Ive been playing on a Eric Clapton strat for a little bit now and as an individual artist have always enjoyed playing Fenders guitars that are....lets say a little unique in some way. Chipped up, fine.....swapped pickups,,,,,,sure.....mix and matched neck to bodies....thats cool. But I recently broke my customary mold and picked up a Clapton artist series at G.C., and really dug it. So, found a N.O.S. on the net poped the $ and bought it. Am I guilty for loving this electronic boost thing!? Have I completely left the world of traditional, (old) world, wood tone, time tested principles of guitar orthodox? Stupid question I know... for some. But with the boost, and bold tones that come from this monster.... blow me away. I even like the diversity from the Tbx tone control. The noiseless pickups are super quiet. The neck is perfect for my hand and even changed the way I feel about my "non-clapton-neck"-guitars. So......am I alone here? How do you guys feel about this guitar. I understand theyre super popular. So, chime in....you guys are cool with tons of ideas. Thanks!

PICTURES

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

Your not alone in how you feel about the guitar. I got the CS EC LTD in daphne blue last year and have a hard time playin anything else and I have other CS guitars. The mid boost is great just makes soloing that much better. The necks are fantastic.

I've always wanted a shot on a Clapton Strat. My local shop has never had it in, so next time I'm away somewhere I'm going out a-Clapton-Strat hunting

That and a John Mayer strat. Those are the two I'd love a go on.

Funny you should mention a John Mayer.....I have one also. The problem I have is the neck on the Mayer is VERY chunky and thick.(nit and day from the E.C.) So, I ordered a Clapton neck from Warmoth. The E.C. has twice as much gain, just from plug in alone. Not even using the boost function. To the other post here, my friend who has a custom shop Clapton, Ive heard pros and cons as to whether a C.S. is worth the extra dough over the standard artist series. Have you played both? And did that convince you or did you just want an awesome guitar from the Fender Custom shop? Been considering myself!

To me and I had my share of none CS guitars I will never buy another guitar that is not made in the CS.

Pick up an Eric Johnson. Your mind will change.

1988 Clapton Strat owner here. It's a killer guitar.

I play my Clapton more than any other guitar in my stable... It just plain feels right

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I have a 2007 EC Artist Series Strat and it is my favorite. I have other nice guitars, but none as versatile. The TBX and Boost controls give so much variety, I never get bored. A compressor/sustainer is the only effect pedal I use most of the time.
My only complaint is the rough finish on the screw heads in the bent steel saddles. I smoothed most of the burrs with a file, but still keep a piece of electrical tape over them.
I've never owned a CS guitar, but I guess small details like this would not be an issue on them.

I have played the Eric Johnson strats and they are very nice as are the Vintage RI,s.

20 plus years ago, I worked in a music store, and had just gotten a Clapton Strat w/Lace Sensors in stock. Man, what a neck, what a sound. But, going through a divorce at the time, just couldn't buy it. Years later, and on my 40th birthday, my current wife bought me a brand new pewter EC Strat, with Lace Sensors. I just turned 56, and I still have the same guitar, and the same wife!

I had a chance to buy the E.C. Strat in candy green color on Ebay, but chickened out at the end, I'd like to find another on in this color, very cool.

I've got an NIB/unplayed JM BLK1 for sale, but it's on the wrong side of the pond from you...

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A bunch of Strats, some Gibsons, a couple clonewheels, a few Fender amps, various stompboxes

I Bought a candy green 1991 E.C. strat in 2003 and its by far my favourite

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Music is the spice of life

If only it were a smaller pond

I'm going down to Glasgow in a week or two (about 150 miles) to visit a guitar shop down there, its pretty big compared to any up where I am. I'm planning on having a good look at an EC strat, a standard strat and a deluxe. I think they also have one John Mayer signature strat in stock..... I'm pretty confident no matter what I'm going to walk away happy.

They give you a year to clear the payment so the extra £400 or so isn't as big a punch to the wallet as it otherwise would be