Frankly, I doubt very strongly that ANY signature artist plays a standard production model of his/her signature guitar, period, regardless of manufacturer. YMMV.

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You dig?

That's what I was hinting at Martian. I just didn't want anyone to get hurt feelings so I tried to be circumspect.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

What's the answer Trauma? Or do you want more contestants? Come on posters guess!!

The most successful artist playing an MIM guitar is some dude playing in a band that's about to "make it". Because once an aritist hits the big time they no longer play the economy MIM instruments, they step up to American made because price is no longer an issue.

There, I said it.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Ah Ha!! A trick question! The answer is none of the above!!

I thought Cray played a Telacaster more often then a Strat, he also plays a CS Strat.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

CV, your information is correct. My response was based on who is most popular and having a MIM signature model (followed second by I would presume, Jimmie Vaughn). Again, as has been said above, Probably NO signature artist is using a COTS model of their signature guitar unless of course, it is the original guitar that whichever manufacturer cloned for them.

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You dig?

yup...all that

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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 recall that Clapton has been using his signature model since the late 80s or early 90s. I'm not sure if it's a production model or possibly a custom shop.

I mean a stock off the line MIM....I guess once you get famous you don't use it anymore....

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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

Buddy Guy? Robert Cray? Jimmie Vaughan? Buddy Guy has a lot of guitars, but I'm sure I read somewhere that one of the ones he's used live was one of his stock signature models, MIM.

And let's not forget Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys. I'm pretty sure he uses a modified MIM Strat.

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Slash used a Les Paul copy to make Appetite for Destruction. He had the same guy make him two more before he passed away. Forget Custom Shop I was reading an article where a lot of guys use a ghost luthier who is not even affiliated with the company to make there guitars.

What about John5?



He does use this tele though it's not his main guitar as each has its own format. Check out this country style shred:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W4b_CVLMpI

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I saw Robert Cray last summer and he played his strats much more than the Tele.

The rants are pretty good in here, http://www.edroman.com/rants/ghost.htm