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Post subject: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:21 am
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Hey guys, new to the forum but hoping to get some insight on my newest Strat purchase. I purchased what was listed as a 1989 Clapton "Blackie" start. Serial number on headstock checks out as 1989 signature signature edition with both clapton signature and "Blackie" on headstock. Black body with lace pickups and midrange boost. I have done some research and from what I have seen the Blackie edition was not available in 89 so I am wondering what I might have here. The guitar both sounds and plays like a dream (superior to my 02 delux and 86 American standard) and didn't break the bank to purchase so I really am not going to loose any sleep if it has been painted black, just a little curious as to its origin.
SN is: SE 910710 if that helps

Thanks in advance

Jonathan


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:44 am
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There's no problem with it, 1989 Eric Clapton Blackie:

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/18782/1989-Fender-Eric-Clapton-quotBlackiequot-Signature-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar---Used/


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:23 pm
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Well Fender is right - there were no black Clapton Strats until 1991.

That being said you can't go by just reading the serial number on these - like a lot of other serial number "anomalies" Fender wound up using serial numbers for the Artist Series guitars that started with "SE9" for several years - they ran from some time in mid-late 1989 through at least some time in 1992. Remember they didn't have that many Artist Signature models back then - so it took them a while to use up the decals.

The Music Zoo is a well respected dealer; I'm sure that they are just going by the prefix on the serial number and they haven't taken it apart to check on actual body and neck dates.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:55 pm
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John C wrote:
The Music Zoo is a well respected dealer; I'm sure that they are just going by the prefix on the serial number and they haven't taken it apart to check on actual body and neck dates.

John...As loyal customer of The Zoo when I lived in Suffolk County, NY I can agree to your support of their veracity however, the guitar purchased by the OP is not the one in The Zoo ad. It appears that the ad was posted for validation that a Blackie might have an SE9 number. I agree with your observation regarding Fender SN's. My '89 Pewter has an SE9 ending in the low 3 digits but the neck end date is early '90. The OP would do best to pull the neck off and photograph the neck end and the neck pocket for any identifying dates or signatures for his records. In addition http://www.consumerrelations@fender.com may be able to tell him when his guitar was actually assembled.

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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:08 pm
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Yea, I just posted this just to show he doesnt have the only 89 Blackie out there.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:28 pm
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Um - but that's my point - it isn't really a 1989 black Clapton; it is a real Clapton Strat in black finish that could have been made any time between late 1989 when they started using that set of decals and 1992 or even early 1993. And since they didn't make them in black until 1991 it is most likely from 1991 until that end date for using the SE9 decals.

Fender doesn't have records going back past 1993 so they may or may not have this one - off the top of my head I just don't remember if the SE9 decals continued into 1993 and if they did for how long.

It's exactly like saying an American Standard with an "E4xxxxx" serial number is a 1984 when we know it can't be.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:50 pm
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John C wrote:
Um - but that's my point - it isn't really a 1989 black Clapton; it is a real Clapton Strat in black finish that could have been made any time between late 1989 when they started using that set of decals and 1992 or even early 1993. And since they didn't make them in black until 1991 it is most likely from 1991 until that end date for using the SE9 decals.

Your point was well made, as usual. With that in mind, the date on the neck end will be most interesting.

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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:20 pm
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As stated before, you can't go just on serial numbers. Take the guitar apart and look under the pick guard. It should have a large compartment for the mid-range boost kit and 3 routes for the pickups, all of which should be painted.

Also look under the neck and neck joint. There will dates letting you know when the parts were produced. For example, my 2001 Candy Green EC Strat has 2000 serial number. The neck and body have Oct & Nov 2000 dates. Here is the odd thing. I personally ordered the guitar in late January 2001 and received the guitar in late Feruary 2001.

Pictures help.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:58 pm
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Production of the regular artist signature "Blackies" started officially in 1991, however it's important to note that Eric began using the Custom Shop versions during the second half of 1990.

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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:04 pm
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Thanks for the info guys. I will pull the pick guard and neck off the next time I change strings and see what I can find.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:16 pm
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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:28 pm
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The pickguard is an 11-hole mother of pearl mod, not stock issue, which should be 8-hole, single ply, white. Not really a big deal. The dates would be more interesting.

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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:08 pm
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John C wrote:
Um - but that's my point - it isn't really a 1989 black Clapton; it is a real Clapton Strat in black finish that could have been made any time between late 1989 when they started using that set of decals and 1992 or even early 1993. And since they didn't make them in black until 1991 it is most likely from 1991 until that end date for using the SE9 decals.

Fender doesn't have records going back past 1993 so they may or may not have this one - off the top of my head I just don't remember if the SE9 decals continued into 1993 and if they did for how long.

It's exactly like saying an American Standard with an "E4xxxxx" serial number is a 1984 when we know it can't be.


As always, +1 JohnC

By the way....the serial on the Music Zoo SN8954647 is a 1998. S=Signature N=nineties ( but actually completed in March of 1999).
S=Signature E=eighties
Music Zoo is a good and conscientous dealer, (and good folks as well!) but they were either mis-informed or perhaps the numbers got reversed.

John is right.....93 is about it. (sometimes 92 if we're lucky on lookups)

All the best,
rob

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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:44 pm
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I had noticed the pickguard. Mainly because there is one screw at the bottom that is missing and there is no hole in the body for the missing screw so I began looking at pics and noticed the difference in pickguards. Not sure why they didn't drill a hole for that one. Or perhaps the other screws for the extra holes are just screw heads glued in to make it look complete and that one had just fallen out. Either way I didn't buy this guitar as a case/collector piece. I bought it because it's the best playing and sounding Strat I have seen and want to use it as my main guitar for shows. I only paid $850 out the door at a guitar center taxes and all so I feel like it was a solid purchase.


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Post subject: Re: Eric Clapton Strat identification help
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:04 pm
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Jon52781 wrote:
I had noticed the pickguard. Mainly because there is one screw at the bottom that is missing and there is no hole in the body for the missing screw so I began looking at pics and noticed the difference in pickguards. Not sure why they didn't drill a hole for that one. Or perhaps the other screws for the extra holes are just screw heads glued in to make it look complete and that one had just fallen out. Either way I didn't buy this guitar as a case/collector piece. I bought it because it's the best playing and sounding Strat I have seen and want to use it as my main guitar for shows. I only paid $850 out the door at a guitar center taxes and all so I feel like it was a solid purchase.


Good purchase. The EC Strats are great guitars. Replacing the pickguard wouldn't be hard to do. Enjoy!


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