop models & the standard. It is a small difference but noticeable. They sound clearer & more defined. My understanding is the use of more premium woods would be the tonal difference. One is also much heavier then the others & noticeably louder. I haven't played an EC Strat i didn't like. They all feel great & totally rock.
You can see them on Myspace/stratrocs. Good luck, just pick a color you like & go for it! [/b]

I am dealing on a custom shop version. Local music shops around here don't have anything like that. They go as far as the standard american, but thats it. Even one store only had one american and the rest were squier's.

The Custom Shops are definitely harder to find in the local stores. I have a couple of great suggestions for you. email me at Stratrocs@ aol.com.

Go to the ask Mike Eldred section, I asked the same thing. This is the wrong section but this is what he said.

CS body is two piece.
Line is up to 4.
CS route is tight like a 56 Strat.
Line is universal (Hum single Hum)
CS body is slightly different (more accurate).
Fit and finish is more detailed in CS.
CS does not use tilt adjustment.
Neck shape is what EC currently uses.
Line version is basically a "snapshot" of what EC has used.

[quote="guitarman0128"][quote]I am confused by the two. The standard artist series is advertised as the same guitar Clapton plays.

It's essentially a 'play on words' for marketing. The details become more refined as one moves from Artist Series to Custom Shop Signature to Masterbuilt. Masterbuilt is a close to 'as built for' as one ie likely to get, given any unannounced fine tuning which they may provide Clapton on request, and Todd Krause is the man.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"