Eric Clapton Fender Custom Shop Strat Owner's Review

A few people have been asking about how the ECCS Strat differs from a normal Strat, so I put together this rather basic video (apologies for the edits) to cover off what makes this special.

[@riff1964]

I have had one of these for seven years, it was my first guitar with active pickups. After replacing the battery three times in as many weeks I was kid of annoyed until I learned that I had to unplug the thing!!

[@straightmanforever69]

Hahaha you so stupid Carlitos

[@Deliquescentinsight]

You provide an excellent insight into this guitar, versatility and elegantly simple

[@davidupton8100]

Many thanks Michael

[@franckrichard8077]

I ordered mine 6 months ago .... and still have to wait for another 12 months to get it ! I know I won't regret it, but hell !!!! it's a long way ! I will have to wait the same time (18 months) than when my wife was pregnant with my 2 kids ! But I am a really big fan of EC and it's a guitar for a lifetime

[@davidupton8100]

You are so right about it being a guitar for a lifetime, this one will be with me for the rest of my days. Worth waiting for...

[@tomcarl8021]

Townshend has been playing those for over thirty years!!

[@timdoubrava8064]

Thanks! Based on your review I just acquired one and it’s hands down the best finished most playable strat I’ve ever owned.

[@davidupton8100]

That's fantastic Tim, they are just a dream, I have great collection but if I could only choose one guitar to keep it would be this one.

[@mikekaylor1226]

My ultimate guitar. Retiring next year, and I shall have one. Thanks for the nice video.

[@davidupton8100]

Cheers Mike, enjoy it when you get it.

[@mikekaylor1226]

@@davidupton8100 I just purchased my Torino Red EC Strat. It's the best playing guitar I've ever played; that neck, WOW!

[@davidupton8100]

@@mikekaylor1226 That's fantastic, I'm glad you're pleased with it. Make sure you take time to master all the tones and outputs you can get from the TBX system too, it's genius.

[@mikekaylor1226]

@@davidupton8100 The mid-boost is unbelievable, I'm going to sell my Les Paul, don't need it.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I have a Clapton Strat truly amazing guitar . I had a custom shop Malmsteen Strat - great guitar if your a shredder but I can't . 🇺🇸✨✨✨🎸🎸✅✅

[@DeOmnibusDubitandum76]

The perfect Strat, in my opinion. I got my hands on the CS Ltd edition in Ferrari Grigio Silverstone. My favourite axe, with sustained for days. They must have matched the woods. And that neck... I also got the midnight blue with a flamed maple neck to die for. I used to own the Blackie and pewter artist series, but I prefer not to have EC's signature on the front of the headstock. Silly detail, but still. They got it right with this one. I wish I could get the sunburst and the almond green he has sported recently. I can't get enough of these guitars. I should sell one and get a 57 Twin to match the other. Enjoy yours in good health!

[@davidupton8100]

Wow, it does sound like you've tried them all, how do the none CS guitars compare?

[@DeOmnibusDubitandum76]

@@davidupton8100 Hi! Well, I haven't been able to play a masterbuild yet. Both artist models were great instruments. I think hand picking and matching the body and the neck makes a real difference in terms of sustain and vibration. It can be argued that with a bolt-on guitar that makes no difference, but I feel with these two it does. The necks in all four were equally comfortable (although I am partial to the flamed maple of the midnight blue). I would say that the CS instruments have more sustain and growl. One can play them unplugged and still feel how alive they are. Then there was the signature on the front, which I dislike, but that is aesthetics only I guess. Happy playing!

[@s2seltaeb]

Nice! I just got one in this color, too. I love the neck.

[@davidupton8100]

yeah the neck is the only neck i've ever played that compares with my ibanez's

[@phishphan5732]

Did unblocking the tremolo change the tone or affect the sustain? I have a wonderful pewter 2011 EC strat and I’m toying with floating the trem.

[@davidupton8100]

It didn't seem to make a noticeable difference. Maybe, just maybe the sustain was slightly less but again not that I notice. It's easy to take the block out and put it back in again, it's about 10 mins work so I tried it and didn't go back.

[@hansvandenhurk7497]

Great playing. What kind of amp or pedals did you use for this video?

[@davidupton8100]

Many thanks Hans, I use a Line 6 Helix Floor for effects and Amp and Cab modelling so I'm primarily using a Soldano amp model here with a mixture of settings for clean and lead.

[@JCEntertainment]

2 things. 1. you can certainly play 2. we have the same guitar :)

[@davidupton8100]

Many thanks, great guitar

[@charliemore2726]

excellent!!!! great video, just about to pull the trigger for torino red!!

[@davidupton8100]

Congratulations, it's one of the few guitars I'd never sell.

[@Chrishagen]

Very, very nice.. but 4 grand?? My pewter artist series is already perfect and got it off reverb for 1,3k.

[@1madaxeman]

You can add noiseless pickups and the 25db mid boost to your favourite any Strat...i've done the mid boost to one of my strats before but learned you really need to use noiseless pickups as otherwise you end up with a lot of noise! Am planning on doing it again soon but like the old Lace Sensor Golds so that'll be my choice with the 25db mid boost kit. Excellent upgrades to beef up a Strat whilst still retaining the stratty spank/twang. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIuUknSDrt2Xe80

[@multipipi1234]

Lovely.....but...my forgetfulness and 🔋batteries in guitars don't go together.

[@davidupton8100]

I know, I definitely fall into this category but to be fair the battery seems to last a long time. The current one has been in the guitar since a week after I had it which was around the time of this video and is still working fine with me playing the guitar around 10 hours a week.

[@multipipi1234]

Fantastic...i had the shop floor version which I preferred over the Jeff Beck. You have a lovely guitar.

[@Hotitalianman]

I hate Batteries in guitars.

[@s2seltaeb]

@@davidupton8100 The batteries can go for a long time. I have a few Clapton Strats, and play them regularly. I change the batteries about once per year.

[@bobdillon1138]

They don't sound like single coils Fender vintage noiseless in that strat are not single coil pickups they are stacked humbuckers.

[@waynepayne864]

nice review. im a huge cream fan but. i just dont understand this tone. clapton + dumble clone amp is like the ultimate tone to sound like an old man

[@Hotitalianman]

He is OLD!!!

[@arielcorrea842]

Los microfonos son hot Noiseless ?

[@Spekkfps]

noiseless vintage alnico 2