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Post by james2112 on Oct 1, 2006 4:52:25 GMT -7
Has anyone out there played a Fender Clapton Custom Shop (team built). I am thinking about getting one, so I want to know of any pros or cons. Thanks, James
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Post by texasjack on Oct 1, 2006 13:20:45 GMT -7
I've tried/owned a few of the signature guitars . Make sure you like it before you buy . One thing for certain it will not make you sound like Clapton .
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 12, 2006 23:07:52 GMT -7
I played one recently, but it's not Custom Shop, it's the American made production signature model. Sells for about 2G. ?? Is this the one you mean? This is NOT Blackie!! It's a nondescript thing that leaves me very disappointed. Noiseless PU's sounded dead, no blocked trem, truss rod adjusted at neck, crazy stuff for a Clapton guitar to contain. And that midrange boosted crap? That's not what the public is looking for. Clapton should get Fender to once and for all do a properly endorsed version of a GREAT guitar that he was known to play. Do a recreation of "Brownie", the 56/58 mongrel that he recorded " Layla" with, or his ever loved "Blackie" the 57/59 mongrel that was TRULY his signature guitar for so many wonderful years. Clapton is one of my favorite guitarists, but he's a strange dude sometimes. One day he'll show up with a crazy paint job on a Strat, and the next day, he's back to a Signature series with no "Noiseless" stamp on PU's ( is he ashamed of it, who knows?) He owns 2 stunningly stellar original Marshall JTM-45's, the total sound of Crossroads, Born under a Bad Sign, etc...but he doenst use them for Cream's reunion concerts, and the tone suffered for it. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't stunning. When he ( Clapton) finally authorizes "Brownie" or " Blackie" to be faithfully recreated by a Master builder at Custom Shop ( John English...where are ya, buddy?) , they won't be able to build them fast enough even at around 4G a pop.
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Post by billyguitar on Oct 13, 2006 8:46:08 GMT -7
Clapton said in an interview that he and Jack both drug out their old Marshalls during Cream rehearsals. They both preferred their new gear. Bruce I can see but Clapton surprised me.
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Post by skydog958 on Oct 13, 2006 12:39:49 GMT -7
Well if he don't want 'em, I'll take 'em!
Although chance's are they'll be playing backup to my new SRZ ;D
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Post by quinto on Oct 13, 2006 18:04:05 GMT -7
I have a '96 model, but it's not from the custom shop. The custom shop ones are just a little bit nicer everywhere, to me anyway. The main thing is that the custom shop offers some other colors. I have enjoyed mine for 10 years now. I did get rid of the electronics 'cause one of the lace sensors freaked out on me. I put some Fralins in it and couldn't be happier. As for other aspects of the guitar such as the extra fret, 9.5" radius, headstock truss rod adjustment, those are all nice practical things in my opinion. These guitars were never meant to be exact replicas of Blackie. Improvements were requested by Eric for the signature model. They make 'em that way because that's how he likes them, and they are great guitars. I am sure that Fender sells a TON of them just the way they are. The custom shop is building 275 exact replicas of Blackie to be released on Nov. 24th. They are supposedly going to be $25,000 ea. If I was rich I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Here's a link for info on Eric's stuff. www.ericclaptonfaq.com/guitars-amps/
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Post by skydog958 on Oct 14, 2006 21:37:20 GMT -7
Cool info on the site, quinto!
It's a bit inconsistent though. In it's section about the Gibsons he used they completely forget to mention his Firebird I he used w/ Cream and Blind Faith (he plays it for "White Room" on the Farewell Cream DVD), and the Explorer he played in the 70s (including the mahogany one with the extra cut). They mention both in another section.
They also didn't mention the 3 pickup Black Beauty he used I think in the Cream era.
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Post by kc on Oct 14, 2006 23:26:27 GMT -7
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 15, 2006 11:33:53 GMT -7
"I have a '96 model, but it's not from the custom shop. The custom shop ones are just a little bit nicer everywhere, to me anyway." Yep! Every time! "I did get rid of the electronics 'cause one of the lace sensors freaked out on me. I put some Fralins in it and couldn't be happier." That's part of what I'm saying. He's a strange dude sometimes who gets swayed by new things that he eventaully rejects, and so did you! "As for other aspects of the guitar such as the extra fret, 9.5" radius, headstock truss rod adjustment, those are all nice practical things in my opinion. These guitars were never meant to be exact replicas of Blackie. Improvements were requested by Eric for the signature model. They make 'em that way because that's how he likes them, and they are great guitars. " Practical is almost no part of actual sales appeal. I'd like to believe it is, but it's not. Authenticity is now driving sales, as evidenced in the stupid numbers that original and exact Custom Shop replication guitars are commanding. The Clapton model is an "OK"guitar, not a great one. "I am sure that Fender sells a TON of them just the way they are." No. Dealer network numbers show that sales of this guitar along with the Mark Knopfler model are way below projected sales. I'm a former franchised dealer of Fender and still have access to sales numbers. "The custom shop is building 275 exact replicas of Blackie to be released on Nov. 24th. They are supposedly going to be $25,000 ea. If I was rich I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Here's a link for info on Eric's stuff." THAT will predictably be a great guitar. Too expensive? yes. Sold out? yes. You say if you were rich you'd buy one in a heartbeat? That's the magical evidence right there, my friend! Lots of guys are and will! Probelm is with these exact replicas is that every nick and gouge will be represented, and that's not what Custom Shop had to do to meet mass appeal! That's over the top. All they needed to do is create "Blackie" or "Brownie" in an original NOS or Closet Classic form, and the marketing appeal would be awesome! Imagine playing Brownie with everything new, functional and totally playable, and sounding like a 56 Strat should sound, and feeling like it too! And for around 3-4G?? I'm in, and chances are so would you be!
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 15, 2006 11:40:44 GMT -7
Clapton said in an interview that he and Jack both drug out their old Marshalls during Cream rehearsals. They both preferred their new gear. Bruce I can see but Clapton surprised me.[/quote Billy, I feel the same way. Jack's tone never was great. He plays a crazy mid boosted bass EQ that no bass player I've ever talked to understands. But as for Eric, I'm with you. He's learned to appreicate other tones, and that's good. I liked the narrow panel tweed Twin for a lot of things he does, but wow! It's NOT the JTM -45!
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Post by quinto on Oct 15, 2006 13:12:37 GMT -7
tele1962, I have to disagree. My Clapton Strat isn't just good, It's bad arse. I love it and will never get rid of it. It's a keeper. I think having the truss rod adjustment where it is makes it a lot easier than loosening the neck and guessing. If Eric didn't want to play one he wouldn't either. I don't think he let's people dictate to him what he will play. Fender does do a lot of strange stuff, but I still haven't come across a guitar that fits my style and needs like a good ol' Fender Strat.
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 15, 2006 13:52:11 GMT -7
To adjust a truss rod, you have to back the strings off to half tension at least. That's a step by itself. With some of the old Strats from the 50's and 60's I've done truss rods for guys ONLY when they endured a climate change. With that infrequency, what can it matter where or how accessible it is? From there on you have to ask this question: Are the new guitars more given to needing this sort of attention and why? The other part is that like the bullet truss rods of the 70's, they were goofy looking to boot! The fact the bullet was needed for frequent access because of the guitars themselves was the main beef.
Truthfully, on principle you and I agree. Nothing serves my purpose as well as a good ol 'Strat either. That's why I play good 'ol Strats. Aside from good 'ol Strats, I couldn't care less for the souped up, mid-boosted, noiseless, humbucked, lace-sensored, bullet truss-rodded, buy it on E-bay with free gig bag models out there.
Those arent 'the "good 'ol ones" !
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Post by quinto on Oct 15, 2006 19:23:09 GMT -7
To adjust a truss rod, you have to back the strings off to half tension at least. That's a step by itself. With some of the old Strats from the 50's and 60's I've done truss rods for guys ONLY when they endured a climate change. With that infrequency, what can it matter where or how accessible it is? From there on you have to ask this question: Are the new guitars more given to needing this sort of attention and why? The other part is that like the bullet truss rods of the 70's, they were goofy looking to boot! The fact the bullet was needed for frequent access because of the guitars themselves was the main beef. Truthfully, on principle you and I agree. Nothing serves my purpose as well as a good ol 'Strat either. That's why I play good 'ol Strats. Aside from good 'ol Strats, I couldn't care less for the souped up, mid-boosted, noiseless, humbucked, lace-sensored, bullet truss-rodded, buy it on E-bay with free gig bag models out there. Those arent 'the "good 'ol ones" ! I think we do agree. I would buy an old one if I could afford it, that's for sure. And I really only adjust it 2 times a year anyway. I did have a '57 reissue in candy apple red that was the BEST strat I have ever played, and It didn't kill me to adjust it at the heel. And yes, the bullets are kink of ugly.
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 16, 2006 8:15:12 GMT -7
It's interesting you mention the '57 RI. I had an MIJ '57 in Lake Placid Blue built in 1986 a while back that didnt' cost much $. It was absolutely one of the best I'd ever played or seen as far as Fender Strats go. I own original Strats from 1958 and 1962, so I set the bar pretty high. I happen to believe you that the 57 you had may have been a great guitar. But notice on HOW we agree? Those '57's both of us owned were simple, take it back to the original blueprints type of guitars. Sometimes no fix is the best fix!
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Post by Curt on Oct 16, 2006 8:44:24 GMT -7
I have a '56/'57 MIJ RI from 1997 that is an AMAZING guitar. I got it from GC with a hard case for $300 out the door Needed frets so I had in radiused to 9.5, 6105's installed and tinted Tung Oil finish on the board.....I now have $600 invested. How's she play? Butta ...sweet butta. And light weight too. I love the Master builts and am on the verge on getting one, it's way expensive and I'm wonering why...along with the '97 MIJ I have a MIM Jimmie Vaughn that is just scary good, how much $$ ? $340 with gig bag from a Pawn Shop !!
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 16, 2006 15:21:13 GMT -7
Right on the $$!! Those CIJ's or MIJ's are just a far, far better value than most people think. And they're licsenced Fender products. I'm not saying they're on par with a Custom Shop Masterbuilt. But wow! They sure make you sit up and take notice. The fit and finish really impresses me.
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Post by real oldster on Oct 20, 2006 2:27:28 GMT -7
The custom shop is building 275 exact replicas of Blackie... They are supposedly going to be $25,000 ea.Sometimes being a big guitar company is a lot like being a 'ho'.
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