Fender Strat

This is the 1998 Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Artist Series, SN8953506.  This beautiful pewter guitar was Master Built in Fender's Corona, California Custom Shop.
Fender has been known worldwide for 50 years as a company with a spirit and tradition of pioneering innovation.  That spirit and tradition was newly revitalized in this project, bringing together an incredible collaboration of passionate guitar players and Eric Clapton to create the ultimate guitar for Eric Clapton and incredible guitar players.
The Clapton model has all of the features you expect from any Strat - a lightweight alder body, comfortable contoured design, sparkling tone, and stunning versatility.  The three Fender Gold Lace Sensor pickups bring that searing vintage single-coil sound without any annoying hum.  It also features a special soft V-shaped maple neck, and Claptons's signature on the headstock.  Clapton actually uses the 1998 series today as he continues to play live and amaze audiences worldwide.
This beautiful guitar is essentially a vintage 1957 reissue Stratocaster featuring a deeply contoured select alder body, a 1-piece "V" shaped maple neck fitted with 22 vintage style frets, flat 9,5" radius and BiFlex truss-rod system, a blocked original American Vintage synchronized tremolo, Gotoh/Kluson tuning machines, 1-ply white pickguard and three Fender Gold Lace Sensor pickups (the Lace Sensors were replaced with Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups in 2001) powered by an active MDX mid-boost circuit with 25dB of  gain and TBX tone controls, which helps increase the tone of the sound, opening up a wider tonal range that Eric Clapton desired.
I was fortunate enough to have purchased two of these guitars when they were released in 1998.  One I continue to play, but the one listed is in perfect mint condition.  It has never been played, the strings were loosened and the guitar was kept at the correct humidity value.  It comes with the original Tweed case, lined with Red Velvet.  It still has the owners manual, and the original tremolo bar and strap.  It is a brand new guitar, built in 1998, and is now available to you.  
Due to the changes that Fender made in 2001 and have continued to make, a guitar like this is no longer cost effective to make.  I contacted Fender to see exactly how many were released of this exact 1998 Pewter model.  They could not provide an accurate number due to the changes that were being made at that time, but did say the release number was smaller as the later years they haven't been custom built in the Fender's Custom Shop.
I wish the pictures could show how perfect the guitar is in, and the mint condition of the case.  If you would like more pictures or other information, please feel free to contact me.
I do prefer PayPal, but will accept all methods of payment.  Due to the nature and value of this guitar, it will be specially packaged and will be insured for the full retail value of the guitar per the Kelley Blue Book of guitars ($4150).  Shipping within the United States and Canada is Free.  I will be shipping it Fed Ex to insure excellent tracking and damage control.  International customers please contact me for pricing.  I will only send this guitar outside of the United States or Canada using Fed Ex International.
If you are a guitar lover like I am, this is an incredible instrument to play or collect.  Luckily I still have one to play and it is the only guitar I use. Thank you for looking, and if you are bidding, best of luck to you and bid with confidence that you are getting an incredible guitar that has never been played.
Payment is due within 3 days of the closing of the auction and will be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of funds.  Please allow 10 days for personal checks to clear.