Clapton Fender Custom Shop "Blackie"

You mean the one with the cigarette burn on the headstock? I wonder if they used the same brand Eric smoked to burn the wood? Lost a lot of respect for all concerned when I saw that.Probably will always be worth more than a standard Strat, but I can't believe that there is any upside to it. If you like the look buiild one yourself and play it so much that it looks old.
P.S. Is this a fund raiser for his rehab clinic? If so then I'll retact the above.

 

It's tough to say with a guitar like that as there is a limited market for it and the initial price of entry is quite high. The original "Blackie" was essentially a Partscaster to begin with (made from several different guitars from different years) so the real appeal to it, obviously, is the EC connection. The vintage guitar market these days is getting a bit out of control, but new guitars aren't faring as well. So, as an investment piece the "Blackie" is tough to speculate on, at least for me, as it seems to fall in an unusual category. Fender did a similar run of Jeff Beck's Esquire a year or so ago (the one owned by Seymour Duncan I believe) and IIRC they sold for around $12k new, but I've recently seen them for sub $10k (one for $8,500 even). Now, that guitar is definitely not as famous as "Blackie" nor is the Esquire as popular of a guitar (even though, IMO, they're much, much cooler & better sounding) and Jeff Beck isn't quite as widely known as Clapton so those factors could have something to do with it. Overall, a vintage Fender will continue to increase in value due to their heritage. The new "Blackie" replicas, while being rare in their own right, will probably hold a decent value and for big Clapton fans they'll be highly treasured. IMO it's a crap shoot as far as investment purposes go though, but if you really dig it and think it's worth it to you then the value is much higher.

Anyway, I don't see much upside to it other than, if as Pranucci suggested, that some or all of the proceeds go to charity. Gibson also did a small run of replicas of his ES-335 dot a few years ago as well and they sold for about the same as this Strat IRRC.

 

Its featured in the latest Robb Report. Looks pretty cool. Dunno if i'd pay that much for it though...

 

The Stevie Ray Vaughn strats are doing in the high $20k's now and we sold one at a guitar show last month for $28k. That guitar listed for about $10k new so I would think the potential is there. I personally know 2 people who have their orders placed. The prices for the vintage stuff has gotten out of control but it doesn't seem to stop as there are many investors who seem willing to put their money out for something you can touch and hold. Clapton will always remain a legendary guitarist so as long as production remains as claimed I feel there will always be enough collectors out there to keep the Clapton Strat collectible.

 

Thats a tough one, really. Like EC, im a big guitar collector. The ES-335 Clapton CrossRoads guitar that came out a few years back with a list of $12,000 are still worth $10,000-$12000. Very hard sale. I have access to one and they want $15,000 and cant sell it.


I was going to get a Blackie originally, but I thought about it. From people that actually PLAYED the real Blackie and the new Re-Issue, they said there are noticable differences. Visually, they claim you can tell the two apart easily at under 10 feet.

The Blackie that comes out today, i believe, is another over-priced relic strat. Heres the scoop:

June 2004, Guitar Center buys BLACKIE (Clapton's 1956 modified Strat) for $959,500USD. November 2006, they release 285 re-issues worldwide that list for $24,000 exclusively thru Guitar Center. GC stores are selling them for $20,000 +Tax. Thats $5.7M in gross sales. Figure these guitars cost about $5-$6,000 apiece to make is $1.7M. That's $4M left. They retain $0.30 on the dollar? That leaves a net profit of $1.2M -AND- they still own the original.

Its business and all 285 will eventually go. I am a very good customer at every local GC in my area and beyond. They all called me this week to verify I dont want one. Stores that said they had orders now claim they have none.

Personally, i can think of better places to put $22,000.

 

"November 2006, they release 285 re-issues"

You answered my question about how many are available.
Interesting that on FerrariChat we're talking about replicas. It's been a long time since I knew what old guitars were worth .
I guess I just don't understand the premium that they're asking for a guitar that EC never played.
What's a '57 Sunburst Les Paul worth these days, or a '56 Strat?

"The prices for the vintage stuff has gotten out of control "

You seem to know more about the market, but these aren't vintage guitars, they were made last week in Fullerton, weren't they? Makes no sense to me.

 

An original '56 Strat is worth a small fortune, especially documented. This year, on Ebay, an original 1954 sold for $58,000USD with a papertrail history back to 1954. Book value on a '54 was around $40,000.

I dont have my books with me, im just going from memory. PM me if you want book on any other axes and ill do my best to help.

FYI- Guitar Center is selling a Red Limited Re-Issue of a 60's something strat that Fender made for them exclusive for their anniversary. Its a Red Relic Strat with a price tag just north of $7200. I think.

Lets see--a red relic ltd edition for $7000 or a Blackie knock off for $22,000. Hmmm

 

There are about 25 of the Jimmy Page Les Pauls that he signed/played. Thats a whole different world. I know a guy that will pay almost $100,000 if you find him one.

Eric has number 001 and played it at Royal Albert Hall not too long ago. Sure that one is worth $20,000.

 

Is there a finders fee he is willing to pay?

 

YES. You got the line on one??

Bro--You find one, Email me. Ill make the calls. Everyone has to eat, including you.


PS-I was reading my prior post. Eric Clapton has the #001 "Blackie" re-issue that he played at Royal Albert Hall. Jimmy Page, I believe, has the first 3 Les Pauls he played/signed. Thats what ive heard. Can't confirm it.

 

I guess the question I have is how do they make it look so "worn"? My personal feeling - and I'm not a guitar player - is it's not worth much if it isn't the real deal. Is that a fair assumption? A finely-crafted guitar is one thing, but this is technically a replica of an old worn out guitar that wasn't even played by the artist in question.

RMX

 

I do not have one sorry. But that is awesome to know someone would drop $100K on a guitar just like that. I must really lead a poor and sheltered life.
If I ever come accross one though, you WILL be the 1st to know, trust me.

 

Just like some artists work with clay and paint, some work with wood. Thats all the guitar body is.

Its not techically a replica--IT IS a replica. I think its a weak, transparent way to make money.

 

I think these two comments sum it all up best for me.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-CLAPTON-BLACKIE-TRIBUTE-STRATOCASTER_W0QQitemZ140072309013QQihZ004QQcategoryZ47069QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Where's P.T.Barnum when you need him?

 

WOW!! $25K. Its good.......but not that good.

 

Personally I wouldn't pay $20grand for a guitar that someone took an electric sander and some cigarettes to. If clapton didn't even play or sign the thing then it's worth what any other Strat is worth that was made at the same time as that one and to the same build quality.