Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton "Blackie" NOS Masterbuilt Andy Hicks (2022)

Here we have a beautiful Custom Shop replica of Eric Clapton's "Blackie", probably the most famous Stratocaster ever, which Clapton assembled from some pre-CBS Strats in the early 70s. Offered starting in 1988, the Eric Clapton Signature Strat was the Fender Custom Shop's first signature model, with numerous others to follow in the decades that followed. With this signature guitar Fender and Clapton initially relied on the then novel, low-noise Lace Sensor Gold pickups, which were later followed by the Noiseless pickups. These are also used on this guitar by masterbuilder Andy Hicks. They provide slightly more sustain due to the weaker magnetic field, but produce a slightly higher and more balanced output signal. In addition, a midrange boost (0-25 dB) has been built in, allowing the Stratocaster's single-coil sound to be boosted towards a humbucker sound, giving the Strat incredible tonal versatility. Regarding the great look of the Blackie it doesn't need many words: hand-selected alder body, moreover, extremely resonant, with a noble, deep black NOS (New Old Stock) finish, combined with a white pickguard and maple neck. The fantastic maple neck features a wide-grain AAA flame with a gorgeous pattern on the bright neck back, vintage upgrade frets and a pleasantly soft V-profile that feels great in the hand. Played clean Andy Hicks' "Blackie" comes across as very open, tangy, pearly, clear, and with each change of the midboost knob another soundscape of Clapton's decades-long musical journey can be visited, even all the way to the fat, uncompromising sounds of his days with Cream and Derek & the Dominos. So we are pleased to offer you this dream Strat as a phenomenal combination of history, look and sound in mint, near-unplayed condition.

• Includes original case, certificate, spec sheet, strap, case candy.
• Weight: 3390 grams