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A time-served demon of rock 'n' roll. Just like the artist it's named after, the Fender Custom Shop 30th Anni' Eric Clapton Journeyman Strat, Black has seen and done it all. This exclusive for 2018 model is available only for this year, so snap one up while you still can.
Excellent, industry-leading clarity of sound is provided by a trio of Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat pickups. Experience unparalleled definition in your playing while maintaining the classic rawness of sound that made the Stratocaster so popular in the first place. Fashion your own style with ease and comfort thanks to the 30th Anniversary Clapton Strat's soft "V" neck profile, making hand cramp a thing of the past.
Eric Clapton has used a Strat as his main weapon of choice throughout a glittering career with Cream, The Yardbirds, and as a solo artist. "Slowhand" is one of the most well-respected, successful guitarists in music history. We're not saying that the Stratocaster got him there, but it was certainly a gigantic help along the way. Capture Clapton's bespoke sound with this fantastic 30th anniversary model.
Product Ref: 108459
Incredible comfort to make your playing easy. One of Clapton's specific requirements for his Fender Custom Artist series Strats was a neck that would provide extreme playability. This is achieved by a distinctive, softened "V" shape on the neck's cross section, which allows your hand to perfectly sit anywhere on the neck. This is especially beneficial for players with larger hands whose thumbs have a tendency to sit uncomfortably over the top of the fingerboard. The wonderful comfort offered by the 30th Anniversary Clapton Strat gives you the ideal platform to let your electric artistry run free.
You've never heard the Strat sound as sharp as this. When Eric Clapton approached Fender to make him a bespoke Stratocaster, a vital requirement was a set of pickups that had both tremendous sound quality and removed unwanted feedback. They delivered. Vintage Noiseless™ Single-Coil Strat pickups deliver well-defined, perfectly precise tones typical of the classic Stratocaster sound. These arrive without any of the hum usually associated with old-style single-coil pickups thanks to the effort and modern craftsmanship that goes into making them. The classic tones of the past, with the sharpness of the future.
Tuning that stays firm, no matter how hard or fast you play. This 30th anniversary model features a vintage blocked tremolo bridge that helps you to lock in your tuning. Play fast, hard, and never be held back knowing that your tuning will stay solid and stable all the way through.
This is perfect for live performance, eliminating the hassle of having to constantly re-tune your instrument after particularly energetic songs. This also benefits guitarists who like to experiment with different tunings and keys, as this strengthening means you can tweak and change to your heart's content without the worry of dropping out of tune.
Endless tonal possibilities. The Custom Clapton Journeyman allows you to sculpt your perfect tone like you've never experienced before. TBX (Treble Bass Expander) Tone Control allows you to boost bass and treble tones, meaning you can add presence and brightness to your sound. Furthermore, a second tone control knob acts as an active midrange booster, which can heighten your overall volume by up to 25dB. This is a control system that gives you complete authority.
Chic and sleek. Stratocasters ooze aesthetic class and beauty, and this model is no exception. Black to match Clapton's iconic original Strat, the Clapton Journeyman is finished in beautiful Journeyman Relic lacquer to give an aged, played-in authenticity. Finishing touches are applied by a parchment-coloured pickguard to give the guitar a striking black and white contrast.
Fender describe this model as "one of the finest instruments to ever come from the artisans of the Dream Factory" custom workshop in California. Down to Eric Clapton's signature on the guitar's head, this is an instrument where every feature has had a wealth of effort and thought put into it.
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster is a revelation. The very first model in Fender's now extensive Custom Artist series, this guitar paved the way for a long line of models ideally suited to very specific genres and styles.
Clapton has used a black Strat for most of his career. His original model, not-so-inventively nicknamed "Blackie", was retired in 1987 (and went on to sell at auction for almost a million dollars). Fortunately, when "Slowhand" approached Fender to make him a new, bespoke model, the result was a hell of a lot more inventive than the nickname for his previous Strat.
Eric's demands for a guitar that eliminated unwanted feedback, was comfortable to play, and looked as swish and stylish as his original Strat led to the creation of this beauty. For 30 years it's been impressing and exhilarating Clapton fans and beyond with its unique sound and appearance. Embrace the sound that gave the world "Layla", "Cocaine" and "Tears in Heaven", and embrace it quick - the 30th Anniversary Clapton Strat is only available until the end of 2018.