Image: Tibor Pallerman, CC BY-SA 3.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Eric Clapton Stratocaster
| Category | Strings (signature electric guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Classification | signature model |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q5384324 |
Overview
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster is a signature electric guitar built by Fender in collaboration with the British guitarist Eric Clapton. Launched in 1988, it was the first Fender Artist Series signature model. It is based on the standard but uses a soft-V neck profile and active mid-boost electronics to match Clapton’s playing preferences.
Origin & History
Clapton had played a heavily customised Stratocaster he called “Blackie,” assembled from parts of several 1950s instruments, throughout much of the 1970s. When Fender approached him about a production signature model in the mid-1980s, the resulting design borrowed certain features from Blackie — particularly the V-shaped neck — while adding modern electronics. Several configurations have been offered since, including different pickup combinations and neck choices, but the basic specification has remained recognisable.
How It’s Played
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster is played in standard Stratocaster fashion. The soft-V neck profile is more pronounced than on a typical modern Strat and is often described as filling the hand more fully. The active mid-boost circuit allows the player to dial in extra midrange and gain at the guitar itself, which can drive an amplifier into a thicker overdrive without changing the amp settings. The tremolo is typically blocked off to avoid tuning instability.
Cultural Significance
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster is significant in Fender’s history as the model that opened the company’s modern signature programme. The success of the design encouraged a long line of artist signature instruments from Fender and from many other manufacturers. The model also reflects the broader cultural elevation of certain electric guitarists to the status of brand ambassadors, beginning in the 1980s.
Related Instruments
- – the parent model
- – the other Fender flagship
- Fender Telecaster Thinline – a related Fender variant
- – the contrasting solid-body archetype
- Fender Telecaster Deluxe – another Fender variant of the era
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Eric Clapton Stratocaster different from a standard Strat?
Mainly the soft-V neck profile, the active mid-boost electronics, and a typically blocked tremolo.
Was Clapton’s “Blackie” the same as this signature model?
No. Blackie was Clapton’s personal hybrid guitar built from parts of several 1950s Stratocasters; the signature model is a production instrument inspired by it.
Is the Eric Clapton Stratocaster still made?
Yes. It has been in continuous production since 1988, with various refinements over time.
Image: photograph by Tibor Pallerman, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).