I like this one very much.

I'd like to see them offer that Chromalusion paint as Custom Shop option finish.

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"Another day in paradise!"

This is an unauthorized colour.



Eric must approve the finish before the CS starts producing guitars in such shade of blue. Ditto for Tobacco Sunburst too.

The thought wasn't particular to the Signature guitar, but to a general option. They will build a guitar to customer specs as long as his signature is not required. I've already done that.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Not all "Strats" came with gold hardware.

Some few examples (especially the rosewood-neck Maui Blue shown in page 87 of the Electric Guitars Illustrated Encyclopedia) sported chrome-plated brass parts.

The guitar in question was used by Andy Fairweather-Low during the ARMS concert in 1983.

.....his preference for humbuckers on Stratocasters is interesting and seems to have long preceded Fenders introduction of those with the Big Apple guitars.{Wow...we are certainly getting far afield of my original post, aren't we.]

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"Another day in paradise!"

His Strats are generally fitted with single or dual humbuckers hooked into an active mid-boost circuit - except for the Fiesta Red guitar (used during Eric's Japanese tours in 2003) with the tuxedo ebony neck and matching headstock, which sported an HHH configuration with complex switching.

Details appreciated. Fender never made anything out of this modification of his, notwithstanding the fact that he's gone on with it for such a long time now. Maybe he wasn't interested in a deal.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Many of his Strats use three Gold Lace Sensor singles and the same circuit found on the early Clapton signatures. The last time I saw Andy playing an SSS Strat was at the Staples Center in 2001.

The guitar I'm talking about was finished in Sonic Blue and served as a backup to his main black dual humbucker axe.

Really, AFL deserves a signature guitar, too!

PS. I new saw him playing an Elite Strat....

I'll have a second look at my copy of the RAH ARMS Concert. It's b&w of course. I also have an abbreviated copy of the MSG-NY ARMS concert as well. Do you happen to know of the availability of the entire MSG-NY ARMS concert on video. Does it exist?

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"Another day in paradise!"

Did the blue Elite guitar was also been used at the ARMS concert?

The guitars seen on the videos are the Gibson Explorer [not the cutoff], maybe the Brownie, and the Blackie. I have to review this. Maybe on the flight to FL Friday morning next...so you'll have to wait until I can get back to you on that unless you or someone else confirms it before me. Definitely did not see the Elite in any of these. That guitar would go 'boing' to anyone with eyes.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Brownie and Blackie were both present on the ARMS concerts. Same for the Gibson Explorer you've already mentioned.

For the slide repertoire, EC played the Daphne Blue Giffin Strat.



This guitar was subsequently used for the BEHIND THE SUN world tours in 1985.

Eric probably missed the Daphne Blue Giffin Strat replica and wanted having one of his personal guitars finished in the same colour as the aforementioned guitar.

I have been seeing posts about the "ChromaLusion" Strat. I do not feel there is or should be any 'authorization' by Clapton (the best player ever!) needed for Fender to produce a custom order. His guitar was painted by another person and given to him as a gift (only). He did not request this from Fender. When ChromaLusion was just in it's sales testing stage I was given 3 pints of "Blasberry" by DuPont (I was a refinisher / body shop manager at the time). I refinished my custom Pontiac Fiero AND my Strat as a "set" for car shows (Fiero also has "STRAT" vanity plates, Amp built in to the 'trunk', and Strat etched in the back glass). I painted my Strat approx. 15 years ago and it still looks and sounds gorgeous. If there is any 'authorization' issue I feel it should have to come from me, due to I came up with the design two years prior to Clapton getting his 'gift', have documentation (photos and awards w/dates) from car shows, and painted it prior to ChromaLusion even being for sale on the 'shelf'.
ChromaLusion is simply an automotive paint and sells today for $1,100.00 (shop cost) per quart. Does not crack or react with the factory finish, and hardness of auto paint works great for 'bar use'. It's not a 'magic' paint just very expensive. There are other manufacturers that sell 'similar' product at a cheaper cost, but DuPont ChromaLusion shifts 7 colors, and others only shift up to 5. DO NOT use the 'spray bomb' that Duplacolor has in stores! You will be VERY unhappy with the results. I have many drummers and guitar players try this, and come to me to fix and refinish with ChromaLusion.

Interesting post. You sure took your time for your first post. Welcome aboard Blasberry Strat.