Let's be honest, owning a Strat built by the same guy who makes Clapton's Strats is pretty damned cool. This is a phenomenal Stratocaster by any measure.

If you’re familiar with Krause’s work, you know you’re in good hands here. Since joining the Fender Custom Shop in 1991, he’s crafted instruments for players like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Bob Dylan. His approach is simple but spot on: a guitar should sound great, feel right, and make you want to play. That’s exactly what this Clapton Signature Stratocaster does.

The soft V maple neck features 22 frets and a modern 9.5" radius, giving it a comfortable, familiar feel with just the right updates. The playability is exceptional - satin neck finish, rounded fingerboard shoulders, and glassy fretwork yield an effortless and slinky feel.

A trio of Vintage Noiseless pickups gives you all the chime and clarity you want from a great Strat, just without the hum. It’s bright, bell-like, and responsive in all the right ways (this is a truly phenomenal sounding Strat it should be said).

Then comes the fun part. Roll up the second tone control, and the boost circuit kicks in. The core tone stays intact, but you get a noticeable bump in output and extra body without things getting muddy or overly mid-heavy. Compared to the standard production EC Strat, this boost feels cleaner, more transparent, and surprisingly versatile. Honestly, it’s one of those features that makes you wonder why every Strat doesn’t come wired this way.