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Post subject: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thing or
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:14 am
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Hello one and all. I'm a bit disappointed this is my first post on here but I'm hoping someone can help please...

Background:
A relative of mine has been attending guitar lessons with some bloke, who in my opinion, has a lot of 'tall stories' to tell about his so called past involvement with high profile artists. More worryingly, this said teacher also somehow manages to track down 'antique' guitars from notable artists and makers for re-sale.

My suspicions began when my relative was offered a Fender Stratocaster that had apparently been custom built for Eric Clapton who had subsequently rejected it for reasons unknown. The guitar was passed to my relative to test and mull over the option of making the purchase. When I called round to my relative's house to take a look I was even more suspicious - there was no proper serial number - anywhere on the guitar and there was no provenance to substantiate the seller's claims. The price tag was indeed too good to be true. It was my opinion that such a marque of distinction would fetch considerably more money - even if it had been rejected by Mr Clapton. Needless to say my relative ignored my concerns and bought the guitar for a lot of money!

(Even more frustrating, my relative has now gone and bought another guitar off this teacher - a Supro Resonator guitar! Which, as you've probably guessed is another suspect item.)

In each case these guitars have been hyped up with romantic tales tied in with a few credible facts for good measure and a price tag that's too good to be true. The other problem I have is that my relative thinks the sun shines out of this teacher's rear end!

The query:
Which brings me on to why I'm here. I have provided below a link to some photographs of the Strat in question. I would very much appreciate people's opinion on this as to whether it is the real thing or not please. I need to stop my relative's impulse buying - especially if a third 'guitar' comes along...

Your help will be gratefully received! I look forward to any responses.

Many thanks

Gary

https://picasaweb.google.com/105499511662658888949/FenderStratocasterFake?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLzlkriyptuD3AE&feat=directlink


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:26 am
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Hi Gary and welcome to the forum.
I would call that F-F-F-Fakenstrat all the way. Nothing is original.

Cheers,
Robin

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:39 am
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Hi Robin - thank you for the welcome and the reply - it's much appreciated.

All the best

Gary


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:00 am
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There's a saying in certain collector's circles,"Buy the _______,and not the story"...you fill in the blank with the item whether it is a guitar or gun or whatever.
Unfortunately,those tall tales sell a lot of fraudulent guitars. :(


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:19 am
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it looks pretty cool, however a partsocaster.
the neck looks like a vintage modern warmoth birdseye neck with a black corian nut and
a fatback, 22 frets, and no truss rod adjustment at the heel. there isnt a hint of v neck to that. which is eric claptons preference.
i hope he got a good deal.

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:01 am
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... but still, it's a very beautiful guitar. What's going on with the G-string saddle?

Cheers

David

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:04 am
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The body could be from a Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton strat. If not, the maker made a very good job of copying the battery compartment cut out.

The neck however is not a Fender. The headstock shape is wrong, the logo is wrong. The letter E looks to be too sharp on the upper line to be a post CBS Fender.
Then there is the lack of walnut plug on the headstock and skunkstripe. If the guitar has a truss rod, that means the fretboard is a maple cap. Clapton is not noted for wanting maple cap fretboards.
Also if you look at the back of the neck, where the neck shapes into the headstock. The point of the V shape is quite off center. Meaning the neck shape is asymmetrical. Something that I've never seen on any other Fender guitar.
Finally the shape of the fretboard at the body end is the wrong shape.

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:48 am
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nikininja wrote:
The body could be from a Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton strat. If not, the maker made a very good job of copying the battery compartment cut out.

The neck however is not a Fender. The headstock shape is wrong, the logo is wrong. The letter E looks to be too sharp on the upper line to be a post CBS Fender.
Then there is the lack of walnut plug on the headstock and skunkstripe. If the guitar has a truss rod, that means the fretboard is a maple cap. Clapton is not noted for wanting maple cap fretboards.
Also if you look at the back of the neck, where the neck shapes into the headstock. The point of the V shape is quite off center. Meaning the neck shape is asymmetrical. Something that I've never seen on any other Fender guitar.
Finally the shape of the fretboard at the body end is the wrong shape.

You have got a good eye. Ever consider being a private detective? I'm not joking. Your attention to detail is superb.

I probably would have been able to figure out that the neck is not Fender but I never would've been able to specifically pinpoint six discrepancies.

Catching that e on the logo is amazing. And I didn't see a thing wrong with the headstock shape till you mentioned it. I still had to compare it side by side with one of my guitars to see the differences. Then it was obvious.

I may never buy another guitar without first getting your analysis.

Cheers

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:54 pm
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Honestly, it's not that I'm attentive to detail. Just that I'm really anal about Strats. :oops:

But thanks for the compliment. And yes it's been a secret ambition of mine to be a private detective. Basically because I'm very nosey and suspicious of everything. Plus I've a liking for pulling my hat brim down with my raincoat collar turned up. And usually have a half empty bottle of cheapo gutrot scotch handy.

MHowell, did you ever consider becoming an analyst or psychiatrist cos you've summed me up with two paragraphs to work with.

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:18 pm
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nikininja wrote:
Honestly, it's not that I'm attentive to detail. Just that I'm really anal about Strats. :oops:

But thanks for the compliment. And yes it's been a secret ambition of mine to be a private detective. Basically because I'm very nosey and suspicious of everything. Plus I've a liking for pulling my hat brim down with my raincoat collar turned up. And usually have a half empty bottle of cheapo gutrot scotch handy.

MHowell, did you ever consider becoming an analyst or psychiatrist cos you've summed me up with two paragraphs to work with.


You would make a perfect private dick in a film noir movie. :P


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:05 am
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Yep thats my goal.
Maltese Falcon all the way.
Though I look a bit silly wandering around Selly Oak dressed like Humphrey Bogart.

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:16 am
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Thank you all for the comments - it really is appreciated. It is my intention to point out all the issues raised in this thread to my relative - just got to find the right time...

All the best

Gary


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:26 am
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Sooner better than later in my experience Gal.

You may want to find your relative another teacher too. Someone with a shred of decency about them would be a good place to start.
You'll get good results asking around the local instrument shops.

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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:46 am
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@nikininja - thank you for the detailed analysis and the advice about getting a new teacher. I'm actually thinking of visiting some of the local shops to see if they've heard of this guy.

Anyway, about the guitar - after some investigations I thought the body could've been a japanese fender... I did have reservations about the neck, headstock and tuning pegs. Other factors which don't seem right to me include the dated signature on the neck, there's also a number stamp - '138' which seems tacky. The welding in the back compartment seems a little unprofessional. I too have reservations about the logo on the headstock - the 'original contour body' sticker isn't straight in comparison to real Strats that feature that logo on the headstock.

Gary


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Post subject: Re: Custom built (reject) Eric Clapton Strat - the real thin
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:23 am
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Make sure that you say it as a doubt, not a certainty. You don't want your relative to get too defensive and protective. It's going to shake up his belief system.

Cheers

David

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