James-Italy Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I won an Ebay auction for a 1987 Eric Crapton Strat in good shape for 795 euro (@850 bucks). http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2532986722 The guy said the price was way to low and wanted more.... I told him no but figured he was some Italian that didn't understand Ebay so I let it slide. Anyway, he's bugging me cause now he needs the money and while he said my original offer was ridiculous, now it works for him. So I can pick up this guitar now for the 800 euro. I don't like Strats... I don't like Eric Crapton... But if the deal is good I can alway buy it and trade it in on some LP in the future. Any views? My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBBPaul Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I don't particularly like Strats but do like Eric Clapton. Years ago when I was PRS shopping, I played an EC Strat. I almost bought it instead of the PRS Standard I was there for. The Clapton Strat is the only one I've ever played that I really liked. Needless to say, I ended up with PRS after all and bought a used G&L Skyhawk for those times when I really need to have a Strat sound. But again, as Strats go, I really liked the Clapton model. My 2 cents Our new and improved website Today's sample tune: Lonesome One Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 James - Just out of morbid curiosity, why did you bid on it? I've noticed the lack of a strat in your gear (at least that you mention). What is it you don't like? I used to be a "nothing but Gibsons" kind of guy until I got my strat, now it's my favorite guitar. Give it a try. Maybe you'll grow to like it. May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted July 15, 2003 Author Share Posted July 15, 2003 I've got nothing against Strats! I only played Strat copies for @20 years, except for my Steinberger mini-guitar and assorted Kramers/Jacksons/Charvel which I tend to think of as Strat copies anyway.... The Wolfgang has hot pickups, but is kindof Straty also in feel. I never knew that I didn't like them until I discovered Gibsons. You'd have to pretty much knock me out cold to get me to give up my Custom or 335! I've got a Tele that I really love so I've got nothing against Fenders. Recently I tried every Strat in my local music store, including the fake-aged-super-deluxe-3grand model (and a Clapton) and they did nothing for me. They just don't talk to me. I'd like a Strat for my collection cause it's got such a unique sound. And even if I don't play it that much it' would be cool to have it for Strat-only friends when they come over. I guess the Clapton is supposed to be pretty good. If I remember correctly, Guitplayer didn't like the pickups that much.... I don't think it's ever gonna one of my top guitars, but it WILL get played if I buy it. Just curious as to if it's a good one. My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O'Shite Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 As to not liking E.C., have you ever really listened to "Layla" (with Duane Allman!!!), Cream's "White Room", "Badge", and "Tales of Brave Ulysses", or John Mayall's Bluesbreakers album with Eric onboard, known affectionately as the "Beano" Album due to a comic strip character on a newspaper comics page in someone's hands on the jacket photo? (Hmmmnn... perspective is setting in, and we are fast approaching times when "album", "jacket", and "photo", in these respective contexts, will be odd and unfamiliar terms, like "phosphates", "soda jerks", "Victrola", and "electric torches"... ) Anyways, forgive the off-topic ramblings, you just surprised me, as I thought that you'd like some Clapton, considering your other noted tastes. And the Les Paul-through-a-Marshall thing can be pretty much attributed to him! Oh, enjoy the crapped-on Strat; some Baby-Wipes should take care of that! -k P.S.- Yer gonna have a lot of fun with that mid-boost knob and the three pickups! -k Oh, and by-the-way... I think that there's been two different versions, pickup-wise, anyways... one with the gold Lace-Sensors, and one with more conventional pickups, perhaps? -k P.P.S.- Now that I've seen the pics, I see that you're getting the gold Lace-Sensors. They're not deserving of all the bad rep they've gotten, they're just a bit "different", but nicely bright and zingy and clear, with lots of sustain; not too unlike vintage '50s Strat pickups. Your average non-player would notice little difference at all! And, you can adjust them more closely to the strings, without suffering from "Strat-itus". Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted July 15, 2003 Author Share Posted July 15, 2003 Kev- I just put on Layla to listen now. I can appreciate his playing- it's just he's not one of my favs. I really don't like that song Layla- it's not my style. I like the intro, but the song throws me into a funky depression. I don't care for what he did to Crossroads, either. He's great and all, but... to be honest- I liked Clapton the best when he played on a couple of Phil Collins etc. Pretty much the period everyone else hates! Guess I'm just weird. Eric Johnson slingin' a Strat in his early days speaks louder to me. Or SRV. Or Jimmy. I probably would have told the guy "No, I wasn't interested" but I've been listening to some of my old DAT scratch tapes of old unfinished originals and really dug some of those old Straty sounds I was making. Rythym, not lead. It's only about 10 months I'm working hard on this solo stuff so anything I listen to now from 4-5-10 years ago makes me cringe! My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipotle Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 I think you have to consider what extra you get when you pay the premium for these signature series guitars. Layla wasn't recorded with Lace Sensors and active electronics. If I were going for a preassembled strat, I would just get the made in mexico 62 reissue and use the extra money for nice pickups. They're all made on CNC routers anyway, why pay extra for someone on our side of the border to screw it together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O'Shite Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Chipotle- (Cool "screen-name", by-the-way... ) Oh, Hell, if I had the money, I'd just order a couple of Fender Custom Shop Strats with a long list of personalizing spec-requests. For less dough but still with great results, a Warmoth neck and body and all the rest of the parts needed from various sources would make a great "Strat-styled" axe! Oh, if he didn't use'm for recording, and I think he had in the '80s or '90s, E.C. did use'm for some live performences. That's where the Lace Sensors and the mid-boost shine, in lower noise and greater versatility. And, the axe was designed to please the guy who did record "Layla"... Oh, James- note that "Crossroads" wasn't on my list... -k Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 James, The Clapton model with the Lace Sensors and mid-boost probably is pretty stable price-wise... meaning you could buy it, keep it in good condition, play it a bit... see if it grows on you... If not, stick it back on e-bay. You can probably get as much or more for sure, especially if you're patient. I'm a guy who REALLY likes strats AND Gibson's. As I think you know, I have a nice LP Standard, a ES-135, and other Gibson "type" guitars including a PRS McCarty, Guild Blues 90, Hamer EchoTone, and more... There's "something" about a strat that to me, is different in feel and sound than even a Tele. (I've got a couple of different strats and teles.) Since you've already "won" it, why not play around with it a bit and see what you think. Try it through the "roll" channel of your UniValve with a 6L6, 6V6, KT-88, or 6550 in there. Crank the "gain" to get a "edge of breakup" sound and use your volume control to dial in the "sound"... I think you'll hear some cool straty tones. The "Lace Sensor's" aren't really bad at all... just not "vintage" sounding. If I was going to get a guitar with LS's in there, I'd want the mid-boost... I think you'll see there's LOTS of different tones you can get with this setup. Anyway, good luck with this, if you complete the deal. Who knows, a strat could "grow on you" if you give it a chance... if not, you know you really tried to like it! guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 One of the best feeling guitars I ever played was a strat, the body had been owned by Jimi Hendrix-I even got to play it at his former residence in Woodstock, N.Y. and as I mentioned in another post, I spent last saturday in the company of a pearl white, custom shop `69 model. But I`m real ambivalent on strats. To be honest, the custom shop model was excellent but it didn`t feel like something I`d necessarily want to own-didn`t `speak to me` either, the way some guitars do. I`ve never owned a s-s-s pickup guitar, I keep feeling like I should somehow, but the only ones I`ve tried that I like are way too expensive. Shecter has two-I think they`re called `American Standard`-I tried the koa one early this year, loved it but the price-forget it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 James, IMHO, buying a guitar with the idea of selling it to finance a different guitar is somewhat like taking a mistress with the idea of dumping her after you use her to meet another woman. It's effective, but lacks the heart and soul that should accompany the process. If you REALLY love the EC Strat, BUY IT. If you don't really love it, drop it. Dave Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I think that Clapton Strats are the best Strats (I also like SRV Strats too). They have great necks on them. I have Texas Specials on mine. The new Clapton Strats have the new noiseless PUs on them. Buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Mack Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I too, have never cared for Stats or Eric Clapton's music either (at least anything past 1970)but yet, I found myself buying a used Clapton Strat about 4 months ago. It has become my main guitar. I like the Lace Sensors & the mid boost pre-amp. It makes for a very versatile instrument. The boost circuit seems to work best when a single pick-up is selected. In the out-of-phase settings the mid-boost makes the tone a little too wooly for my taste. However, that does depend on your rig. The mid-boost really shines with the bridge pick-up engaged. I'm also impressed by the concentric tone control. I would say the one thing that suprised me more than anything was the neck. I think to a certain degree we as guitar players are conditioned to believe "thin is good" when it comes to necks. The soft V shape of the Clapton does make it a bit chunkier than the necks I was used to, but the shape seems well suited for my grip. There are some things that bug me about the guitar. The retro appointments look cool enough, but for the most part are a pain in the ass. I've already replaced the bridge saddles with graph-techs. A graphite nut and a trem-setter is next on the agenda. And I may end up replacing the tuning pegs as well. I paid 850 american for my unit at Dave's in LaCrosse Wis ( a most excellent shop.) So I'm thinkin it was a fair price. Don't get too caught up about the artist model if it's the sound you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Well, James, IF you're still considering buying the Eric Clapton Strat just to re-sell it and buy the guitar you REALLY want, I'll have to eat my own words. I just found myself looking at a real sweet looking Gibson Explorer (clear finish over mahagony, white pickguard, SD P-90 pups, but not a model I've ever considered) at what looks like it may be "cheap", so I could sell it, make a profit, and buy a Semi-Hollow Epi with the profit or even my Highway One that's stuck on layaway for a few months more. Maybe using one woman to get the one I really want isn't so bad after all. Say .. maybe I can trade my wife for the Highway One! James, sorry if I sounded ".. holier than thou .." before. I didn't mean to, and obviously it was also hypocritical of me. Many apologies (he says bowing deeply) .. grovel, grovel. Dave the Insensitive Dave Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted July 16, 2003 Author Share Posted July 16, 2003 Originally posted by Dave th Dude: Well, James, IF you're still considering buying the Eric Clapton Strat just to re-sell it and buy the guitar you REALLY want, I'll have to eat my own words. I just found myself looking at a real sweet looking Gibson Explorer (clear finish over mahagony, white pickguard, SD P-90 pups, but not a model I've ever considered) at what looks like it may be "cheap", so I could sell it, make a profit, and buy a Semi-Hollow Epi with the profit or even my Highway One that's stuck on layaway for a few months more. Maybe using one woman to get the one I really want isn't so bad after all. Say .. maybe I can trade my wife for the Highway One! James, sorry if I sounded ".. holier than thou .." before. I didn't mean to, and obviously it was also hypocritical of me. Many apologies (he says bowing deeply) .. grovel, grovel. Dave the Insensitive DaveDave- Don't sweat it man! I was gonna reply that "guitars don't get jealous and you can have as many as you want without guilt, ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet without worry" -but I've been really jammed between the dreaded "DENTIST" this morning and work. One of the fun things about getting old (38) is that the hair on your head falls out, the hair in your ears sprouts, and you teeth start falling in pieces...... grrrrrrrrrrrr! I'm not trying to speculate and if I like it I'll keep it forever. I was just thinking that if there is no love there, I can always "trade her in" on a newer model. That's a big grin with a chipped tooth btw Oh, and Dave- you were totally right IMHO. But only if I were only going to buy 1 guitar or could only afford 1. If someone is on a budget it is soooo right to wait for "the one" and settle for nothing less. If someone is a harem builder- well... you gotta cut them a little slack! Luckily, I've already got a few nice babes in the harem and one more mouth to feed isn't gonna break the bank. (BTW I had to delete one of your smiles from the quote because you used up the allotted 8 smiles!) My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles_rose Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Originally posted by Mickey Mack: I too, have never cared for Stats or Eric Clapton's music either (at least anything past 1970)but yet, I found myself buying a used Clapton Strat about 4 months ago. It has become my main guitar. I like the Lace Sensors & the mid boost pre-amp. It makes for a very versatile instrument. The boost circuit seems to work best when a single pick-up is selected. In the out-of-phase settings the mid-boost makes the tone a little too wooly for my taste. However, that does depend on your rig. The mid-boost really shines with the bridge pick-up engaged. I'm also impressed by the concentric tone control. I would say the one thing that suprised me more than anything was the neck. I think to a certain degree we as guitar players are conditioned to believe "thin is good" when it comes to necks. The soft V shape of the Clapton does make it a bit chunkier than the necks I was used to, but the shape seems well suited for my grip. There are some things that bug me about the guitar. The retro appointments look cool enough, but for the most part are a pain in the ass. I've already replaced the bridge saddles with graph-techs. A graphite nut and a trem-setter is next on the agenda. And I may end up replacing the tuning pegs as well. I paid 850 american for my unit at Dave's in LaCrosse Wis ( a most excellent shop.) So I'm thinkin it was a fair price. Don't get too caught up about the artist model if it's the sound you want.Mickey Mack.......... You point out here, the important aspects that were missing before. The Clapton strats have gone threw a few variations, but they do feature Lace Sensor pickups for the most part (not used on Layla by the way), but an active mid boost of 18 to 24db. Keep in mind, that many hot amps today have mid scoop switches, so some folks want less mids, not more mids, as this guitar can produce. If you want active boost in the mid range, then this guitar is pretty nice. They are also generally pretty nicely priced for an American Strat, generally around the price you paid (or Norman's Rare Guitars in Tarzana CA. has a few of them at maybe as low as $650 the last time I was in there). They are cool rationally priced guitars if you are into that sort of tone. Currently Clapton is using more noiseless vintage pickups and tweed amps. Myles S. Rose www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com www.la-economy.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/mylesr www.twitter.com/myles111us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 The time to buy guitars around here is just after the new year-maybe I`ll see if Fender Japan has anything worthwhile next January. In fact I was checking out some strats last night, and on my way out the door I saw a strat style guit by Aircraft-one of those mid-hi end makers that people seem to know here more than other places. I should not be looking at guitars at all, but we`re talking down the road a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O'Shite Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I think that the mid-boost is best suited, and intended to be, for fattening up lead playing; whether or not you're going for that "scooped-mid" sound. I've found that any kind of mid-boost, like a wah in a set position or a parametric EQ set for a fat mid-boost, should be before the input. This gives you that fat, boosted, hotter signal that will push the preamp's first gain stage into overdrive more readily. Then, any overall "sculpting", like the "scooped" thing, should take place in the tone-stack or effects-loop section, like a graphic EQ patched into the loop. So, no matter what, the E.C. Sig. Fender Strat's mid-boost should be useful, whether a bluesy overdrive, a Brit-grind, or a death-metal scooped distortion tone is wanted. Leads especially; if single coils will work at all for your style, then the mid-boost should be fine. It was intended somewhat for making a single-coil sound more like a humbucker; think of Eric going from Cream-era leads to Layla and later style "Blackie" snark-tones by using the mid-boost with the bridge p'up, and then rolling the boost back to "normal" and going for position #2 or #4. That's what the whole thing is about. -k Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 All good points. As an aside, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Clapton didn't play the leads on "Layla". I seem to recall that Duane Allman wrote & played the intro as well as all the lead/slide parts. If I'm right, then "Layla" probably isn't the best tune to reference... Just FWIW... May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 The Clapton Strat has a mid boost, but it is very broad. It is not like a scoop in a amp. It basically fattens upt the sound kind of like a humbucking PU. I bought mine used at Guitar Center for $495. Great guitar. Buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O'Shite Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Originally posted by NMcGuitar: "As an aside, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Clapton didn't play the leads on "Layla". I seem to recall that Duane Allman wrote & played the intro as well as all the lead/slide parts. If I'm right, then "Layla" probably isn't the best tune to reference... Just FWIW..."Hey, Neil! If you listen closely, a lot of the time on the song "Layla", Duane (who rules!!!) and Eric are playing lots of lines simultaneously, their different tones and styles complimenting one another while their leads and fills intertwine beautifully even though they're not "harmony" parts. There's a lot of serious interplay going on there. Lots of the time, Duane plays slide while Eric frets and bends. It's like two birds soaring and diving and playing tag; note the "bird chirps" that Duane plays at the very end by bouncing his slide rapidly on the strings way up high with a little- make that a lot- of "English"!!! That tune makes me feel like I could just cry, but with a smile on my face- not from being in a depressed funk. (NO offense meant, James- just a comparison- you can't ever judge someone's emotional response to a given piece of music, right?) I wouldn't use "Layla" as a reference for this guitar, either, but I would use it as a reference of where Eric is coming from in general. I was referring mainly to the contrast in classic, signature "Eric" tones, namely the Gibson/humbucker/Marshall/ dark, fat, round, distortion tones, and the later Fender/single-coil/Fender-amp/"Blackie" bright, snarky, clucky-percussive, clean(er) tones. You can easily go from one to another with that Strat! (Adding a wah and a Saldono SLO-100 and a little delay wouldn't hurt if you want the rig that Eric was running with live alot during the time that this model was conceived! At least, I think that was what he was using then... ) Anyways, it's all good, I'll just shut up now... ! You know, it just occured to me, I've never even owned any Eric Clapton, Derek', Cream, Yardbirds, etc. of my own, but I grew up hearing- and listening- to his stuff all the time! Funny, huh? -k Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted July 17, 2003 Author Share Posted July 17, 2003 Ok, u guys convinced me. I'm gonna pickup my first real live Fender Strat tomorrow or Sunday. Can't pick it up Saturday cause poor me has to go with my wife out on a friend's yacht http://www.turisticapenzo.it/images/foto/newpirata.htm# at Venice to watch the 50 minutes of fireworks shot over the bay for the celebration of "Il Redentore". Rough life I've got!! Eric Crapton Strats... Yachts.... LP's... one of these days I'm gonna wake up and realize it's all a dream by this silly old Florida boy. My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 James, You're living a "charmed life" my friend!!! Don't forget us "little people" when you're out yachting around... Have fun with your latest toy... and remember to tell the wife... Ummmm... THAT GUITAR? OH, I'VE HAD THAT ONE FOR AGES!!??!?? guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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