Hi guys (ladies)..I purchased a new Clapton Signature series strat almost a month ago, from a large guitar retailer...At the time of purchase the pick guard was noticeably warped, and large circular yellow spots when the plastic was removed at the store...They say they ordered me a new pick guard for the guitar, which I have no doubt did so..The dilemma for me is, in four days, the 30 day return period will have expired, and they they ave not yet received the pick guard...It is a minor cosmetic issue, and my leverage is about to expire,the guitar sounds and plays great...What should I do....????

I would you paid for a new guitar the pickguard should not be warped

How well do you like this particular Clapton? If you really love the guitar, then I would keep it and wait for the new pickguard as you never know if you're going to get a replacement that you like as well. Of course, playing devil's advocate you could also wind up with a replacement you like better than the one you have.

Also I would hazard a guess that at least 30%-40% of all the Clapton Strats I've ever seen in stores have some degree of pickguard warping - frankly that's why Fender went from 1-ply pickguards with 8 holes to 3-ply pickguards with 11 holes back in the day.

If it is a large retail store you have the leverage a single ply pickguard is readily available. and if this guitar is the player the pickguard is non issue I would think.
Your choice.
Cheers

Welcome to the forum.

Personally I would ask for an entirely new guitar. These things are expensive enough and the dealer makes his fair share on the deal. Why should you have a guitar that isn't 'as it left the factory'.
Someone else has probably rejected it at the store and you get to pick up the pieces.

I had made up my mind to return Saturday (Oct 13th), but received a call last night that the pick guard came in...Ill bring my receipt, if its not right, Ill return it...Thanks ALL..!!

OK....This is an example of not knowing what you bought....
There is nothing wrong with the original pick guard, that is what an 8 hole " One ply " pickguard will do. They all do this minor warping, it is not a quality issue.
Returning the guitar as if it was defective is nonsense.

The EC Strat is based on a Stratocaster from the early sixties which still had One ply guards.
This Strat. is a signature model, thus it follows the original form that it was copied from....
As the original was, so is this copy series. Warts and all.
I have played both, the Custom Shop Blackie and one of these signature series are both very nice, the CS of course much nicer but I do not have the liquidity to spend $25,000 on a Custom Shop.
However the signature is a good buy....
Keep it as is, Don't change it. If you don't like it than trade it in for a different model but the E.C. Model is as it should be....Period..

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

...and the yellow blotches?

I must be lucky, the single ply PG on my EC is just fine.

The pick guard on my EC is fine also but its a CS. However the single ply p/g on my Jimmy Vaughan is warped and has been since day 1 but I don,t bother me none.

The warping issue I was aware of as it is 1 ply, however, it was so bad you could have dropped a pick in there...The yellowed circles were pretty ugly..In any event...The new pick guard is as flat as my first girlfriend with no yellowing...Happy camper....I kept it !!
Again, I thank you for your thoughts and opinions....

Now that's rough!

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You dig?

Gee...Thanks for the visual.........

As far as the yellow blotches, that also is a result of the 1 ply pick guards composition and the effects of UV rays hitting it thru a window.
Personally I accept a guitar with how it is when I acquire it.
Of course I will set it up to my preference but if it is an older guitar or a specific time model, I will leave it as is.
If over time it doesn't work for me than it is time for it to move on to the next person who may be more receptive.

I understand buying a specific sig. model because of the perceived cache.....
However if there are specs that don't work for you than it is simply not the right instrument for you.....
Instrument is the keyword here, not investment or collection or whatever.

It's ironic that this E.C. model would be considered defective whereas if one reads Clapton's interview's and purpose and reasoning behind his choice of guitars, It is obvious that he adapts to his instruments and thusly this gives hime a distinctive voice each time......

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Just looked at the spec sheet - didn't mention yellow blotches or warped PG

Mine has neither

I was refering to the sig model's specs not the pickguards shortcomings....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

That's great that it was replaced.
Yeah, my 57 hr single ply pick guard had a little warping on it too,
I replaced it with a black 3 ply.
I might put the white one back on, as I do miss the look.
I've looked for manufacturers that make a 3 ply parchment
or white 8 hole that fit the 57.

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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