The Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster is Eric Clapton’s signature Stratocaster model, introduced by Fender in 1988 as the company’s first official signature guitar. It was developed after Clapton’s original “Blackie” Stratocaster became too worn for regular use, with Fender building a production model based on his preferred 1950s Stratocaster feel but with more modern electronics.
The guitar features an alder body, bolt-on maple neck with a soft V profile, 22 vintage-style frets, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, a blocked vintage-style synchronized tremolo, and active electronics designed to give a Stratocaster a thicker, more powerful sound. Early versions used three Gold Lace Sensor pickups with an active mid-boost circuit and TBX tone control, while models from 2001 onward switched to Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups.
Over the years, Fender has also produced Custom Shop and limited-edition versions, including Crossroads, Gold Leaf, Crashocaster, Daphne Blue, EC Grey, Antigua, and relic models.
