FIRST IT WAS BECK, NOW IT'S "BLACKIE"...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:34 am

A new low for our good friends at the "Fender Custom Shop" churn-'em-out-while-the-traffic-will-bear-it factory:

Eric Clapton's "Blackie" replicas.

The Jeff Beck Esquire abominations were only $15K suggested list, with Sam Ash blowing them out at $10,900.00.

The "Blackie" Strats, with the usual "accurate" craftsmanship involving filthy worn areas down to the bare wood, chips everywhere, tarnished hardware, and now cigarette-burnt headstock and ReddyChipped™ decal, has a MSRP of...

$24K!!!!

But, you can get it at GC for $20,400.00, while quantities last. Is there no limit to the cynicism of Fender marketing?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:44 am

Hmm... I agree with you, Paul.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:47 am

They have to make up for the $900,000.00 +++, that they paid for the real "Blackie" somehow Paul.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:55 am

So, it was Fender who bought it at Sotheby's?

They should've rented it IMO. Much more fiscally responsible!

That price was plus buyer's premium, too!

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:55 am

The funny thing is, 99% of Clapton's best stuff was done before he even owned that guitar.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:58 am

Us old farts remember Clapton when he had hair and Blackie was in his future. I prefer his earlier stuff, too. And at this price only oldsters can afford the fake mojo, so whutzup with that?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:10 pm

Maybe the target market is Bill Gates!

At the end of the day, it's still just a regular, old Strat. A fine guitar to be sure, but no guitar is that good.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:16 pm

Guitar Center bought Blackie, actually.

This is just silly.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:19 pm

It's just an intentional factory blem...

PS - Imagine how tight quality control must be when assembling painstakingly accurate chips and dings. It's mind-boggling!

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:20 pm

A new slogan for Fender:

"It's like buying a new car with dirty ashtrays and torn seat covers!"

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:23 pm

For that sort of money you could just about get Clapton to trash your Squier Affinity personally! This is unbelievable **** from Fender IMHO!!

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:27 pm

Well, i take it there's demand for that sort of thing, otherwise why they'd do it...

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:31 pm

Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww...... URP!!!!

'Nuff said.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:36 pm

See it in all its glory: http://www.fender.com/blackie/blackie_home.html

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:28 pm

GTR Center (like John said) are the owners. You can only buy the Custom Shop Blackie thru GTR Center.