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Post subject: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:45 pm
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When Xhefri visited me 18 mos ago, we both were puzzled at the circuitry of the first Eric Clapton Signature Series guitar, which has a mode switch which allows the player to select active or passive playing. I had the guitar serviced and set up by a tech who knows his pots and resisters rather well. He also had, at his disposal, the wiring diagram for that guitar which can be found in A.R.Duchossior's book 'The Fender Stratocaster'. This guitar's circuit is wired such that, in passive mode, signal feeds only through the TBX. The volume pot and the MDX gain pots are silent. Guitar volume is controlled at the amp. In active mode, the guitar functions in the same fashioin as the final production model. All pots are active in their assigned functions; volume, TBX, and DBX gain. Xhefri and I conclude that the reason for the remove of the mode switch had less to do with Clapton's preference for playing active all the time, as Duchossoir states, and more to do with that idiotic circuit.

I suspect that your curiosity having been raised as to how and why Fender might have opted to wire the guitar as such and if, indeed that were the case, I have posted a link to a website where you can review the career credentials of the tech who serviced my guitar and an equally competent colleague of his. Once on the website, go to about us scroll down to Gary Phillips on the left side of the screen.

In addition, I want you all to know that I have had several communications with Fender and there is nothing whatsoever in their archives with respect to the R&D project that led to the production of this first of its kind, Signature Series instrument which was so proudly heralded in 1987. The best they could do is verify that one of the sets of initials on the neck end did indeed belong to a factory employee in 1987 in that there is someone working there still who remembers him.

'Not to be believed!" is the working commentary here. We know that FMIC's record keeping was for the pits, but THIS guitar. You would think they'd saved every bit of scrap paper containing every idea, in a file for posterity.


http://www.graefedesigns.com

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:37 pm
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Sort of like trying to pinpoint who built a Jaguar XKE...
I wished I could have seen this thread when the Clapton guitar was at Empire guitars in Providence. Would have loved to have played it and seen the difference. On another note, the David Gilmour is still there waiting to be adopted. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:41 pm
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ZZDOC...very interesting about the circuit. It certainly seems you and X have figured that one out!

I also find it hard to believe that Fender would not keep all the minutia of paperwork when this guitar was the first time Fender had ever done a signature model, especially considering we're talking Eric Clapton here. Makes me wonder if the paperwork is somewhere in Scottsdale stuck in some folder somewhere and only some secretary or administrative type knows of it's where abouts? Maybe one day we'll find out.

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:03 pm
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Doc would the one who must not be named ( M.E. ) have some illuminating insight to this :idea: :?:

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:10 pm
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ZZDoc wrote:
We know that FMIC's record keeping was for the pits, but THIS guitar. You would think they'd saved every bit of scrap paper containing every idea, in a file for posterity.


Perhaps it was, but those people or persons are no longer working
for the company and 'somehow' forgot to leave the documents behind
as they were being escorted from their long time surroundings....we will
really never know.

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:11 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
Doc would the one who must not be named ( M.E. ) have some illuminating insight to this :idea: :?:

That I would not know. If I were going to a source such as that, it would be John Page, because the guitar was built in the newly minted Custom Shop and Page had oversight of it in 1987. How involved he was in the R&D of the design of the circuitry for that model we don't know. We'd have to find out, possibly through him, who was.

Personally, I'd hate to bug him about this. He's got enough fish to fry launching his new guitar. It would be far more useful to find another owner. My tech told me that he's handled a few of these and he's been asked to rewire them to make them more versatile. I told him I wanted to keep it as stock as I could. So, having the the wiring diagram courtesy of Duchossoir's book, any interested party is capable of seeking a second opinion.

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:29 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
ZZDoc wrote:
We know that FMIC's record keeping was for the pits, but THIS guitar. You would think they'd saved every bit of scrap paper containing every idea, in a file for posterity.


Perhaps it was, but those people or persons are no longer working
for the company and 'somehow' forgot to leave the documents behind
as they were being escorted from their long time surroundings....we will
really never know.


+1

If so, it serves FMIC right for being so quick to cashier the past and those souls who made it all possible.

One supposes that since Mr. Clapner has now entered the "golden years" of his life that they'll toss him (and manufacture of his signature guitar) under the bus as well.

:evil:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:59 pm
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ZZDoc wrote:
53magnatone wrote:
Doc would the one who must not be named ( M.E. ) have some illuminating insight to this :idea: :?:

That I would not know. If I were going to a source such as that, it would be John Page, because the guitar was built in the newly minted Custom Shop and Page had oversight of it in 1987. How involved he was in the R&D of the design of the circuitry for that model we don't know. We'd have to find out, possibly through him, who was.

Personally, I'd hate to bug him about this. He's got enough fish to fry launching his new guitar. It would be far more useful to find another owner. My tech told me that he's handled a few of these and he's been asked to rewire them to make them more versatile. I told him I wanted to keep it as stock as I could. So, having the the wiring diagram courtesy of Duchossoir's book, any interested party is capable of seeking a second opinion.


My understanding is that Duchossoir's book has pretty solid information. there's also a bit in the Strat Chronicles https://books.google.com/books?id=za1MQ9gITagC&pg=PA222&lpg=PA222&dq=john+page,+eric+clapton&source=bl&ots=K54hVTYUxr&sig=iZWfONyD-aAnt4bVQ59GGVuEnnA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=L0EjVa3wMYnysAWk9IKYBA&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=john%20page%2C%20eric%20clapton&f=false by Tom Wheeler that reviews a bit of the story as well.
My own small recollection is that Dan (Smith) and Clapton had quite a bit of back and forth conversation and experimentation during that time. One of my good (though fuzzy) memories is Dan letting me tag along to the Forum in Inglewood to see Clapton ( Phil Collins on drums, and touring with Robert Cray band ---and briefly met David Gilmour outside! cool) and show him some guitars to evaluate. Hard to document that kind of stuff really....its filed under tribal knowledge. Sounds to me (with my limited knowledge) like you're on the right track.
cheers,
rob

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:52 pm
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FRR34 wrote:
My understanding is that Duchossoir's book has pretty solid information.

Yah! I had been running around in circles looking for a schematic, even inquiring of Consumer Relations. They contacted the Custom Shop to no avail. They were kind enough to send me the upgrade wiring diagram which was uselss of course. Out of frustration, I wrote to Dirk Wacker who writes a column for Premier Guitar entitled 'Mod Garage". He clued me to the fact that the wiring diagram in Duchossoir's book was indeed the original including the mode switch. Dang! I'd had it in my library for years. I copied that page and took that schematic to my tech. When I called for the guitar today, we went over its operation. When I asked how it was that in passive mode everything but the TBX was silent, he highlighted the circuit running from the pickup selector switch to the mode switch to the to the output jack when the mode switch is in the open position. It effectively bypasses everything but the TBX pot. Volume needs to be adjusted from the amp when in that mode. When the mode switch is closed, it cuts in the preamp mother board and brings all components into the circuit because the several wires run from the board to their respective pots, pups and selector switch. I wondered aloud why they would wire a guitar like that in passive mode. He suggested...to preserve the 3 pot circuit. To provide for a complete passive circuit, additional pots would have been needed or something like the S-1 switching system of the present era.



It's interesting that you were at that 'show and tell' with Clapton documented in two separate narratives. Do you have any memory of the particulars of the guitar designs you offered him, what his impressions were, and what you left with to carry forward.?

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:31 pm
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I literally was along for the ride Doc lol. There were like 4 levels of backstage there. Forum club---"backstage"- "all access"...etc. I got as far as Robert Crays dressing room and hung with them for a bit. I remember Dan coming back from Clapton's room and telling me that Joan Collins looked a bit irritated when he went in and she didn't. ;O) It took about 2 hours from outside to inside too...
I don't think that I peeked at those particular proto's (last minute...heading out the door-- invite).
Mehhhhmmories.....
cheers,
rob

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 1:33 am
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FRR34 wrote:
I literally was along for the ride Doc......

Well, thanks for the memories. :wink: Maybe John Page has some too. :)

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 2:50 am
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By meaning Phase 1 you're referring to the '87 Torino Red prototype.

The Phase 2 would likely be your trusty '89 Pewter.


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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 4:13 am
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chromeface wrote:
By meaning Phase 1 you're referring to the '87 Torino Red prototype.
The Phase 2 would likely be your trusty '89 Pewter.

Correct. Although, to be fair, the question has been raised as to whether the 'red' was an early production model which went out the door before the final upgrades were done. Fender cannot verify dates on this guitar because of what we've already commented on with respect to their record keeping. Quite honestly, I'm weary of knocking on their heaven's door. I'm satisfied that my tech is knowledgeable enough, and has handled several of these guitars before, to be able to look at a wiring diagram and trace out for me what the signal path is with the circuit in passive mode. I have no idea what they were thinking when they came up with this idea of two silent pots in passive mode. I'm hoping that John Page may be of help in this regard. If he is kind enough to respond with some useful information, I will pass it along. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:45 am
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Subsequent to writing my last post I received an email from John Page. He had nothing to contribute from any personal involvement in the project but gave me two names of people who had been involved in designing the circuits. I will endeavor to reach them. In my 'thankyou' reply to John I expanded a bit as to what the issue was. Perhaps he will reply.

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Post subject: Re: Phase 1 Eric Clapton Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:17 am
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James Demeter and John Carruthers, perhaps?

Paul Gagon was the man behind the TBX/MDX circuits from what I recall; there are also other folks involved in the development of the concept: Bob Eggler, Chip Todd, Dan Smith, Charlie Gressett, George Blanda and Roger Cox.


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