Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster Review – The Most Versatile Guitar Ever?

R. S. Rasnick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:19:03 +0000

Unless you've lived in a closet for the past 15 years, you know that Fender has had no shortage of Artist-inspired instruments. One of their earliest offerings is still one of their greatest, the Eric Clapton model Stratocaster. Though it's had a few refinements over the years, its versatility and quality remain extremely high.

If you're reading this, you in all likelihood already are familiar with a basic Fender Strat, so let's concentrate on the differences between a stock model and the Clapton.

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Fender Custom Shop 1960 Closet Classic Stratocaster 00
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American Fender Stratocaster Eric Johnson Relic
US $510.00

FENDER CUSTOM SHOP 56 STRATOCASTER HEAVY RELIC
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Lot Of 5 Brass Nut Blanks Strat Stratocaster Tele blank
US $6.38

Lefty Fender 68 Fat Head Reissue w Fender Tweed Case GC
US $699.00

NINTENDO Wii ROCK BAND 2 FENDER GUITAR WIRELESS BLACK
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Fender Rare USA 60th Anniversary Diamond Telecaster NR
US $1,025.00

Fender Roland ReadyRoland VG 88 package NEAR MINT
US $1,000.00

Rocky Fender Stratocaster Guitar Strat squier
US $275.00

Vintage 50s RI Fender Strat Tele TUNERS Tuning Pegs NR
US $24.11

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For starters, there's the electronics. Throughout his broad career, Eric Clapton has played a variety of instruments, including a Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson SG, a Gibson ES-335, and, of course, a Fender Stratocaster. So it goes without saying that Slowhand needs an instrument that can cover a lot of sonic ground.

While the Fender Eric Clapton model may look like a mild-mannered Stratocaster, there's a lot of audio wizardry underneath the hood. The Clapton Strat is fitted with an active 25db mid-boost controlled by what is usually the middle-pickup tone control.

Matched with the Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups and the master TBX tone control, this mid-boost affords this guitar unheard of tonal versatility. In fact, the Eric Clapton model Stratocaster is one of the most multifaceted instruments we've ever played, bar none.

But it doesn't end with the sounds. Clapton chose a V-shaped neck with a 9.5" radius fretboard, and this neck is just plain smooth. While the Clapton model favors blues and classic licks because of its origins, I would suppose that numerous shredders would find the shape and ease of play preferable as well.

We simply can't extol the tones and playability of the Clapton Strat enough. You'd be hard pressed to ever discover a guitar with the range of tones and ease of play as this one.

That's not to say we wouldn't have some suggestions should Mr. Clapton ask our thoughts. While the vintage-style tuners add an air of old-school charm to the model, we think that locking tuners would be a more appropriate choice for such a contemporary instrument.

We'd also appreciate it if the bridge weren't blocked, but this is a Clapton Strat, and that's how he wants it, so there's not much chance of that changing soon.

These niggles aside, the Eric Clapton Stratocaster is a world-class instrument and one we commend highly. Go get yours today!

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Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster Review – The Most Versatile Guitar Ever?