So, I am currently visting the US (for 1 year), and I'd like to buy a nice guitar before heading back home.

First some background: I have 2 guitars back there, a Les Paul custom 58 VOS, and a 92 Fender Floyd Rose classic (which was my first real guitar).

While here, I bought a used PRS Santana SE, just so I'll have something to play with, but I am getting rather sick of it, and I decided to buy a classic Stratocaster.

I play mostly Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, some blues, Jazz, GNR, Metallica. Not really into heavy metal. By far my favorite player is David Gilmour.

Not sure what to get. I am thinking either the Eric Clapton or Eric Johnson fender, and then potentially do the Gilmour modification. Alternatively, I can go with a 57 reissue, and start with that, or even a MIJ.

What would you guys suggest? Money is not really an object, but I don't feel the need to spend $3,000+ on a guitar simply because it says David Gilmour. Many people say that the EC custom is the most versetile strat out there due to the mid boost. Any one can comment on how close it can get to a Gilmour tone?

Better to try some guitars in a store , after you come here and ask. Too many models ....Sure you won't like some you'll try .

personally if i got a clapton or eric johnson model i wouldn't make any mods to it...i would go with either MIA or MIM strat and make mods to those...just my opinion.

Just about any American Standard with maple neck & appropriate mods will give you the EC Signature or Gilmour Relic sounds...
Or to be exact, get you as close to those sounds as is possible with the guitar - the whole sound chain and especially the player have "some" effect on the sound, too.

Actually, I don't think the real question is this. Since you say money is not the key factor, go with your gut feeling. Visit the shops, play as many Strats as you like, and when you just know you're playin one that screams "take me home" to you, buy that one.

More the player fingers and amp with any standard good guitar .

Don't quite get your aim, stratele52 - in my text some in quotes and followed by a wink reads that IMHO the player is the key factor in producing the sound.

This is, again IMHO, especially true with Stratocasters, which I consider to be the ultimate allround electric guitar even without modding.

You disagree..?

I totally agree with you.

It makes s a lot of sense to try many guitars at the store before buying.
That being said, unmod, which signature guitar gets closer to DG sound, EJ or EC?
And given that I don't need 100% exact DG sound, but instead a great all around fender, what's the best strategy?

IMO ,with basic good gear, study DG , EC technics, practice , practice.

501st member?

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2012 FSR American Special Satin Honeyburst Stratocaster®

Haven't played a Johnson, but the Clapton Signature bends to just about anything - so from those two I'd choose that for Gilmouring.

The best strategy (= what I'd do and IMHO), would be to get an American Standard, model #0113002706 (black with maple neck & fretboard), and have it rewired with something like these. (Actually, I'd try to find a second hand Strat, preferably with the neck already yellowed...).

There are three pages on/off topic of the Gilmour Black Strat here with some good links.

And still one point: The Black isn't the only guitar Gilmour uses - and he sounds like himself with all his guitars, electric or acoustic...

Hello, I buy a MIM classic 50s because I can change what I want on it but apart from the pick-up, I did not change anything else and yet I play a varied repertoire

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Sorry for my english, not good, i am of the country of Molière, Hugo, Zola ...

Looks like I'll be going down the shopping/testing spree.
I'd love to find a used one, since it will have a bit more character. Ideally, I'd find one with flamed neck - these make me drool.

If it wil be an eric clapton, I'll change the pick up guard to black, since I don't like the black/white combo. White/White is perfct, or sunburst. As long as it is a maple, smooth V neck. I'd be happy.

Now I just want to hear the mid boost of the EC, to see if it's worth it, and if so, I'll probably go with that since I am not too much of a modder.

I'll ask again... 501st member?

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2012 FSR American Special Satin Honeyburst Stratocaster®

You ask that to who ?