I've been spending a lot of time scanning ebay looking at Clapton Strats. I've played an artist series. I've never played a Custom Shop version. An artist series will basically run about $1,400. A Custom Shop version seem to start at $2,500 and go up from there. I don't see any difference in the specs, so the extra money would go totally for build quality. Has anyone played both and can comment on any differences. How do the vintage style frets compare to medium jumbo? Thanks

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

i have never owned a artist Clapton but i have had 2 Custom claptons and they are fantastic guitars---i had a Blackie and sold it to get my Antigua custom--both are awesome !!!! not much help but i beleive the customs are worth the extra--JMO

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

I think that you are paying for attention to detail. Also didn't that CS model remove the TBX tone pot?

The TBX is not present on the Masterbuilt EC Customs, Eric wasn't happy with the treble bleed circuit because of the muddy sound he got when he switched to the VNs in March 2000.

I'm not planning on getting a Masterbuild. The Custom Shop models mention the TBX, so I assume they all have it still.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue