i have a E.C. Custom but want a guitar that plays similar to just practice with and i see them new from $799.00--any good?????

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Really funny you mention this. I've got a Custom Shop Clapton as well and landed on a Classic Series 50's strat a few weeks ago. I believe there are only a few minor differences between the Series and Players strats, but I would highly recommend the Classic 50's. It's a phenomenal guitar and I've been having loads of fun with it!!

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Sitting in my car, smoking a cigar, the only time I'm happy is when I play my guitar.

Gear
Classic Series 50's Stratocaster
Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster
'62 Reissue Twin Reverb

Nice strat the classic 50s.

+1. Felt very nice, compared to some other guitars in it's price range. I ended going a bit of a different direction though.

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Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Indeed.

I rebuilt mine into a Buddy Holly Tribute Strat......



It's logged around 350 gigs now.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

thanks gang--

_________________
2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Best place to buy new ??????

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

It's sounding more and more like I went the right direction! All I've heard are positive things for the Classic 50's!

Quick question though: Before you decide to buy, I'd highly recommend going to try out both the Classic Player and the Classic Series. There are some subtle (and not so subtle) differences between the two guitars. When I was researching the two before I bought my Series 50's, I noticed that the Player 50's has a 9.5" radius neck (Series has 7.25") and the pickups are wound differently between the two. Coming from the Clapton, you might want to go the Player route since it has the same radius neck. I went the Series direction because I wanted to switch it up a bit.

You will be very happy with either though. There is enough difference between the Clapton and the 50's that you will want to play both guitars. They each have something unique to offer.

For your consideration:
Classic Player 50's: http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0141102303
Classic Series 50's: http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0131002304

Definitely try to get into a shop to try before you buy simply for quality control, rather than going the musiciansfriend.com route or something of the nature.

Cheers!
Chris

_________________
Sitting in my car, smoking a cigar, the only time I'm happy is when I play my guitar.

Gear
Classic Series 50's Stratocaster
Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster
'62 Reissue Twin Reverb

thats exactly why i will buy the classic players--i love the 9.5 soft V neck--that way when i pick up my Clapton its basicly the same feel--thanks for the imput

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Perfect! Good luck with the purchase! Let us know what you decide on and make sure to snap some pics. These Classic 50's guitars that the MIM factory has been putting out are absolutely amazing. The quality is beyond anything I've seen out of that factory in a while.

Cheers!
Chris

_________________
Sitting in my car, smoking a cigar, the only time I'm happy is when I play my guitar.

Gear
Classic Series 50's Stratocaster
Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster
'62 Reissue Twin Reverb

call guitar center and tell them you lost your 10percent off coupon , will save you a few bucks, plus they will ship it to a store close to you for free...

#1--any first hand knowledge of quality control problems with the MIM strats ??
I've read a lot of reviews and a few are having issues with the Finish---
#2--anyone know the actual warranty period on a new MIM strat ??

_________________
2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

might step up to the American Deluxe V-Neck strat--

_________________
2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

I've had a 2-tone sunburst Classic Player Strat for a few years now, and I've got to say, it is a tremendous guitar. I love the v-neck, it plays like butter.

The build quality is fantastic, too. I purchased it as opposed to an American Standard, because I had heard that because it is "custom shop designed," the luthiers spend more time with the guitar than an American Standard would have gotten. And this does seem to be the case - the frets are perfect, right out of the box.

I had a hard time when I purchased it though. I ordered it from my local, independently owned music shop in May '07. They told me it would be there in two weeks. It actually got to the store in late October '07. Worth the wait, but I think next time I order a guitar in high demand, I'll go with one of the bigger distributors. (I know that comment will anger a lot of the people on this forum, but when you need the guitar now, you need it NOW. )

They're not built by the custom shop. made in mexico. I got one of these in a trade to maybe force myself to go back to Fender products. I used alot of different Fender gear 20+ years ago and I have to say the quality has went downhill. I also bought a 65TRRI 15+ years ago, it was built pretty good. I just got a recent 65 SRRI and the quality is way below what they were. The Super sells for 1500-1600 now, should be more around 400-500. I'm not impressed at all. My old Music Man amps completely wipe the floor with it and it's not even in the ballpark to my 50watter....Fender is just like everybody else, on the path to make everything so freaking cheap and junky somewhere else and then dump it on the U.S. market. Just my .02