This guy is so interesting to watch. I look in awe of how good this young man is already. His phrasing is elegant, yet powerful. He has such fluidity in his playing. Its a beautiful thing to watch. He makes it look like something we all could play, but can't. I'm hooked.
His muting is just as impressive. He had the Hendrix thumb going on for the low strings, but look how much he uses his picking fingers and flesh to mute non played notes. Amazing.
My .02: Chris is indeed a fine player... period. However there are oodles (how many makes an oodle?? I'm not sure...) of really great players doing videos here on YT. My biggest complaint about Chris is that he has extended solo segments in nearly all of his videos which get in the way of the subject matter. He should keep the solos short and sweet and PUT THE EMPHASIS ON THE TOPIC TO BE COVERED!! I can say this as I myself am a fine blues/jazz guy that played semi-professionally for well over 40 years, At 73, my skills are ho-hum as I don't play out and don't even practice much. The old rule is: practice, practice, practice... sorry, that's off topic but often needs to be said to younger players. Cheers!
Was just thinking the same! The original series theme quite different to Chris version, although there was a Mel Gibson movie remake so maybe thats where it pays its dues?
I am reasonably new to finding Chris Buck on UA-cam. But man! I think he instantly became my favorite guitarist on UA-cam. His solos are probably the most tasteful of anyone else’s. It just feels like every note is played for a reason and with great conviction. No filler here.
Damn, this guy has seemingly endless musical ideas and melodies in his playing and pulls it off with so much style. Just a delight. I'd LOVE to hear a full album of instrumental jams. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Clapton is my number 1. With that said, I bought the custom shop strat years ago and personally it did not jive with me. It was a great guitar sound and quality wise. It just turned out I’m not much of a strat guy. Kind of an strange “don’t meet your hero” situation. Awesome work as always Chris!
I have an 89 pewter clapton that I've owned for nearly 20 years. Best neck I've ever played. It's heavy as a log but sounds incredible. I've owned newer clapton strats over the years and the necks have absolutely changed multiple times as his own preferences have changed. The newer carton strats have a much thinner neck profile than the early ones.
Great Video! I actually own a 2007 Clapton Signature Strat (just the regular production version, not the high end $4k custom shop version), I bought it used years ago because Clapton's music is the reason I wanted to learn to play in the first place. I like the guitar, and watching an advanced player like you be able to get the most out of the electronics, I think it does live up to the hype. However, I also have a 2000's Mexican strat (my first guitar) and I have to say in terms of playability I like it better because it uses jumbo frets. The Clapton Strat uses small vintage frets, and while they have advantages, I feel like you have to fight the guitar to really bend the strings (especially if you want to add vibrato to the top of a string bend like Clapton does sometimes). Playing the Clapton Strat gives me a newfound respect for Clapton's ability to do what he does on stage, and for me it was already pretty high. Some of his 80's live shows using Lace Sensors (Live at Montreux '85 or '86) are mind-melting in terms of his ability or tone.
I just bought one two weeks ago....yes it is worth the hype. Not your typical strat by any means. And that is why I love it. Great video Chris. I just uploaded a shootout between this and 4 other black s types. Everytime I listen back to it I can't believe how much more output the Eric Clapton Strat has even with the mid boost completely off. And you hit the nail on the head with the comment about being able to get his tone with just the guitar. It really does. Cheers Chris, keep the great content coming!
Essentially the boost circuit is on all the time. Take the battery out and the guitar is silent. Leave the jack in and the battery will pretty drain quickly. I have an Ibanez SA I rewired with LSs and TXB - the same circuit minus the mid boost - and the Clapton is way louder into an amp. Up to the level of a modern high output humbucker.
I’ve never been this early! I can’t stress enough how good at soloing you are! You are one of the best guitar players ever! That is a *very* nice guitar! 🎸🤘
Having owned my fair share of Strats, including the production Clapton model, and custom shop models I'm looking forward to sitting down with a glass of bourbon tonight after work to hear your take. I found them very versatile.
Eric Clapton Stratocaster? In the intro I saw a some dude killing it on a Chris Buck Stratocaster... that guitar never sounded so good.. thank you so much for this.
I bought a used '91 in green back in 1995. I've played hundreds of shows with it. It's beat. Paint has bubbled and chipped off in places. It's been refretted. I've swapped pickups and am in the process of putting the original lace sensors back in it. It's still my favourite electric guitar in the world. I saw him play the green one on tv (David Sanborn's Night Music tv show), dreamed of the green and one day a dude walked into the music store I worked at to trade it in. I'm very lucky to own it. Clapton has never been an influence on me at all. I just loved the colour. The guitar turned out to be a treasure to me.
My first guitar was a Martin Stinger Strat. Black body with a white pick guard and maple neck/fretboard. The headstock looked like it belonged on a Jackson, but to my eleven year old eyes it looked exactly like Clapton’s Blackie. And that’s all that mattered to me.
I brought the EC strat in pewter in ‘88 when working in a guitar shop. I still have it, will never sell it. You playing is as always so amazing. The guitar does indeed nail the Journeyman and 24 Nights sound as you say. Please release an album of your Friday Fretworks jams, it’ll make many people very happy.
I ordered one in 1988 and got an early 1989. It is my favorite guitar out of the 40 or so I’ve owned. It is incredibly versatile and does everything well.
Love both my '89 Clapton Strat and my '92 Strat Plus both of which have the Lace Sensors. I fully agree with Chris that they look a bit "80's" now but I still think they are much superior to the Noiseless ones Fender do now. The other thing is the TBX boost and again Chris is right as its so different to a regular Strat. I think this is why so many Strat fans don't like the Clapton model. They try to play it tonally like a regular Strat, as of course you might expect, but this often frustrates them.
Lifelong Clapton fan. For me the Strat as he used it is defined by the reason he went to Fenders between 69 and 77. More of a Buddy Guy tone that suited the organ-centred sound of his bands post Cream. Once he moved on in the commercial releases after Live Aid as a pop star he seemed to be trying to get closer to a Gibson tone with all the signature model modifications. Some would still prefer he had returned to Gibsons but he seems to have preferred the Fender chassis for performances. He has avoided “carrying” the harmonic load in his bands ever since Cream, where the sheer volume and sonics of the guitar were the signature sound. Listen to “Slunky” off his first solo album and compare it to anything he did with Cream and you see what he wanted a Strat for originally; top lines stinging over a pumping and full rhythm section.
one guitar to play all the songs when playing live, really is the most versatile guitar. My 2 are the workhorses of my playing. i have a hardtail i am considering turning into a 3rd. mid boost with Kinman pickups, should be interesting. no idea where to put the battery though without a Trem cavity
@@mcd5778 so far so good. I mean the Kinman pickups in it are brilliant as is but just feel lacks punch. I've got V shape neck profile and it plays great
There are myriad of great guitar players out there, but very few are really original and "resonate" with me...you are absolutely joy to watch and listen to.
Chris, this is unrealistic, I bet you’d make a stick with a coper cable even sound fantastic! Great playing once again and awesome review! Thank you for what you’re doing! Cheers!
I've got an '88 pewter and an olympic white one from the mid '90's. They're both incredible strats. A glassy, pure tone unlike any others I've owned. I had a 7-up green one, but I sold it to a band mate who fell in love with it at a time when I was hard up for cash. I regret letting the green one go, but at least it is in a happy home. Thanks for reviewing this guitar. Most people don't understand the tone controls when I let them play them. They crank up the mid boost and TBX to 10 like a normal strat, and can't dial in the sound they want. I don't use either one very often and keep them in the detante position. It sounds great just like it is.
Hi - I just bought a 1998 version of this guitar and found your comment about the tone controls helpful. When you say the detente position what do you mean ? 0,for both or 5 …. Any help would be appreciated thanks….
Looks like we're slowly getting a tour of Chris's house. Lovely colors on the Clapton Strats even if purple is not to everyone's taste. But my favorite paint jobs on his Strats were the Crash Graffiti guitars.
I got to play one of the real crash guitars at Guitar Center in Hollywood. It never even made it to the floor, but I was friends with the store manager at the time. It was soooo cool looking and it played and sounded great. If I would have had an extra 10 grand lying around, I would have bought it on the spot. I also got to play the limited edition custom shop "Brownie", the limited edition Jeff Beck Esquire, and the limited edition Clapton 335. They were all $10,000 guitars, and they were all worth it. Especially "Brownie". Best strat I ever played. I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time more often than anyone has a right to hope.
My first electric guitar was a Fender Strat Plus from ca 89/90, a guitar very much inspired by Claptons signature. It has the Wilkinson hardware system, the Gold Lace Sensor pickup and even the mid-boost in the circuit. I still have it, and it has served me well for over 30 years. I never got really to grips with the neck, but it sounds good and has been a solid investment. Oh, and the color is absolutely lovely. "Midnight Wine".
Wow, those tones sound amazing. Brought me back to my youth when my mom played Clapton on Sunday mornings, when my dad was training for the marathons. I hear you can now buy this circuit, wiring harnass seperately. So you can mod your own strat to fit this. I had no idea you had route out a part for the circuit board as well though. Something to keep in mind for a future build.
The proto type Ferrari red can be seen on a video clapton and friends…hence the prototype had a db boost of 12db….clapton wanted a higher output eventually the got it all the way to 25 db…as it still stands great video on this Buck…
Did your homework on this one - good video. If the battery is anything like my old Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Plus EX or my Taylor T5, as long as you unplug when not in use, the battery will last forever! I wouldn’t worry about it (like strings, you’ll hear a small change way before it’s dead too)
This is interesting to me. In the early-mid nineties, Fender was making some revisions to the Clapton signature series and Blackie was at Fender HQ in Scottsdale for measurements and analysis. At the time, my dad was a division head at Fender, and he sometimes took me to work with him. So, uh... I got to play Blackie when I was 12, and this model is partly why.
I played that 2001 when it was new and it's still one of the greatest Strats I've ever played but I was a broke teenager and couldn't afford it. I'd highly recommend it though and I generally don't like maple fretboards but man that thing felt amazing.
I own three Clapton Models. Two older ones with the Lace Sensor pickups and one newer one in Mercedes Blue with Noiseless Pickups with a Flame Maple neck.
Mine is a killer machine. Love so much the preamp, the V shape neck the lace sensor pickups, and of course in black. You can play everything on this guitar. What an intro as always !!!!!
I had a Buddy Guy signature from the artist series. Was almost the same with Lace Sensors etc. SUPERB guitar. One I should have kept. It didn't sound quite as good as this for some reason though 🤣
My 2001 was super versatile! The battery was never a problem. Lasted ridiculously ling time. The clean tones were also great. With mid boost down it great tones for R&B and funk. Hope you enjoy your rejuvenated EC!
I'm a big fan of the Lace pickups. I have a set on a 40th Anniversary Strat which also has a built-in Roland. The Laces have a unique sound that is still very Strat-like but with a character of their own that is very pleasant as you so beautifully demonstrated. Worth the hype- I think so. My brother has an original EC Strat and it sounds and playes beautifully.
Excellent video Chris. I have a 1998 "Powerhouse" Strat, which is basically a Mexican made version of this..... Less boost, no TBX, not a V neck. I've had the mod done to give it the 25dB boost, locking tuners and the trem blocked. It's taken quite a while to learn how to "drive" it....... You need to turn the volume on the guitar down to around 6 or 7 to get it to sound "strat like" as the boost is always running slightly. Once you've got the hang of it, they are an incredibly versatile beast.
The Clapton Strat is a great guitar. The TBX circuit and mid boost are both very well thought out and useful. I’ve always wanted one but cannot get past the V shape neck profile. Just doesn’t work for my hands, unfortunately, so I have never bought one. The post-2001 models with vintage noiseless pickups are, I think, closer to the vintage Strat sound so I’d prefer that. Lace Sensors are a bit brittle but that wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me if I found one I felt more comfortable playing. His sound on the Cream Reunion at Albert Hall DVD is outstanding and actually works well for those iconic songs. He was playing all Gibsons in the Cream days and you wouldn’t think a Strat would ever do the job, but it surely does. Personally, I wish he still was a Gibson guy. But that’s just me ...
I really enjoy these series of videos and its always a great opener to the weekend, you are a very gifted player Chris will defintley be hitting one of your shows if I find you playing in London, that Strat brings out a different element in your playing
I love v shaped necks because they fit the human hand almost perfectly and a soft ‘v’ is really comfortable to me. I have a 57’ reissue Strat with a maple neck & ‘board one piece with a soft v shaped neck. It hasn’t got the Clapton active boost but I have this via my boss katana amp anyway.
One of the most versitile Strats I own. I have 2001 Green one with Lace Sensors, just before the Fender changed the pickups. Having said that, I don't use the guitar much anymore, mainly when I want a thicker more modern or studio Strat sound (progressive rock for instance). Love the versatility and the neck.
@@3Torts I have other guitars I prefer more. I have an AO 60s Telecaster I use for almost everything. I use my AO 60s Strat for vintage Strat tones and Clapton Strat for more modern stuff (progressive rock).
I had one of the Blackie versions that I got when they were new, in 91. I sold it about ten years later to get an American Standard, and I don’t much regret it. It is very specific in what it gives you. I do like the feel of the neck more than any other Strat I’ve played. But the mid boost, which I think he put in to be able to get something like his Les Paul “woman tone” from Cream, has the exact sound you’ve heard on Clapton records ever since. It’s his sound, very specifically. I also don’t much like maple fretboards. That said, the lace sensor pickups were the real issue for me. They just don’t sound like a standard Strat at all. So yeah, you have to want that sound, his sound from that point on, to use that guitar. If you want to be able to sound like Hendrix or SRV, or anything other than Eric Clapton, you really want a more standard Strat. It is a cool guitar, though. One to have if you have several others and can afford it. It’s somewhat beefier than other Strats, but also modern sounding. It has a kind of “HD” clean sound that is very good.
Came for the intro and outro ...which I always do ...stayed for the whole show ..which I also always do....you have very well informed and interesting discussions ....and your playing ain’t too shabby either 😄. Keep on keeping on young man 👍😎🎸
Great video as always but this one is of special interest for me because I own a grey Clapton signature strat with Lace Sensor pickups which I love. To hear of the small series of a rosewood version made it even more interesting because I always thought that this would be nice, So I took a body of an old ESP strat I had and got myself built a rosewood version of the clapton strat based on it with vintage noiseless pickups and to this day this one is my favourite guitar.
I bought my 7-Up green, gold lace sensor EC Strat over 30 years ago new. It is the loudest and easiest to play Strat I own. I replaced the single ply pick guard with a laminate mother of pearl one, and the lace sensors were replaced with the new noiseless single coils. My main axe is an early 90s standard plus with lace sensors, and is a joy to play, but bring out the EC model and it is a game changer, such a brilliant and comfortable guitar.
Stumbled upon this thread a little late…I bought a new Pewter version summer of 1994 and still own it. Obviously love it, I almost went with the 7 Up Green one, but 24 Nights sold me on the Pewter. Paid $1299! Cheers
I really like the lace sensors, the 2001 fender noiseless pickups however never pleased my ears. But upgrading to Lace Holy Grails in a Clapton strat works really well if you want more classic sounding noiseless pickups.
I think the pickup preference really depends on the era you started listening to eric. I was a kid during the early 2000s so I heard the One More Car, One More Rider live album and the Cream Reunion live show and I love the sound of the fender noiseless pickups
I'm still Waiting on my Chris Buck Signature Fender Stratocaster!!? Ha! I say Ha. However, I don't think it Farfetched that one day Mr Buck could have a Signature Strat of his own!!
Yo, Chris. You don't have to worry about remembering to bring a battery. Just buy a multi-pack of 9V's and throw it in your guitar case/gig bag/whatever. They store for years without going bad so you literally have nothing else to go at that point except keep them stocked when you get low. 👍
I so agree with you that as soon as you dialed in that boost it nailed Clapton's tone of the 24 nights era. I have a tbx tone control in my modified Squier Strat, frankly I've hardly ever give above 5 but can see its value with the mid boost.
Beautifully played Chris. I recognised that tune straight away. I've got it on vinyl. If anything, I find your version superior. Bravo my good fellow. That's a nice guitar to.
I know the lace sensors pick ups very good cause I have a Jeff Beck Strat first edition. I like them so much. Love also my Clapton blackie with the noiseless, but the sound of the lace sensors is more original!
Chris, I like your playing, and I think your videos are remarkable. This one was beyond great. I’m an EC fan and disciple, and have been thinking of getting an older Lace-equipped Strat. This may have done it for me. Well done.
Your playing is fantastic and anyone who plays has to admire your playing and abilities. I've seen Eric since slow hand came out and only missed him a few times since then. The most recent was the Crossroads concert in Dallas. The performance with Peter Frampton was magical. Please go watch it on UA-cam. We knew watching it live it was something special. As for this guitar it sounds fantastic. The only problem is it's not in Eric's hands. He is and always be one if the greatest players ever to pick up a guitar. I guess it's now the cool thing to " bash clapton " and say you can hear any club band playing as well or not better than him... There's no accounting for really ignorant people. Social media doesn't help. This website is wonderful and I enjoy it very much. My strat hangs on the wall...I'm just no good and no guitar can save me from sucking at it ...
I picked up a 1997 example one year ago pretty cheap. It’s a “Blackie” EC signature model. Fender-Lace Pups, TBX, MBX, fantastic deep V neck and nice vintage bridge and tuners. The frets are medium too which I like. It’s awesome when you open it up and drive an amp with the boost! It’s NOT like your typical Fender Strat with Alnicos. It lacks that chime but the TRX pot adds treble to the neck position better then a conventional Strat. It’s a devil in disguise! It looks like a Strat but it’s a different beast. I think there’s a few types now. The Lace have been dropped from newer variants. Interesting fact, there was 97 or so EC guitars made with rosewood fingerboards around the mid nineties. Very rare. The Fender Strat plus has a similar circuit. That Pewter colour is beautiful. Mine is black.
Totally agree with you. It has more of a humbucker-type howl than a single coil chime, and yet still sounds different than your typical PAF-style guitar.
Hi Chris. I had a 1988 Clapton strat in Pewter bought for band use when they first came out. It mainly got used in the studio as I tended to prefer my American standard strat for live. The two guitars were completely different. The Clapton strats output made it difficult for me to get an ultra clean tone as it seemed to overdrive everything that came after it. I hardly ever used the mid-boost. I unblocked the trem which I used heavily to control sustain/ feedback. It was great for that. We ended up selling the guitar along with most of our gear when the band split. Would love to hear it again with my current amp and pedals.
Edge of Darkness! One of my very favorite pieces of music (and TV series). And you absolutely nailed it. Love your solos, but to hear you own one of Clapton's greats... Just wow.
I agree the battery could be a huge problem when you have a bad memory or casual like i am sometimes. I don't know though i just don't like the tone of these guitars to my ear its a modern sound, i haven't seen Eric get a 50s tone out of one anytime i have heard him play in the past 30 years. Thanks as always Chris your show is the perfect start to the weekend.
Brill vid man. I've a 1991 bone stock Pewter and it's becoming my #1. Your vid has inspired me to go plug 'er in! This is the best review I've seen on this axe.
I have had my Pewter 1990 Clapton Strat since it was new. It's my #1 (of about 30 guitars). I have since taken several Squiers and reshaped the neck and added the MDX and TBX booster. Also Lee Anderton thinks the Clapton with Lace Sensors is the 'definitive' Strat tone.
Thanks, as always Chris for your output on this channel. Who knew that signature guitars aren't necessarily replicas of the eponymous guitar? Probably just me, I guess.
Man, this world, shadowed by fear, uncertainties, and negativities, becomes a brighter place when I listen to your jams.
This guy is so interesting to watch. I look in awe of how good this young man is already. His phrasing is elegant, yet powerful. He has such fluidity in his playing. Its a beautiful thing to watch. He makes it look like something we all could play, but can't. I'm hooked.
you can't compare a UA-cam to Giants
Chris is as good as any giant with better finger tone
@@Stelly669 Bahahahahahaha....
His muting is just as impressive. He had the Hendrix thumb going on for the low strings, but look how much he uses his picking fingers and flesh to mute non played notes. Amazing.
My .02: Chris is indeed a fine player... period. However there are oodles (how many makes an oodle?? I'm not sure...) of really great players doing videos here on YT. My biggest complaint about Chris is that he has extended solo segments in nearly all of his videos which get in the way of the subject matter. He should keep the solos short and sweet and PUT THE EMPHASIS ON THE TOPIC TO BE COVERED!! I can say this as I myself am a fine blues/jazz guy that played semi-professionally for well over 40 years, At 73, my skills are ho-hum as I don't play out and don't even practice much. The old rule is: practice, practice, practice... sorry, that's off topic but often needs to be said to younger players. Cheers!
Really well done Chris. I enjoyed that.
That's what she said? 🤷🏻♂️
Hey Keith! Please help connect Chris with Rick. Would love to hear them talk music and gear. Stay awesome!
Seriously Keith! Where is this kid!? Why isn’t he killin it over here? I’m not talking about COVID-19.... where has he been!?
@@TheOdieD3 In Wales UK
Edge of darkness should become a James Bond theme, it has that vibe.
I second that!
Was just thinking the same! The original series theme quite different to Chris version, although there was a Mel Gibson movie remake so maybe thats where it pays its dues?
The original theme was used in a BBC drama series of the same name.
@@adrianhjordan1981 Yup, thats the one. Anguish on a strat
just watch lethal weapon original movies :D
I am reasonably new to finding Chris Buck on UA-cam. But man! I think he instantly became my favorite guitarist on UA-cam. His solos are probably the most tasteful of anyone else’s. It just feels like every note is played for a reason and with great conviction. No filler here.
I have to say he is one of the most intentional of players.
Wonderful arrangements, a true talent.
I agree with you.😎😎😎😎😎
Damn, this guy has seemingly endless musical ideas and melodies in his playing and pulls it off with so much style. Just a delight. I'd LOVE to hear a full album of instrumental jams. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Clapton is my number 1. With that said, I bought the custom shop strat years ago and personally it did not jive with me. It was a great guitar sound and quality wise. It just turned out I’m not much of a strat guy. Kind of an strange “don’t meet your hero” situation. Awesome work as always Chris!
I have an 89 pewter clapton that I've owned for nearly 20 years. Best neck I've ever played. It's heavy as a log but sounds incredible. I've owned newer clapton strats over the years and the necks have absolutely changed multiple times as his own preferences have changed. The newer carton strats have a much thinner neck profile than the early ones.
Same here re. the pewter strat. Still my favourite guitar.
Great Video! I actually own a 2007 Clapton Signature Strat (just the regular production version, not the high end $4k custom shop version), I bought it used years ago because Clapton's music is the reason I wanted to learn to play in the first place. I like the guitar, and watching an advanced player like you be able to get the most out of the electronics, I think it does live up to the hype. However, I also have a 2000's Mexican strat (my first guitar) and I have to say in terms of playability I like it better because it uses jumbo frets. The Clapton Strat uses small vintage frets, and while they have advantages, I feel like you have to fight the guitar to really bend the strings (especially if you want to add vibrato to the top of a string bend like Clapton does sometimes). Playing the Clapton Strat gives me a newfound respect for Clapton's ability to do what he does on stage, and for me it was already pretty high. Some of his 80's live shows using Lace Sensors (Live at Montreux '85 or '86) are mind-melting in terms of his ability or tone.
I just bought one two weeks ago....yes it is worth the hype. Not your typical strat by any means. And that is why I love it. Great video Chris. I just uploaded a shootout between this and 4 other black s types. Everytime I listen back to it I can't believe how much more output the Eric Clapton Strat has even with the mid boost completely off. And you hit the nail on the head with the comment about being able to get his tone with just the guitar. It really does. Cheers Chris, keep the great content coming!
Essentially the boost circuit is on all the time. Take the battery out and the guitar is silent. Leave the jack in and the battery will pretty drain quickly. I have an Ibanez SA I rewired with LSs and TXB - the same circuit minus the mid boost - and the Clapton is way louder into an amp. Up to the level of a modern high output humbucker.
EoD is Clapton's best work IMO. The tone and playing on that EP is epic. Well captured Chris, on that intro.
I’ve never been this early! I can’t stress enough how good at soloing you are! You are one of the best guitar players ever! That is a *very* nice guitar! 🎸🤘
Me neither, this is the earliest for me as well.
Having owned my fair share of Strats, including the production Clapton model, and custom shop models I'm looking forward to sitting down with a glass of bourbon tonight after work to hear your take. I found them very versatile.
Eric Clapton Stratocaster? In the intro I saw a some dude killing it on a Chris Buck Stratocaster... that guitar never sounded so good.. thank you so much for this.
I played an Eric Johnson strat with a soft-V neck years ago... I still dream of that guitar neck...best feeling neck ever!!!!!
I bought a used '91 in green back in 1995. I've played hundreds of shows with it. It's beat. Paint has bubbled and chipped off in places. It's been refretted. I've swapped pickups and am in the process of putting the original lace sensors back in it. It's still my favourite electric guitar in the world. I saw him play the green one on tv (David Sanborn's Night Music tv show), dreamed of the green and one day a dude walked into the music store I worked at to trade it in. I'm very lucky to own it. Clapton has never been an influence on me at all. I just loved the colour. The guitar turned out to be a treasure to me.
My first guitar was a Martin Stinger Strat. Black body with a white pick guard and maple neck/fretboard. The headstock looked like it belonged on a Jackson, but to my eleven year old eyes it looked exactly like Clapton’s Blackie. And that’s all that mattered to me.
My first electric too. Still have it.
I brought the EC strat in pewter in ‘88 when working in a guitar shop. I still have it, will never sell it. You playing is as always so amazing. The guitar does indeed nail the Journeyman and 24 Nights sound as you say. Please release an album of your Friday Fretworks jams, it’ll make many people very happy.
Can't tell you how much I love that you did Edge of Darkness as the lead-in...well done!!!
I ordered one in 1988 and got an early 1989. It is my favorite guitar out of the 40 or so I’ve owned. It is incredibly versatile and does everything well.
Damn you're still underrated as hell. Your tone and phrasing may be my favorite right now.
Love both my '89 Clapton Strat and my '92 Strat Plus both of which have the Lace Sensors. I fully agree with Chris that they look a bit "80's" now but I still think they are much superior to the Noiseless ones Fender do now. The other thing is the TBX boost and again Chris is right as its so different to a regular Strat. I think this is why so many Strat fans don't like the Clapton model. They try to play it tonally like a regular Strat, as of course you might expect, but this often frustrates them.
Lifelong Clapton fan. For me the Strat as he used it is defined by the reason he went to Fenders between 69 and 77. More of a Buddy Guy tone that suited the organ-centred sound of his bands post Cream. Once he moved on in the commercial releases after Live Aid as a pop star he seemed to be trying to get closer to a Gibson tone with all the signature model modifications. Some would still prefer he had returned to Gibsons but he seems to have preferred the Fender chassis for performances. He has avoided “carrying” the harmonic load in his bands ever since Cream, where the sheer volume and sonics of the guitar were the signature sound. Listen to “Slunky” off his first solo album and compare it to anything he did with Cream and you see what he wanted a Strat for originally; top lines stinging over a pumping and full rhythm section.
one guitar to play all the songs when playing live, really is the most versatile guitar. My 2 are the workhorses of my playing.
i have a hardtail i am considering turning into a 3rd. mid boost with Kinman pickups, should be interesting.
no idea where to put the battery though without a Trem cavity
@@AJS86 I'm going down the same path 😅 Any thoughts on your hard tail strat outright? Was thinking about getting one this summer some time...
@@mcd5778 so far so good.
I mean the Kinman pickups in it are brilliant as is but just feel lacks punch.
I've got V shape neck profile and it plays great
There are myriad of great guitar players out there, but very few are really original and "resonate" with me...you are absolutely joy to watch and listen to.
If Eric is watching he is probably crying at that killer intro.
100%.
Super on point
Chris too
Chris, this is unrealistic, I bet you’d make a stick with a coper cable even sound fantastic! Great playing once again and awesome review! Thank you for what you’re doing! Cheers!
Very nice! Loved this video my guy😁
I've got an '88 pewter and an olympic white one from the mid '90's. They're both incredible strats. A glassy, pure tone unlike any others I've owned. I had a 7-up green one, but I sold it to a band mate who fell in love with it at a time when I was hard up for cash. I regret letting the green one go, but at least it is in a happy home. Thanks for reviewing this guitar. Most people don't understand the tone controls when I let them play them. They crank up the mid boost and TBX to 10 like a normal strat, and can't dial in the sound they want. I don't use either one very often and keep them in the detante position. It sounds great just like it is.
Hi - I just bought a 1998 version of this guitar and found your comment about the tone controls helpful. When you say the detente position what do you mean ? 0,for both or 5 …. Any help would be appreciated thanks….
Beautiful Strat; I like how the lace sensor pickups look; they have a stand out vibe to them, very Rad! Love your playing as well
I just found your channel, and damn, some of the most inspiring playing I’ve heard in ages!
totally worth it. especially the early version
Looks like we're slowly getting a tour of Chris's house.
Lovely colors on the Clapton Strats even if purple is not to everyone's taste. But my favorite paint jobs on his Strats were the Crash Graffiti guitars.
I got to play one of the real crash guitars at Guitar Center in Hollywood. It never even made it to the floor, but I was friends with the store manager at the time. It was soooo cool looking and it played and sounded great. If I would have had an extra 10 grand lying around, I would have bought it on the spot. I also got to play the limited edition custom shop "Brownie", the limited edition Jeff Beck Esquire, and the limited edition Clapton 335. They were all $10,000 guitars, and they were all worth it. Especially "Brownie". Best strat I ever played. I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time more often than anyone has a right to hope.
they are my favourite guitars. enjoyed your music Chris
My first electric guitar was a Fender Strat Plus from ca 89/90, a guitar very much inspired by Claptons signature. It has the Wilkinson hardware system, the Gold Lace Sensor pickup and even the mid-boost in the circuit. I still have it, and it has served me well for over 30 years. I never got really to grips with the neck, but it sounds good and has been a solid investment.
Oh, and the color is absolutely lovely. "Midnight Wine".
That intro had my jaw on the floor. Maybe life's not that bad after all. Thank you.
Wow, those tones sound amazing. Brought me back to my youth when my mom played Clapton on Sunday mornings, when my dad was training for the marathons.
I hear you can now buy this circuit, wiring harnass seperately. So you can mod your own strat to fit this. I had no idea you had route out a part for the circuit board as well though. Something to keep in mind for a future build.
The proto type Ferrari red can be seen on a video clapton and friends…hence the prototype had a db boost of 12db….clapton wanted a higher output eventually the got it all the way to 25 db…as it still stands great video on this Buck…
Did your homework on this one - good video. If the battery is anything like my old Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Plus EX or my Taylor T5, as long as you unplug when not in use, the battery will last forever! I wouldn’t worry about it (like strings, you’ll hear a small change way before it’s dead too)
This is interesting to me. In the early-mid nineties, Fender was making some revisions to the Clapton signature series and Blackie was at Fender HQ in Scottsdale for measurements and analysis.
At the time, my dad was a division head at Fender, and he sometimes took me to work with him.
So, uh... I got to play Blackie when I was 12, and this model is partly why.
👏
An excellent memory sharing with your dad.
👍
😳 That is WICKED cool Sir!!
Wow. My man
Didn't you by any chance leave a comment at Tyler's video about Clapton's guitar with the same story? I remember seeing almost identical comment.
Excellent video and superb playing Chris.I.M.H.O. Hyde Park 1996 ''Old Love'' really shows how good this Strat is,along with a great player of course!
I played that 2001 when it was new and it's still one of the greatest Strats I've ever played but I was a broke teenager and couldn't afford it. I'd highly recommend it though and I generally don't like maple fretboards but man that thing felt amazing.
I own three Clapton Models. Two older ones with the Lace Sensor pickups and one newer one in Mercedes Blue with Noiseless Pickups with a Flame Maple neck.
You can hear the Clapton strat in all it’s glory when Eric played at Ronnie Scott’s with Buddy Guy
I became obsessed "Worried Life Blues" from that performance!
Amen
What an awesome guitar. It sounds just like Chris Buck!
Mine is a killer machine. Love so much the preamp, the V shape neck the lace sensor pickups, and of course in black. You can play everything on this guitar. What an intro as always !!!!!
Wow that first jam reminds me of Nick Johnston, a monster strat player. Ace as always.
I had a Buddy Guy signature from the artist series. Was almost the same with Lace Sensors etc. SUPERB guitar. One I should have kept. It didn't sound quite as good as this for some reason though 🤣
My 2001 was super versatile! The battery was never a problem. Lasted ridiculously ling time. The clean tones were also great. With mid boost down it great tones for R&B and funk.
Hope you enjoy your rejuvenated EC!
Awesome Strat ,great playing on this ,Cheers!
If I ever make it as a guitarist I want a signature guitar that has a built in Moog and a lexicon reverb. And a car battery to power them.
Remind me: 5 years
Roland ready is your guitar with a sustainer in the Neck
Fine guitar playing, Chris Buck. I enjoy your playing.
You have really great tone and feel. Loved it. 🤘
If I could play it like that, it'd be worth the hype.
Holy smokin tone and playing madness here! Man!!!
Chris, it doesn't matter if you play on a Clapton-Signature-Model, your orig. '62 Strat, or my '62 Strat-Replica, all of them would sound insane !
I'm a big fan of the Lace pickups. I have a set on a 40th Anniversary Strat which also has a built-in Roland.
The Laces have a unique sound that is still very Strat-like but with a character of their own that is very pleasant as you so beautifully demonstrated.
Worth the hype- I think so. My brother has an original EC Strat and it sounds and playes beautifully.
Excellent video Chris. I have a 1998 "Powerhouse" Strat, which is basically a Mexican made version of this..... Less boost, no TBX, not a V neck.
I've had the mod done to give it the 25dB boost, locking tuners and the trem blocked.
It's taken quite a while to learn how to "drive" it....... You need to turn the volume on the guitar down to around 6 or 7 to get it to sound "strat like" as the boost is always running slightly. Once you've got the hang of it, they are an incredibly versatile beast.
TBX makes a big difference, but I can get a similar treble boost from a BD-2 pedal to even out the boost
I bought my first EC Strat in 1996 and never looked back ever since...I only use Custom Shop EC Strats now and I couldn't be happier!
Very nice playing!
I own one from 2012 it’s my favorite guitar to play def worth the hype
The Clapton Strat is a great guitar. The TBX circuit and mid boost are both very well thought out and useful. I’ve always
wanted one but cannot get past the V shape neck profile. Just doesn’t work for my hands, unfortunately, so I have
never bought one. The post-2001 models with vintage noiseless pickups are, I think, closer to the vintage Strat sound
so I’d prefer that. Lace Sensors are a bit brittle but that wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me if I found one I felt more
comfortable playing. His sound on the Cream Reunion at Albert Hall DVD is outstanding and actually works well for
those iconic songs. He was playing all Gibsons in the Cream days and you wouldn’t think a Strat would ever do the
job, but it surely does. Personally, I wish he still was a Gibson guy. But that’s just me ...
I really enjoy these series of videos and its always a great opener to the weekend, you are a very gifted player Chris will defintley be hitting one of your shows if I find you playing in London, that Strat brings out a different element in your playing
I love v shaped necks because they fit the human hand almost perfectly and a soft ‘v’ is really comfortable to me. I have a 57’ reissue Strat with a maple neck & ‘board one piece with a soft v shaped neck. It hasn’t got the Clapton active boost but I have this via my boss katana amp anyway.
NICE GUITAR AND VERY NICE PLAYING CHRIS..
One of the most versitile Strats I own. I have 2001 Green one with Lace Sensors, just before the Fender changed the pickups.
Having said that, I don't use the guitar much anymore, mainly when I want a thicker more modern or studio Strat sound (progressive rock for instance).
Love the versatility and the neck.
Why not as much anymore?
@@3Torts I have other guitars I prefer more. I have an AO 60s Telecaster I use for almost everything. I use my AO 60s Strat for vintage Strat tones and Clapton Strat for more modern stuff (progressive rock).
@@paristhalheimer Nice! I can't get over how much I like the TBX and mid boost
I had one of the Blackie versions that I got when they were new, in 91. I sold it about ten years later to get an American Standard, and I don’t much regret it. It is very specific in what it gives you. I do like the feel of the neck more than any other Strat I’ve played. But the mid boost, which I think he put in to be able to get something like his Les Paul “woman tone” from Cream, has the exact sound you’ve heard on Clapton records ever since. It’s his sound, very specifically. I also don’t much like maple fretboards. That said, the lace sensor pickups were the real issue for me. They just don’t sound like a standard Strat at all.
So yeah, you have to want that sound, his sound from that point on, to use that guitar. If you want to be able to sound like Hendrix or SRV, or anything other than Eric Clapton, you really want a more standard Strat. It is a cool guitar, though. One to have if you have several others and can afford it. It’s somewhat beefier than other Strats, but also modern sounding. It has a kind of “HD” clean sound that is very good.
Journeyman and 24 Nights, great! Now I see what makes his tone unique. Great video Chris, as always.
Came for the intro and outro ...which I always do ...stayed for the whole show ..which I also always do....you have very well informed and interesting discussions ....and your playing ain’t too shabby either 😄. Keep on keeping on young man 👍😎🎸
Great video as always but this one is of special interest for me because I own a grey Clapton signature strat with Lace Sensor pickups which I love.
To hear of the small series of a rosewood version made it even more interesting because I always thought that this would be nice, So I took a body of an old ESP strat I had and got myself built a rosewood version of the clapton strat based on it with vintage noiseless pickups and to this day this one is my favourite guitar.
That's awesome! I might get a green ec strat
I bought my 7-Up green, gold lace sensor EC Strat over 30 years ago new. It is the loudest and easiest to play Strat I own. I replaced the single ply pick guard with a laminate mother of pearl one, and the lace sensors were replaced with the new noiseless single coils. My main axe is an early 90s standard plus with lace sensors, and is a joy to play, but bring out the EC model and it is a game changer, such a brilliant and comfortable guitar.
Stumbled upon this thread a little late…I bought a new Pewter version summer of 1994 and still own it. Obviously love it, I almost went with the 7 Up Green one, but 24 Nights sold me on the Pewter. Paid $1299!
Cheers
Do you want to sell you lace sensors?
They’re not easy to find on the used market.
I really like the lace sensors, the 2001 fender noiseless pickups however never pleased my ears. But upgrading to Lace Holy Grails in a Clapton strat works really well if you want more classic sounding noiseless pickups.
I think the pickup preference really depends on the era you started listening to eric. I was a kid during the early 2000s so I heard the One More Car, One More Rider live album and the Cream Reunion live show and I love the sound of the fender noiseless pickups
Great playing an demo Chris! I love my EC strat its one guitar that can cover every base
I'm still Waiting on my Chris Buck Signature Fender Stratocaster!!? Ha! I say Ha. However, I don't think it Farfetched that one day Mr Buck could have a Signature Strat of his own!!
ua-cam.com/video/7nWRs7XSagE/v-deo.html
Fuck yeah ! Epic intro dude .. you just put me in a good mood. Malmsteen Strat review next ?
Ya know, it'd be pretty wild to see what Chris does with a scalloped neck...I second this request!
The intensity in that intro was...well, intense!
Nice !! Love the playing sessions where you go after the tonal differences. Obviously that guitar inspires stuff, so yeah, it's worth it :-)
Yo, Chris. You don't have to worry about remembering to bring a battery. Just buy a multi-pack of 9V's and throw it in your guitar case/gig bag/whatever. They store for years without going bad so you literally have nothing else to go at that point except keep them stocked when you get low. 👍
Yep that’s a bit of a no brainier as they back up acoustics, pedals , etc etc….😢
I so agree with you that as soon as you dialed in that boost it nailed Clapton's tone of the 24 nights era.
I have a tbx tone control in my modified Squier Strat, frankly I've hardly ever give above 5 but can see its value with the mid boost.
That guitar through the Soldanos sounded epic on 24 Nights.
Sounds lovely mate.
Beautifully played Chris. I recognised that tune straight away. I've got it on vinyl.
If anything, I find your version superior. Bravo my good fellow.
That's a nice guitar to.
Love to have one. Have to save up. Sounds great. Been playing 60 yrs. Love the demo. Great playing.
I have always love the sound and feel of the Clapton strats... even sanding my necks to more closely approximate the V shaped neck.
I know the lace sensors pick ups very good cause I have a Jeff Beck Strat first edition. I like them so much. Love also my Clapton blackie with the noiseless, but the sound of the lace sensors is more original!
Chris, I like your playing, and I think your videos are remarkable. This one was beyond great. I’m an EC fan and disciple, and have been thinking of getting an older Lace-equipped Strat. This may have done it for me. Well done.
It has a nice grind and grit to it that you don't hear on many other Srrats. Really nice.
This is why I wait for Friday...!❤❤
Your playing is fantastic and anyone who plays has to admire your playing and abilities.
I've seen Eric since slow hand came out and only missed him a few times since then. The most recent was the Crossroads concert in Dallas. The performance with Peter Frampton was magical. Please go watch it on UA-cam. We knew watching it live it was something special. As for this guitar it sounds fantastic. The only problem is it's not in Eric's hands. He is and always be one if the greatest players ever to pick up a guitar. I guess it's now the cool thing to " bash clapton " and say you can hear any club band playing as well or not better than him...
There's no accounting for really ignorant people. Social media doesn't help. This website is wonderful and I enjoy it very much.
My strat hangs on the wall...I'm just no good and no guitar can save me from sucking at it ...
I picked up a 1997 example one year ago pretty cheap. It’s a “Blackie” EC signature model. Fender-Lace Pups, TBX, MBX, fantastic deep V neck and nice vintage bridge and tuners. The frets are medium too which I like. It’s awesome when you open it up and drive an amp with the boost! It’s NOT like your typical Fender Strat with Alnicos. It lacks that chime but the TRX pot adds treble to the neck position better then a conventional Strat. It’s a devil in disguise! It looks like a Strat but it’s a different beast. I think there’s a few types now. The Lace have been dropped from newer variants. Interesting fact, there was 97 or so EC guitars made with rosewood fingerboards around the mid nineties. Very rare. The Fender Strat plus has a similar circuit. That Pewter colour is beautiful. Mine is black.
Totally agree with you. It has more of a humbucker-type howl than a single coil chime, and yet still sounds different than your typical PAF-style guitar.
Hi Chris. I had a 1988 Clapton strat in Pewter bought for band use when they first came out. It mainly got used in the studio as I tended to prefer my American standard strat for live. The two guitars were completely different. The Clapton strats output made it difficult for me to get an ultra clean tone as it seemed to overdrive everything that came after it. I hardly ever used the mid-boost. I unblocked the trem which I used heavily to control sustain/ feedback. It was great for that. We ended up selling the guitar along with most of our gear when the band split. Would love to hear it again with my current amp and pedals.
Edge of Darkness! One of my very favorite pieces of music (and TV series).
And you absolutely nailed it. Love your solos, but to hear you own one of Clapton's greats... Just wow.
My weekly Friday highlight!
Any bit of music gear saved from the bin is a good bit of kit. Glad you where able to salvage it!
I agree the battery could be a huge problem when you have a bad memory or casual like i am sometimes.
I don't know though i just don't like the tone of these guitars to my ear its a modern sound, i haven't seen Eric get a 50s tone out of one anytime i have heard him play in the past 30 years.
Thanks as always Chris your show is the perfect start to the weekend.
Battery lasts a year or more as long as you unplug your guitar when not in use.
Brill vid man. I've a 1991 bone stock Pewter and it's becoming my #1. Your vid has inspired me to go plug 'er in! This is the best review I've seen on this axe.
What an intro!👌
Solid intro.. 🔥
I have had my Pewter 1990 Clapton Strat since it was new. It's my #1 (of about 30 guitars). I have since taken several Squiers and reshaped the neck and added the MDX and TBX booster. Also Lee Anderton thinks the Clapton with Lace Sensors is the 'definitive' Strat tone.
Very Sweet opening Jamming it!
Definitely worth the hype. Best Strat I've ever played to date
Thanks, as always Chris for your output on this channel. Who knew that signature guitars aren't necessarily replicas of the eponymous guitar? Probably just me, I guess.