All user reviews for the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster (1990)

Made in U.S. model 89, vintage bridge blocked by a piece of wood, maple neck radius 9.5 "V profile 22 frets with the possibility of tilt adjustment, mechanical type vintage Lace Sensor Gold pickups equipped with active electronics 5 position selector pickups.

The potentiometers are not those of a classic Stratocaster, 1 volume, 1 tone and 1 TBX mid-boost control. Housing for the 9v battery is provided on the back of the guitar here or there the springs of the tremolo.

Note that the circuit mid_boost has a special housing under the plate microphones.
The lifespan of the battery is very good, I use an alkaline battery.

Alder body painted in black as it should for Blackie, very resonant when the guitar is played without being connected.
Body-painting does not look too thick and hints at the grain of the wood against the light.
If I compare with an American Standard Stratocaster 88 which is polyester finish which gives a lot of plastic, an effort was made by Fender in terms of quality paint.

The finish is excellent, the wood of the neck and body are of high quality.
The neck has a satin finish with the Fender spaghetti logo of the first models and of course the signature of EC is screen printed on the head. Comes with a holster Tweed whose interior is orange, a jack, a strap, a cleaning cloth and doc Fender.

I had a problem 2 days after purchase, the middle pickup has stopped working.
It was a dry solder on the ground point microwave, 5 minutes work and it's gone.
No other problems since, the beautiful 20 years ago.

UTILIZATION

It's a Start, so everyone knows what type of guitar in terms of shape, access to acute and comfort.
The handle is very nice, its form is suitable for fast play and accurate.

The frets are fairly thin, vintage-style but the radius it is modern.
Some sites on the history of Blackie mention that refrettage and sanding down was made when Clapton was using the Strat extensively in the '70s and '80s. Is this the explanation for the radius modern?

Soon connected, we get the classic Start sound and the microphone position and acute central sound of the album "Just One Night".
Simply adjust the amp settings to what is desired and adjust the mid-boost to give a little overdrive sound like a tube screamer but on this point the mid-boost is 100 times more suitable than TS and especially do not dirty the sound.

When I say does not dirty the sound is in the context of the use of this guitar and the wealth it produces harmonics. I have another layer without active electronics or TS gives a sound very nice.

SOUNDS

I play blues-rock sound and I appreciate that Clapton was able to distill with its strata during his career, for me this guitar sounds good and fits well with my style.

I have a brand Acoustic amp all tube and I keep mostly clear its settings a bit pitcher and I use the mid-boost for overdrive and sustain. The volume is very efficient and the tone, rather than on a Start classic and I think electronics should actively play a role.
The strata are typically sounds present and well above my American Standard Stratocaster.
The Lace Sensors are not noisy except some very high gain, but hey it's not a guitar made for metal.

The palette of sound can go (depending on the amp) to '70s-style EC today, SRV, Gilmour, Knopfler ...
In short, the Start sound that goes well.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 89, each time I plug it is fun and versatility of this instrument is very good provided that it remains in its field of use. You can not make it sound like a Start and a Les Paul vice versa.

Did you try many other models before getting this one?
When I bought mine signature models were really popular and I have had no possibility of comparison except with my American Std. Signature sounded better and handle being excellent it has contributed to the purchase.

What thing do you like most/least about it?
The mid-boost, the microphones, the handle.
Least, glossed varnish the handle.

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
A bit pricey at 89 but the quality is by appointment.
It seems that the quality is not the same today on the current models at the easel and acastillage.
I could try an EC signature Fender noiseless pickups equipped and I was a little disappointed with the overall sound of these microphones.
The profile of the shaft was softer than mine and much less flamed maple.

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?
Yes but only for a model equipped with Lace Sensor pickups.