I recently sold a Custom Shop Clapton Signature Guitar which I had bought about a year ago on ebay. Now the new owner gave the guitar back because the instrument's body has a warmoth imprint. Some internet sources say that warmoth bodies are sometimes used by Fender in the Custom Shop Section.
Is that true?

You might want to ask Mike Eldred that question, but before you do make sure your info is not just hearsay and is from a credible source.
That is a question that if wrong could get you inflammed...

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

No it's not true. Fender Custom Shop get the pick of the lumber. Which they carve themselves.

Sounds to me like you got ripped off a year ago. Or the new buyer has transplanted the body for a Warmoth.
Either way, I'm sorry to read of your troubles.

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No no and no

Thanks for your replies...I will send the guitar to Fender Germany to make sure which parts are Original and which not. The instrument sounds great nevertheless. I never thought there could be sth wrong with it.

warmoth is a licensed aftermarket shop.
i agree with nikininja.

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

ouch mate thats harsh.... although well done for being a man about it and taking it back. Unlike every other dodgey internet seller.

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My Rig: Guitar into Pedals then into Amps and out into Speakers.

OP...Was there a signed Certificate of Authenticity with that Strat and did you initially buy it with the correct case and case candy that is part and parcel of a CS Clapton Strat....
Did you run the serial number thru Fender before committing...???

I find it strange that you sold the Strat, then agreed to take it back without making sure that it was indeed the same guitar.

Either way this reaffirms to me as to why I will never buy a supposedly Custom Shop Strat on E-Bay unless there would be assurance to look it over thoroughly and have all of it's parts accounted for before money was sent....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Today I got the result of an expert's check. The complete guitar is faked, some of the mechanical parts are Fender, the pickups are Fender - all labels are faked.
So watch out if you're looking for a Clapton and don't be so stupid as I was believing in all musician's honesty
Thanks for your advice!

Hi Am.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Sorry about the bad news mate. Falsifiers are infuriating.
I hope you get the real Strat you are looking for, don´t give up just now.
Good luck!

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FIGHT!

So then I take it you had bought this on someone's word and had not checked with Fender to see if the serial number parts checked out...?

Unless you know the seller very well and/or the shop a serial check should be mandatory and without thinking twice for any guitar that is claimed to be a Custom Shop.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I read this for the first time today, and soon as I read the first post I knew the guitar was a Clapton partscaster. Just like what Niki said. Fender would never go to Warmoth and get a body for their Custom Shop guitars. Warmoth makes great bodies but Fender would never do that. Sorry you got ripped.

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Hearing these types of stories lets me know that I will never buy an expensive guitar on ebay. Sorry that people like this ruin the chances that others will want to purchase anything on ebay.

It stinks you got ripped off but it sounds like some quality part and put together well its still a good guitar. Nothing wrong with a good partsocaster.

It's not so much that as it is sight unseen, or worse unplayed. The E-Bay factor has removed a critical part of purchasing a musical instrument.
It has to be inspected, played then and only then can a decision be made on wether to purchase, pass, or renegotiate for a different price.

No reason to not go thru that process wether it be a Guarneri Violin or a Fender Custom Shop Strat.
With the former, there are plenty of reputable people who will inspect a prized instrument and render verdict on wether to buy or pass.
A $2000.00 Strat should not be any different. Finding a true CS for a too good to be true, must not be passed up price is exactly that.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I've bought quite a few guitars on eBay and I have never been disappointed. For every bogus seller, there are hundreds of legitimate sellers - you just have to be careful every time and do a little homework. If it sounds too good to be true, or if the seller won't post a decent pic of the headstock, just walk away. I look for high feedback with no negatives and I frequently read feedback before bidding - that's what it's there for.

As far as taking back an instrument that you sold on eBay, be advised that everything on eBay now favors the BUYER! Especially if PayPal is involved! Sellers can't even give buyers bad feedback anymore - they have to let eBay do the spanking.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963