How the Eric Clapton Signature Strat Saved & Changed Fender Guitars

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  • Опубліковано 28 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 70

  • @Wileylikethehawk
    @Wileylikethehawk Місяць тому +7

    My first guitar was an 89 Clapton Strat in 7-Up green. Still have it, and it’s still a killer guitar.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Love that color. Seriously cool guitar.

  • @tubularbill
    @tubularbill Місяць тому +11

    Eric Clapton is the reason we have combo amps. Clapton could not fit his Marshall Amp into the trunk of his car. So he asked Jim Marshall to see if he could make some sort of a combo version of his amp. History was made.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому +2

      I can’t tell if you’re trolling me or not, but either way, I like it.

    • @tubularbill
      @tubularbill Місяць тому +1

      @@TomButwin - no I’m being completely serious. I’m not trolling you at all on that.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому +1

      Well, I certainly didn’t know that about combos!

    • @mitcharney1
      @mitcharney1 Місяць тому +3

      Fender made combo amps years before Marshall. Fender began in 1946 marshall copied the Fender Bassman circuitry 26 years later in 1962.

    • @jessejordache1869
      @jessejordache1869 Місяць тому +2

      Combo amps were the norm. The other day someone said that Clapton was the reason we had the Marshall stack, and I was arguing it was much more of a visible component of The Who's live show, earlier, but whatever; I want to see a cage match between you two. The stack vs the combo amp are because of Clapton.

  • @cu6454
    @cu6454 13 днів тому +1

    Nice to see Eric get some love instead of all that bad press lately 😁 he's great 👍🎸

  • @dj_617
    @dj_617 Місяць тому +7

    Relics started with Keith Richards asking Fender to beat up new guitars for him.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Pretty much folklore as well as the EC thing. My point is, requests like that are what inspired factory relics...at least in part.

  • @adamqurabi65
    @adamqurabi65 Місяць тому +6

    My dream guitar is an 80s or 90s Clapton signature with Lace Sensors!

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому +1

      Yes! What color?

    • @adamqurabi65
      @adamqurabi65 Місяць тому +2

      @TomButwin Black or Pewter, but preferably in black. I love the Journeyman-era Clapton stuff!

    • @i8fish
      @i8fish Місяць тому +1

      Agreed. The 24 nights album made me fall in love with guitar. The black guitar is my favourite too. The white with lace pickups from his MTV “from the cradle” rehearsal is another favourite. One day I’m going to recreate it.

  • @boddumblues
    @boddumblues Місяць тому +4

    To my knowledge Keith Richard started the relic thing with Fender.....

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      That's folklore as well. I'll admit, there were others asking for relic'ed stuff. My point is that EC, and KR possibly, making those requests inspired the trend in some way.

  • @trevorgwelch7412
    @trevorgwelch7412 Місяць тому +5

    Jimi Hendrix saved Marshall amplification and Fender Stratocaster's from extinction . I own an amazing Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster .

    • @ElliotRose
      @ElliotRose Місяць тому +1

      Does it have the midrange boost built in?

    • @trevorgwelch7412
      @trevorgwelch7412 Місяць тому +1

      @@ElliotRose Yes . I use a 65 deluxe reissue and a ocd pedal from Fulltone

  • @deanlunn1969
    @deanlunn1969 19 днів тому

    I’ve 3 US Strats a Clapton in Torino Red a Fender 61 Vintage 2 in Fiesta Red and a NOS 2001 American Series Strat in Chrome Red all set up and fret dressed by my tech but even though I love them all The Clapton is my Number 1 is does it all and as a gigging guitarist it is a masterpiece

  • @stratjed
    @stratjed Місяць тому +4

    Well, Eric and Yngwie Malmsteen! As the custom shop was formed as a result of work with Jeff Beck first technically. And the introduction of Lace sensor pickups and radically different electronics was far more important than re producing out of production models and calling them signature models anyway. I always think of the Strat Plus with the Lace sensors and Roller Nut as the Jeff beck model without the endorsement. According to Fender the first signature was supposed to be James Burton but was BOTH Eric and Yngwie at the same time. Amazing that a guy as obscure to the world outside guitarists like Yngwie is actually in this conversation. Because of a reissued Stratocaster model that was actually much disparaged in its time. As with all things Fender, Tremolo is Vibrato on an Amp and Vibrato is Tremolo on the guitar.

    • @petegasper2806
      @petegasper2806 27 днів тому +1

      The Clapton signature Stratocaster is not a Stratocaster per se. The Clapton signature Stratocaster is the most powerful guitar in the world. It has 140 times higher output than a Gibson Les Paul. The Clapton signature Stratocaster has a very powerful preamp inside the guitar, it has stacked Humbuckers ( vintage noiceless less) that gets 3 times as powerful as active and measure 29,4 Khom in The Clapton signature Stratocaster. The Vlapton signature Stratocaster is always sctive, it does not funnction eithlut a battery. Yngwee Malmsteen got the first signature Stratocaster. A year before Clapton got the question about a signature guitar Fender had asked Jeff Beck a out a signature Stratocaster but Beck wanted to wait and released his dignature Stratocaster later. 14 years before Yngwee Malmsteen got the first signature Stratocaster Fender had asked George Harrison about a Signature Stratocaster, but Harrison known as ” The biggest fan of the Fender Stratocaster of all musicians ” could not make it because of a Beatles rule that Said no to sponsorship and inckuded their solo careers as well. George Harrison was happy though to be interviewd for 7 dags for the official Fender Stratocaster book. A book he got the look part of because of his incredible passion for the Fender Stratocaster. At his desto they accounted that Frotge Harrison owned 350 Fender Stratocasters that he had bought himself, George Harrison tried to buy a Fender Stratocaster in 1956 with money his parents had taken a lian for. But he was told the Stratocaster did not exist in England because of a US embargo. The Embargo was lifted in 1964 and George Harrison immidiately got his bellwed Fender Stratocaster. From the on untill he died he almost exclusively recorded electric guitar parts with a Fender Stratocaster. The reason you font ser the Beatles with Stratocasters is because Fender tried to brune The Beatles manager Brian Epstein in early 1964, Brian Epstein got Furulund At the brive attempt and forbid The Beatles to use Stratocasters in public. Howe er he allowed George. Harrison to use The Fender Stratocaster in The studio as much as he wanted. And George cerainly did that. After he got it in 1964 almost all Beatles songs are recorded with a Fender Stratocaster by George.

  • @SuperdangerStudios
    @SuperdangerStudios 2 місяці тому +1

    crazy. did not realize that. Clapton's influence is mighty.

  • @TheOrchardParkBand
    @TheOrchardParkBand 22 дні тому

    Nice video and great strat model. He saved Martin as well with his signature 000-28ec. I have one and it’s fantastic. Took me years to find the right one.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  22 дні тому

      Did you find a wide variance in the EC Martins? I’ve played quite a few and never really connected with one. Love the guitars, though.

    • @TheOrchardParkBand
      @TheOrchardParkBand 22 дні тому

      @ yes, a lot of variations. I live in PA and go to Nazareth yearly so i get to play many. Some new ones were great others not so great. I just happened to find a used one locally. This one plays great and has the lowest action of any of my Martins. I love the neck and the sounds. Really nice for finger style. Give one a try. I looked for many years for the right one. I also love the short scale.

  • @hailmaryrecordings8255
    @hailmaryrecordings8255 10 днів тому

    I have a pewter ‘88 Clapton Strat that belonged to my dad. He bought it new and it’s in amazing condition, even though He played shows every weekend with that guitar until he passed in 2012.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  10 днів тому

      What an awesome way to remember your dad. Never sell it. Such a cool color, too.

  • @michaelbrown5838
    @michaelbrown5838 Місяць тому +2

    I have an '88 Clapton Strat that I will be buried with when I die.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Hopefully that’s a really long time for now. What color?

    • @GuitaristDog87
      @GuitaristDog87 Місяць тому

      Brownie, good to hear that you still have your trusty EC strat! We used to chat quite a bit on the Strat-Talk forum, I still have my Pewter Strat that you helped advise me on purchasing!

  • @mvenuti1980
    @mvenuti1980 Місяць тому +1

    Yngwie.

  • @petegasper2806
    @petegasper2806 27 днів тому +1

    The Clapton signature Stratocaster is the most powerful guitar in the world. It has 140 times higher output than a Gibson Les Paul. This is due to it having a powerful preamp inside the guitar and the fact that its always active. The guitar does not Work without a battery. Its stacked Humbuckers vintage Noiceless ) gets 3 times more powerful in The Clapton signature Stratocaster and measures 29,4 Khom. Clapton according to his automatisk biography DIF not start to record with a Fender Stratocaster untill 1974. By 1982 he was completely fed up with the Stratocaster and played High gain Humbucker guitars for a few years, before Fender offered hin the absolute most powerful guitar in the world which he started playing in earls 1986 almost 4 years after he played a Fender the last time. The Blackie Stratocaster is by definition not a Stratocaster, its a partscaster as its put together by 3 different guitars. It was put together in 1973 but used Igor the first time in 1974.

  • @ericmathews7129
    @ericmathews7129 Місяць тому +1

    not so certain on the relic'ing on these guitars. His were never aged from the factory until pretty recently with the Journeyman Relic models. The finish on the necks of his early strats were essentially super glue, which aged very fast. So it was honest wear, not artificial from the factory.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      I agree. Not from the factory. My point on that was his request, as well as Keith Richards as others have pointed out, is partially responsible for inspiring Fender to make factory relics (like the Roadworn series) later on.

  • @bozeeke
    @bozeeke Місяць тому +1

    Nope. Incorrect. Yngwie Malmsteen saved Fender. That was one of the early signature strats, was a huge best seller right off the bat (may also have been the top selling signature strat for over a decade and a half) and basically started the signature strat trend. It's because of Yngwie strats selling so well that we have a Clapton strat, Jeff Beck strat, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Clapton signature models etc.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Clapton’s was first in 1988, followed by Malmsteen’s. I think the confusion comes in because YM’s had his name on the headstock from the get go and EC’s was added after the first year or so. I don’t have any sales numbers for either guitar. Would love to see them, though! Send them my way.

    • @bozeeke
      @bozeeke Місяць тому

      @@TomButwin I don't have exact sales figures, but it was often a comment you would see on online guitar blogs and chat rooms in the 90s and 2000s that his was the best-selling signature strat for years. Now as guitar style tastes and preferences changed in the 2010s and beyond, going from shredders being popular to bluesier classic rock styles making a comeback, I would expect that bluesy players' signature strats for example Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jon Mayer (when he had a Fender contract) etc., eventually came to dominate the signature strat market.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      I could definitely see it outselling EC’s during that late 80’s/early 90’s period.

  • @Foggjammer
    @Foggjammer Місяць тому

    I’m an old guy and I remember it very differently like it was yesterday. Yes Eric is god. But.
    In 1984 everyone was done with big hair metal.
    Enter Stevie Ray Vaughn with Pride and Joy and Love Struck Baby. Gone in seconds were the Kramer Barettas and hair spray. Fender Strats through Tube Screamers was and still is the way to go for blues guys. He resurrected a dying company and that’s how SRV saved Fender. You could feel the ground shake beneath your feet. It was that big.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Clapton was certainly NOT the only one to save it, that's for sure. SRV was a huge part of it, and as many have mentioned, Yngwie was too.

  • @mitcharney1
    @mitcharney1 Місяць тому

    I think you would have to go into the sales stats to prove what you are saying but you have a right to your opinion. Buddy Holly, The Ventures, The Shadows, Gene Vincent to name a few,
    Had pretty solidified the desire for a Strat. There are scores of companies that thought enough of the Strat to build their companies around copying the Strat. Clapton deserves his
    credit for the market but initially it was the (established) guitar HE chose. The Strat was good enough to save itself. Ask the 50 (or more) companies who copied it.

  • @petegasper2806
    @petegasper2806 27 днів тому +1

    Clapton did not have The Stratocaster as his main guitar untill 1974. Up untill 1974 Clapton main guitar was The s Gibson Les Paul according to Clapton auro biography. By 1982 Vlapton was completely fed up with the Stratocaster and played High gain Humbucker guitars for a few years untill Fender offered him Ghe most powerful guitar in the world. In early 1986 almost 4 years of not playing Fender guitars he starts playing his dignature guitar. The Clapton signature Stratocaster is easily the most powerful guitar in the world. It has 140 times higher output than a Gibson Les Paul. It has a very powerful preamp and The Vlspton dignature Stratocaster is always active, it does not function without a battery. This makes The Stacked Humbuckers ( vintage Noiceless ) 3 times more powerful in The Clapton signature Stratocaster and they measure 29,4 Khom. Howe er output is measured in volts. The Clapton signature Stratocaster with its powerful preamp has 17,8 volt output. The very low output Gibson Les Paul has less than 0,13 volts. A High output active pick up like the EMG 85 has 1 volt output At the most 1,1 volt output.

  • @paristhalheimer
    @paristhalheimer Місяць тому +1

    I often view the American Standard Stratocaster the guitar that saved Fender. It went a long to rebuild trust between Fender and guitar players.
    I own a 2001 Candy Green Clapton Strat. I still play it, but don't use it much.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      From a sales volume perspective, absolutely. Don’t have the numbers, but I have to believe there are far more American Standards out there than EC Strats. From an advertising and perception perspective, EC reads better in an ad, even if it doesn’t drive someone to buy his specific guitar.
      Love that Candy Green color, btw. Super cool.

    • @paristhalheimer
      @paristhalheimer Місяць тому

      @@TomButwin That makes total sense. For years, I wanted a Candy Green Clapton Strat. Finally, in Jan 2001, I was able order one. I had to wait a month because Fender didn't have any green bodies at the time. I remember getting the call, "You can have any other color next week, but green will take a month." I still own the guitar and love the color and the Gold LAce Sensors. Thanks for doing this video and reminding me how muchmy Clapton Strat means to.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      That’s so cool. You made the right choice waiting for the green. Thank you for watching!

  • @S.Lang7
    @S.Lang7 2 місяці тому

    Great info, thanks!

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  2 місяці тому

      Appreciate you watching! More new videos on the way.

  • @rdanalytics9197
    @rdanalytics9197 Місяць тому

    Yngwie saved Fender and Slash saved Gibson.

  • @gardonb
    @gardonb Місяць тому

    No source?

  • @EricClapton1945
    @EricClapton1945 5 днів тому

    No, it did not 'save' Fender.

  • @shanewalton8888
    @shanewalton8888 Місяць тому

    Two problems. Technically, the first signature Fender was Yngwie Malmsteen's, not Eric Clapton. Also, the Les Paul is not a signature guitar, it was an endorsed guitar. It existed a full year before Les Paul ever held one in his hands. He had nothing in the original design.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Malmsteen’s was second in late 1988 and I think it’s debatable as to what constitutes a “signature” vs “endorsed” guitar.

    • @Gk2003m
      @Gk2003m Місяць тому

      Malmsteen’ s did come after Clapton’s. But the nonsense that came from Fender about the Malmsteen guitar: “when he was 13 he saw a lute with a scalloped board, and decided he wanted that on all his guitars” is silly. It’s sooo very obvious that he got it from Blackmore, who was scalloping his own fretboards as early as 1971 (even John McLaughlin had not yet scalloped his fretboards) - just as he lifted much of his stage persona from Blackmore.
      As for the ‘compression’ of the Clapton Strat, it’s the worst tone he’s ever had. Indeed it sounds more compressed than hot, and it sounds *tiny* in a way. It’s not “woman tone”. Never mind the ridiculous price; I would not have that guitar for 20% of the price.

  • @tt__shin
    @tt__shin Місяць тому

    What I'm more surprised by is the fact that Fender allowed Clapton to just take charge on his signature instrument. Most companies nowadays just slap a name on their guitars and call it a day 🤐

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому +1

      I think it really depends on the company and artist and goal.

    • @paristhalheimer
      @paristhalheimer Місяць тому +1

      @@tt__shin which companies? I know Fender works closely with its artists.

    • @tt__shin
      @tt__shin Місяць тому

      I agree with Tom that some artists prefer a simple signature guitar, and that's what they’ll release. But there are definitely some lazy signature models out there.
      My main issue is that some signature guitars aren’t even good enough for the artists to use or be seen with, but that can also depend on the why they're creating the model.
      I didn’t mean to single out any specific brand-sorry for the misleading comment.

    • @paristhalheimer
      @paristhalheimer Місяць тому

      @@tt__shin there's a great book, The Fender Custom Shop book, that goes deeper into how it happened and changes that occurred between EC and Fender.

  • @pjanowitzer
    @pjanowitzer Місяць тому

    Only God can do all that....

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      I see what you did there.

  • @LollygaggerFX
    @LollygaggerFX Місяць тому

    But did he???

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      We’ll never know.

    • @LollygaggerFX
      @LollygaggerFX Місяць тому

      @@TomButwin yeah we kinda know…… not really.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Ah, it’s just a fun video with some history (and bold, unprovable either way claims). Cool pedals, btw! Fellow Michigan guy here.

    • @LollygaggerFX
      @LollygaggerFX Місяць тому

      @@TomButwin Ha! Thanks. Oh I absolutely agree ….. it’s just that anymore I don’t want to hear anything about Clapton. I’m so over him and his career.

    • @TomButwin
      @TomButwin  Місяць тому

      Eh, I get it. Had that video (and one more in the bank about Buddy Guy and EC, so sorry in advance lol), but it’s tough to squeeze anything out of those topics/players that hasn’t already been covered ad nauseam. New/different stuff is on the way for my channel. You should hook up with Premier Guitar, if you haven’t yet. I do demos for them and would love to check out your pedals for a PG video, if it makes sense.