I don't know if this is the right area of the forum but I thought I had saw someone post that they were interested in a Clapton strat. Well i stumbled upon a MIJ version on ebay international. Here's the link below:
http://global.ebay.com/Fender_Japan_Str ... 90577/item

Sorry to the mods if this is in the wrong area or against forum rules.

ANother one but this one is a sunburst finish

http://global.ebay.com/Fender_Stratocas ... 01160/item

I am 99.9999999999% sure there are no Clapton signature models made anywhere but at the custom shop.
Reading the two ads, both of these have been "Modified" to the EC spects.

Guitar center in Beaverton and the one in Clacamas Oregon both have a use blackie for sale, there 900.00.

Both are legit, both are used, the Beaverton one plays better.

For what it's worth.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Jeffytune

There are Japanese Clapton strats, they've been around for a fair while now. Some of em don't even have the midboost. The Japanese product catalogue is very wide and varying, theres a lot of stuff in it that we just don't see out west.

The Mickey Mouse strat for example.



Occasional poster ChichiSweetpapa bought one for his daughter who plays in his surf band.


If that guitar was going to sell anywhere, you'd think America at Christmas would be the sure fire selling ground. Never sold outside of the Japanese market though. Some may have been bought over, non were sold through anything but a Japanese shop though.
Also the Artist series Clapton strat used to be called the Signature series. Thats made on the production line.

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No no and no

As Jeffytune noted, neither one of the E-Bay Strats claim to actually be Clapton Strats. The first one says "it is the answer to" the Clapton Strat, the 2nd says it is modified to Clapton specs.

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Bill

I was unaware, thank you for informing me in such a polite way as you have done.

It's nice to not get slammed for a mistake from time to time.

That aside, the two he pointed to were not Clapton models, just been "Upgraded" to the Clapton spects.

BTW, is the Japanese catalog on line in English for me to read?

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Mate I don't believe in slamming anyone. I learn a lot here as I'm sure others do too. There's just no need for any rudeness at all. We've all got stuff to share and the place is better if we feel that we can do that without incurring some internet hardmans wrath.

Anyways yes you're right. Both of those guitars are upgraded, the 22fretter is a funny one though isnt it? 22 frets on what is otherwise a 50's vintage style guitar. Thats what the Japanese branch are best at in my opinion. The quirky, slightly skewed stuff.
Theres a few shops in the UK that specialize in Japanese guitars. I haven't seen a product catalogue though.

Used stuff here
http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedguitars.htm

New stuff here
http://www.mijfenders.com/
(the Gallery links still work on some, if not all the sold ones)

Allthough this shop has now ceased trading (I was considering buying from them last year) the site is still up giving me some hope for a comeback.
Note on the strat page, about 1/4 of the way down. A 54/57 RI in Clapton spec. Not a Clapton signature or Artist series but a new from the factory same spec Clapton with gold lace's too.

http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/index.php?f=data_fender_japan_new_guitars&a=0

I knew I'd seen one somewhere. Some may find it more appealing for the lack of signature on the headstock. It's about the same price as a USA production line Clapton at £1000.



Was offered in these colours.



There is also the ever impressive Ishibashi to see the latest and greatest out of the land of the rising sun.
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/ubox.cgi?word=2&key=Fender&equal1=&value5=&select5=down&sort=&print=40&T=gazo

Get ready for a shopping overload looking at that site. I'm considering drafting the missus just to sort my shopping agenda on that site out. A good mix of Japanese, Mexican and American instruments there. 567 Fender's worth in fact.

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No no and no

Lot's more pictures here of the Japanese Clapton. Click on the picture to see the next one.

http://www.mijfenders.com/Gallery/ST5495LSgallery/imagepages/image25.htm

If you type Fender ST54-95 into your search engine it may come up with more results in your locale. I'm currently searching for one near me, otherwise it's the order from Japan.

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No no and no

Give respect where it's due. Searching ST54-95 in Google revealed a wealth of information on this site posted by ChromeFace.

Myself I'm currently smitten with this trio.



Working on the missus to see about a trip to Tokyo.

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No no and no

The Ishibashi "Fender Japan" pages are a lot of fun to check out, that's for sure. That "Japanese Clapton" is an example of Fender Japan "stealth" signature models. They also had a couple of Hendrix models recently, but the secret is that they don't officially mention "Hendrix" -- just like Niki's find doesn't officially mention "Clapton."

Just check out the styling and the features and you know what they are!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

What is really getting to me is this paragraph from Ishibashi's opening page.



Is it just me reading wrong, or are they more or less saying they won't sell new outside of Japan?

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No no and no

Its interesting, I bought my strat plus from them and found the whole process seamless. From what I can gather about the above comment is that they do sell, you need to contact them directly. If you want to deal with a professional, ask for Hiroaki and he will sort you out right. He actually lived not far from where I work in Auckland, he used to live in NZ many years ago. He is a top bloke.

FYI that ST-54 LS strat above for 1000pounds? mate that is grossly over-priced. I can land one in NZ for slightly more than that but in NZ dollars... perhaps $1100 NZD. I allways wondered if far east guitars got there stock from Ishibashi...

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Well you've the Ishibashi price, or whatever outlet they use. Then something like 40% odd in various 'dare to buy abroad' punishment. The shops gotta cover their costs and overheads too.

It wouldn't suprise me if any of those UK shops buy from Ishibashi or any other Japanese outlet. Fender USA don't strictly supply guitars to UK outlets. They are supplied to Fender UK then distributed to outlets.
I bet it's the same for stockists in other countries too. They deal with Fender wherever, rather than Fender USA.

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No no and no

Tell you what, its actually daylight robbery if they do.
I thought I took a massive gamble when I ordered my strat plus from them. I scoured around for a while and found a guitar that really caught my eye. I hummed and harred for a while then I sent an email just asking small detail about the guitar. I then decided to go down to the local store and got a calling card then I called Hiroaki at Ishibashi customer centre. That guy is an absolute top bloke. If you want to buy a guitar from Ishibashi- ask for Hiroaki and him only. He will see you right. (I sent Ishibashi an email and messaged through FB congratulating him on his outstanding performance!.) He actually used to live in auckland.
Anyway- He hgave me a run down of the process, then I had a day before I finally decided to pull the trigger. This was the photo in the Ishibashi u-box webshop:



This is the email I had
> Dear Blair,
>
> Thank you for your phone call & e-mail.
> This is Hiroaki from Ishibashi WEB SHOP.
>
> I am glad to hear from New Zealand customer.
> I used to live in there:-)
> I think it is good summer season in NZ!
>
> Here is the information of your interest.
> Please check the below.
>
> =STRAT PLUS/(**ref number deleted**) --- 85,524Yen
> This is available now.
> -Some minor scratches and dents could be seen on the body, but they are
> not serious.
> -On the head stock, there are minor dents and finish chip.
> -Neck condition is good.
> -Fretwear could be seen, but they are not serious.
> -Working condition is fine.
> -Front Tone is changed TBX to normal tone. (**it was actually swapped position for the other tone pot- easily fixed**)
> -Serial number is "N3 *****" (**deleted**). manufactured in 1993.
> -It comes with hard case!
>
> About the shipping fee, w/hard case guitar to NZ would be 16,000Yen.
>
> Here is my offer for you to order the Our Used Fender.
> Hope you would like it:)
>
> STRAT PLUS/315014605 w/hard case --- 85,524Yen
> Shipping/Insurance fee(NewZealand)--- 16,000Yen
> -------------------------------------------------
> The TOTAL --- 101,524Yen
>
> We accept payment by a credit card, PAYPAL and bank wire.
> Additional 3000 Yen of bank wire fee will has to be added to the total
> quoted above in case you choose bank wire transfer as your payment
> method.
>
> If you use your credit card for your payment,
> we could accept a VISA, Master or AMEX card.
> When you place an order, please advise me of the following information by
> e-mail.
> 1. Your name,
> 2. Address,
> 3. Phone number,
> 4. Holders name of your card,
> 5. Expiration date of your card.
>
> Please send your credit card number from
> ---> https://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/card/card.htm
>
> I hope to hear from you soon.
>
> If you have question, please feel free to contact me.
> Thank you very much.
>
> Best regards,
> Hiroaki Gohno/International Sales Agent
> Ishibashi WEB SHOP
> Ishibashi Music Corporation
> E-mail---> web-shop@ishibashi.co.jp
> Web Site Domestic---> http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/
> Web Site Intl.---> http://www.ishibashi-music.com
> USED WEB Site---> http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/
> Telephone number: +81-3-3291-7090
> Fax: +81-3-3291-8130

After I sent the money transfer through my bank, I began to panic and I had buyers remorse. I thought that either:
the guitar wouldnt show or the description didnt fit the condition, all sorts of things were going through my head at the time.
The guitar left the store which was actualy in Nagoya, then to the distribution centre where it had a final check, new strings and a good clean. The neck & fingerboard was wrapped in a light polystyrene wrap that you may find when you purchase a new flat panel tv or laptop. It was de-tuned, then shipped.
Then 5 days later- I had a guitar in my hands. I used the track and trace method they gave and pretty much tracked it down to my doorstep. I was sooo paro about Duty tax and Goods & Service Tax but the guitar flew right through the border & customs. The guitar was in its case, which too was bubble wrapped real good, and placed in a very thick box with heaps of stiff paper screwed up around it so the case didnot move in the box. After pulling the guitar out, there was soo much paper, bubble wrap and cardboard everywhere that it looked like christmas day with the kids in the lounge- they dont pack their cargo on the cheap and for good reason!

The case candy and invoice were enclosed in the accesorie compartment in the case, the box itself had a label with my name and address, from Ishibashi Dist Centre. Nothing was declared at the border= no taxes to pay

This is the guitar below- (I know I have posted these before but for anyone wanting to order- I want to encourage them to do so and not pay the massive UK/USA prices) Note the description of the condition above in the email. One thing I will say is that Ishibashi are soooooo podantic about their stock condition, and Japanese people in general are very meticulous with their own belongings. The condition the guitar was in was pretty mint- one mark I found, I spat on a cloth and buffed it out in 10secs. I was stoked & beside myself when I saw how good it was for a 1993 Strat:












Note the wrapp used which is sitting next to my hot water kettle:





So if your looking at ordering from Ishibashi mate or anyone else for that matter- save yourself a trip to Japan, order it from Hiro @ Ishibashi. The process was seamless and efficient, the guitar came on time and the decription did not do the real thing any justice. I cannot believe the 1000pound price tag for the ST54-LS up there mate- thats just rude. Or better still- order it, send it to me- come down for a visit and take it back with you. Bring some beer & some jaffa cakes wont you?

Highly recommend Ishibashi to anyone. If anyone has questions or concerns, feel free to ask

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I've been living in Japan for the past 20 years and know Ishibashi very well. There is no need to ask for Hiro unless he's the only one that speaks English. The Japanese are top notch in their service to customers. I'm sure you would get just as well taken care of no matter who you got on the other end. They don't mess around over here. And God forbid if you get your guitar and there is a problem, they will jump through hoops to make it right.
MULLY