The Best Custom Shop Stratocaster: Our TOp Pick
Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Strat
It's hard to pick a "best" Custom Shop Strat, because they're all phenomenal instruments that are given a ton of attention to detail. I argue for the Clapton Strat primarily because I find it hard to bet against one of the men who personifies the Stratocaster playing style. If you don't want to bet on a particular player's signature model, the 1959 Time Machine Heavy Relic is a close second.
BEST FOR: Everything involving clean tones, smooth gain, lead styles, blues, and subtle articulation.
PICKUPS
97
BRIDGE
95
TONEWOOD
95
TONE
99
- Clean tones are absolutely unmatched
- V-shaped Maple neck is very smooth and easy to play
- Has an internal mid-boost circuit
- I'm always happy to see Fender Noiseless pickups
- The price is justified, so no complaints at all.
Why I like the Custom Shop Clapton Signature
When it gets to this level of quality, you really don't need to get into the weeds about specs and features. Every square inch of this guitar is top of the line. I do like the Fender Noiseless pickups, but it's not like pickups on other Custom Shop Strats are going to be inferior. Most of them are hand-wound.
The 1959 Time Machine Heavy Relic is my second choice.
So to make my pick, I tried to look at some of the more affordable Custom Shop Strats, in the sub-$5000 range. Check the price guide below, because numbers could certainly change by the time some of you read this.
But I think a lot of what I like about the Clapton Stratocaster is simply a matter of trusting the guy who helped spec out all the details.
With guitars that are this nice - and all the same model - it can come down to intangibles, and even looks. This is certainly the case with the Clapton and the 1959 Time Machine.
The Custom Shop Eric Clapton is my first choice, subjective though it may be.
Guitar Recommendation Methodology
For the Custom Shop, our methodology is a little different, simply because there's very little in the way of quality judgements or feature issues. In that case, the process is a little less tangible, though still informed. All of these Strats are solid instruments, so think about the following:
- What style/aesthetics do you prefer?
- Do you want a signature model, or something like a Heavy Relic?
- What are the granular technical details you'd like to see?
In this case, the "methodology" is more in your hands. But, to summarize my analysis, I like the Custom Shop Eric Clapton as it's a fairly popular CS model and has the stamp of a great Stratocaster artist.
Fender Custom Shop Clapton and 1959 Heavy Relic Price Tracker
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Chris Phelan on Electrics & Roundups
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